2021 Scholarship Awards Program | Page 27

FoTO GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Robert R . Shannon Graduate Student Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences
Robert R . ( Bob ) Shannon came to the University of Arizona in 1969 as a professor of optical sciences . He was later named director of the University ’ s Optical Sciences Center , serving from 1984 to 1992 . He then was appointed Professor Emeritus of Optical Sciences .
He has been a prolific leader in the optics community , including terms as president of SPIE and the Optical Society ( OSA ). He served on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and Aerospace Corp .’ s board of trustees , as well as a number of National Academy of Sciences committees . Bob ’ s many technical contributions have earned numerous awards including SPIE ’ s Goddard Award and Gold Medal and membership in the National Academy of Engineering . He is a fellow of OSA and SPIE .
This scholarship was founded by John R . Rogers and J . Michael Rodgers in appreciation for Robert Shannon ’ s wisdom , mentorship and lasting friendship . Both were advised by Shannon while pursuing doctorate degrees in optical sciences .
John Rogers ( l ) and Mike Rodgers ( r ) with Robert Shannon
CHANG GE
Chang ’ s undergraduate research focused on the ultrasensitive detection of a novel biomarker of ovarian cancer using the Frequency Lock Optical Whispering Evanescent Resonator system . Now , as a Ph . D . student , her goal is to develop optical devices to diagnose and explore the possibilities of disease monitoring , drug discovery , and detection of pollutants .
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