2012 UMD Student Poster Competition in Optics and Photonics
The 2012 University of Maryland Student Poster Competition in Optics and Photonics was a resounding success. This event is co-sponsored by the University of Maryland College Park [UMDC] chapters of the Optical Society of America [OSA], the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers [SPIE] and the European Physical Society [EPS], as well as the Baltimore and DC-Northern Virginia chapters of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [IEEE] and the Capitol chapter of OSA.
The poster session saw the submission of 16 posters from area universities, prepared and presented by graduate students from throughout the Virginia-Maryland-Delaware area.
Before the exhibition, Dr. Anthony Johnson (UMDC) gave a fascinating seminar focusing on his work in femto-second laser research. After his entertaining and thought-provoking presentation, students were given several hours to present their posters to fellow students and local professional members of OSA and SPIE.
Such intimate time with established researchers is a rarity, particularly in poster sessions at large conferences, and it gave the presenters a chance to discuss their ideas with top professionals.
At the conclusion of the session, awards promoting scientific excellence were distributed to the top posters chosen by a panel of active researchers.
Refreshments and an opportunity to socialise followed, with festivities lasting well into the evening. The UMD-EPS Young Minds section played an integral role in the organisation of this event, assisting with all phases from planning and preparation all through disassembling the posters and clearing the building afterwards.
More information is available on the UMD-EPS Young Minds Section.
