SPIE Optics + Photonics 2019: let the world know about you!

The participation in the conference “SPIE Optics + Photonics” has become our student chapter’s annual tradition. This year Nellija, Tatjana, Matiss, Inga Brice and Inga Saknite went to this large, multidisciplinary optical sciences and technology meeting to learn, network, share their research and spend a great time together with students and experts from the whole world.

Hello from San Diego! Spot the University of Latvia student chapter members in the first row. 

As usually, the highly interactive SPIE Student Chapter Leadership Workshop occurred the day before the meeting. Together with about 200 other student chapter leaders, we discussed the qualities that defined a good leader, and learned how to communicate effectively in the academic and business world. It was a great pleasure to do different activities in the international groups!

Moments from the Leadership workshop facilitated by Dr. Jean-Luc Doumont.

The Student Chapter Poster Exhibit facilitated the further communication with chapter leaders. During this event, we shared our experience of organizing the international students’ conference “Developments in Optics and Communications”, gained valuable ideas for outreach activities and engagement of new members. 

University of Latvia chapter’s representatives at the Student Chapter Poster Exhibit.

Three of us gave the presentations during oral and poster sessions:

• Matiss – “Hybrid optical prototype for sepsis bedside diagnostics,”
• Tatjana – “Impact of viewing distance on relative depth judgements for stimuli in physical space,”
• Inga Brice – “Whispering gallery mode resonators coated with Au nanoparticles.”

Inga, Tatjana and Matiss present their scientific works.

What is more, there was an opportunity to attend not only technical sessions, but also various workshops and courses from leading experts. In the exhibition, one could meet the representatives from different optics companies, both start-ups and global, as well as equipment and component manufacturers. 

Inga and Tatjana joined the SPIE Career Lab meeting where discussed the topics of interest to students and early career professionals.

For Inga Brice, it was the first time when she went to the SPIE Optics + Photonics conference. She reflects on her experience:

“It was my first time when I participated in such a large conference where many sessions were held in parallel. We had an opportunity to present the results of our work, get inspired and network when attending different social events, for instance, the welcome reception. What is more, I took part in the workshops to improve my presentation and manuscript writing skills. I succeeded to pack many exciting events in my schedule with the help of the SPIE conference planning application, which I found very useful. I would be glad to participate in this conference again!”

Read more about this exceptional conference in the report!

We are grateful to the SPIE and the European Regional Development Fund (project No. 1.1.1.1/18/A/179 "Development of a compact, high-brightness laser image projection system for application in volumetric 3D displays") for the provided support.

What do you think about attending the SPIE conference next year? 
The study year has already started and we invite everyone interested to join the University of Latvia SPIE Student Chapter. 

Make this year exclusively valuable by getting involved!