#FacesofPhotonics: PhD Researcher at University of Southampton, Angeles Rosales Camacho

SPIE’s #FacesofPhotonics is a showcase across social media that connects SPIE members in the optics and photonics community around the world.

It serves to highlight similarities, celebrate differences, and foster a space for conversation and community to thrive.

Angeles Rosales Camacho

Back in April, we shared the story of SPIE Student Member Angeles Rosales Camacho. Angeles is the 2018 Student Chapter President at the University of Southampton, and a PhD researcher in the Optoelectronic Research Centre. She is the winner of her university’s 2017 Women In Science, Engineering, and Technology (WiSET) award, and is a dedicated outreach ambassador.

In Forbes Mexico's most recent edition, Angles was listed as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women In Mexico! An incredibly well-deserved recognition for her work with young girls and women in STEM.
See Forbes' entire list here.

We hope you enjoy her #FacesofPhotonics interview.

1. Tell us about when you first became interested in optics and photonics.

In the lab

As a practical person, I learned about optic and photonic technologies for its application in industry. I am a former industrial engineer and during my ten years of experience in the industry, I saw and experienced the need and the application of this technology in the field.

After I came to Southampton, I had the opportunity to work on my PhD: developing an additive manufacturing process for optical fiber fabrication. Such a great and challenging opportunity!

The current technology is expensive in many ways, and developing countries don’t have access to it. This research can represent an opportunity for societies to develop their own designs of optical fibers.

2. Share your favorite outreach or volunteer story.

I have been part of one of the most active outreach teams in the University; I am so proud to be a part of this team. After three years, I escalated this work to my home country of Mexico, where I collaborated with women in science programmes lead by a local research council in Baja California Sur (COSCYT).

The stories I have from three years of doing outreach are a lot, but I think my favorite one is when we asked students to draw what a scientist looks like. They broke the paradigms and drew women as scientists, too.

Angeles holding up one of the
students' drawings

3. Share your advice for the photonics community and what you look forward to in the future of photonics.

Keep going! There are always things to improve, and the worst idea is the one we don’t try. Thus, let your imagination flow and go for it. Any small change now could represent a huge change in the future. Always preach with the example.

The limit is your imagination and your capability, and your limits are in your mind. This statement may sound cliché, but at this stage of my life, I say it is true. I discovered this not long ago, and it is something that I am trying to show my sons.

[As for the future of photonics] it is hard to say at this point, but I think that people in this work have access to technology that somehow advantages towards a better quality of life. It sounds utopic but could be exciting.

Angeles

You can follow along with past and upcoming stories on SPIE social media channels:

Or search #FacesofPhotonics on your favorite social network!

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