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Optics Valley FOCUS
June 2025
| Optics Valley is a Committee of the Arizona Technology Council | | |
Dear Katie,
As summer heats up, so does the momentum across Arizona’s optics and photonics community. In this edition of the Optics Valley newsletter, we’re excited to share highlights from our successful International Day of Light celebration, introduce our newly established Advisory Team, and recognize inspiring leadership and outreach efforts from across the region. From STEM education initiatives to industry news and upcoming award opportunities, there’s no shortage of ways our community continues to grow and shine.
Be part of FOCUS. Send your member news submissions, comments and suggestions to focus@opticsvalleyaz.org.
To add your profile to the Optics Valley Directory, find optics resources, or for more information, contact us at directory@opticsvalleyaz.org.
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Successful International Day of Light Celebration
Optics Valley’s 2025 International Day of Light celebration at the Flandrau Science Center in Tucson was a vibrant success, engaging the local community with the excitement of optics and astronomy. Families, K-12 students, and science enthusiasts explored hands-on activities led by our phenomenal volunteers, enjoyed immersive planetarium shows on the origins of light and black holes, and connected with professionals from Tucson’s optics sector. This free event to the public would not have been possible without strong support from our sponsors and the time and energy of our volunteers and planning committee. THANK YOU for helping spark curiosity in the next generation of STEM learners!
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Optics Valley Establishes Advisory Team
To ensure Optics Valley continues to represent and serve the needs of the optics and photonics community effectively, we have formed an Advisory Team composed of trusted leaders and stakeholders from across the industry, academia, and government.
The Advisory Team will serve as a strategic sounding board to the Chair of Optics Valley, providing guidance, insights, and fresh perspectives to help shape the direction and impact of the organization. This group will support Optics Valley in its goal of remaining aligned with the evolving needs of the local optics and photonics ecosystem.
Meet our Advisory Team Members here!
| | Dr. Brian P. Anderson Named Interim Dean of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences | | |
Dr. Brian P. Anderson has been named Interim Dean of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. A faculty member since 2001, Anderson is a renowned expert in Bose–Einstein condensates, and has served as Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs since 2019, where he successfully expanded and strengthened the college’s graduate programs.
Optics Valley extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Anderson!
| | SCOP Holds Optics Training for Arizona STEM Teachers | | On June 5th and 6th, the Southwest Center for Optics and Photonics (SCOP) hosted a training event for 16 Middle and High School teachers from Arizona to bring optics into their classrooms. The event featured instruction, labs, and information about the local industry - teachers also received take home kits to reproduce the labs in their own classes. SCOP estimates this will impact 600 – 700 students annually, and help keep the next generation interested and ready to pursue careers in optics and STEM. Congratulations and thank you to SCOP, their teaching partner AmeriCOM, event sponsors, and title sponsor, the SEMI Foundation for their work in making this event possible! | | University of Arizona Seeking Project Sponsors for 2025-2026 | | The UA Interdisciplinary Capstone program is seeking meaningful, open-ended interdisciplinary design projects for engineering students to tackle for their senior capstone. Learn more about how it works, the expected commitment and view example projects. But don't delay – the project commitment deadline is July 15. Contact Debbie Claggett, Engineering Capstone Coordinator, for more information. | | Nominations Open for the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation | | Calling all Arizona innovators! Nominations are now open for the annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards. Startups, small and large companies, academia, and individuals are all eligible. We would love to see strong participation from Arizona’s optics and photonics community this year! Deadline for nominations is July 11th. | | Welcome New Optics Valley Members! | | | | Quartus Engineering Incorporated is a leading provider of engineering services and integrated hardware solutions for a wide range of clients and industries. They employ advanced computer-aided engineering tools in the areas of optics, structural, thermal, and coupled analyses. They couple their engineering analysis capabilities with design, prototype, integration and test capabilities to create solutions for their clients that are of extraordinary value. Quartus is a key contributor to aerospace advancements, semiconductor metrology solutions and emerging technologies. | | | | |
Advancing our understanding of the Earth and Space requires accurate data, collected by sensitive instruments, running in very harsh operating conditions. Ensuring high performance of imaging systems under such exacting standards requires deep expertise and a comprehensive technology portfolio. Teledyne Space Imaging has a long heritage of developing space qualified imaging sensors, focal plane arrays and camera instrument systems for the world's foremost space agencies. Since their first launch in 1986, they have partnered with leaders, including NASA, ESA, JAXA, and KARI collaborating with technical and consultancy services on over 250 space projects.
Teledyne Space Imaging - Everywhereyoulook!
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Other Items of Interest:
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PCC Aviation Tech Center, Tucson AZ
Jul 11, 12 Noon-6 PM
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Our mission is to catalyze, convene and connect optics, photonics, astronomy and the supporting business interests throughout Arizona. Let us know how we can help your company grow.
Thank you,
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Optics Valley FOCUS Newsletter Sign Up
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FOCUS is a summary of business news and events for the optics, photonics and astronomy sectors in Arizona. Please send your submissions for recommended inclusion to focus@opticsvalleyaz.org.
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