#FacesofPhotonics: Optics Expert and SPIE Course Instructor, Dr. Alexis Vogt

SCALING OPTICS' HEIGHTS: Dr. Alexis Vogt

"Mama, can you teach us about optics?"

Dr. Alexis Vogt, Endowed Chair and Associate Professor of the Optical Systems Technology Program at Monroe Community College, is no stranger to hearing phrases like this in her home.

"Perhaps because of some brainwashing, my children love optics and have even mastered bedtime delay tactics with phrases like, 'How do you make glass, Mama?' My children are my motivation to work hard and create diverse opportunities for them to experience. What an amazing process to see the inquisitive mind of a child develop."

Vogt, too, was introduced to optics at a young age —building a five-foot periscope for a 6th-grade science project—and promptly fell for the field. She received both her B.S. and Ph.D. in optics from the University of Rochester, and, upon graduating in 2007, went on to design contact lenses for Bausch + Lomb.

As part of her busy schedule, Vogt teaches courses for SPIE. She often teaches the "Fundamentals of Optical Engineering" course: "Using hands-on demos, we will explore the fundamental principles of optics and how the principles impact our lives every day—how optical fibers work, how rainbows are formed, and how our polarized sunglasses function."

Enjoy the photo gallery below and read the full interview with SPIE's Faces of Photonics in SPIE News.

HARMONIOUS LASERS: Vogt's son waves his hands to make music with the Laser Harp
at the Rochester Museum & Science Center

"WE WILL BE STRONGER TOGETHER!": Vogt was the keynote speaker at the SPIE Photonics West Women in Optics Reception in 2018

FAB OPTICS: Vogt works in the Optics Fabrication Lab at
Monroe Community College

THE DOCTOR IS IN: Vogt's daughter focuses on her optics experiment at the
Rochester Museum & Science Center

WORKING IN TANDEM: "We need to find passionate students and encourage them
to take up careers in STEM, particularly in optics and photonics."

SPIE’s #FacesofPhotonics social media campaign connects SPIE members in the global optics, photonics, and STEM communities. It serves to highlight similarities, celebrate differences, and foster a space where conversation and community can thrive.

Follow along with past and present stories on SPIE social media channels:

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