On the heels of 2015’s International Year of Light, Rochester, New York is achieving greater recognition for its preeminence in optics, photonics and imaging. Rochester’s 2015 designation as headquarters for AIM Photonics will bring with it a new Test, Assembly & Packaging plant to begin construction in 2017, with new jobs, new technologies and new skill set demands.
It seems fitting that 2016 is the year that the community has chosen to recognize one of Rochester’s “optics shining stars,” Alexis Vogt as one of our “40 under 40.”
Vogt, currently Endowed Chair & Associate Professor of Optics at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY, teaches in the only Optical Systems Technology program in the nation. The program is at maximum enrollment for Fall, 2016.
A PhD from the University of Rochester Institute of Optics with a specialized emphasis on polarization engineering, coherence theory and microscopy, Vogt has already achieved career objectives that many people only dream about.
While engaged in her UR studies Vogt had already achieved distinction:
- Dean’s List 10 of 10 semesters and Tau Beta Pi National Honorary Engineering Society
- Recipient of 2000 Institute of Optics Faculty Award
- Recipient of 2001 Undergraduate Teaching Award
- University of Rochester Trustees’ Alumni Council of the College member 2001 – 2004
She interned at Corning, Inc. in metrology for optical fiber, where she designed and developed certification devices to increase accuracy and reliability of fiber draws.
In her spare time, she defined “light” and “polarization” for the World Book Encyclopedia, got married and had two children.
At Bausch & Lomb she was manager of medical affairs in the advanced optical design and metrology department where she was awarded the 2012 CEO Award Recipient for “directly showcasing Bausch + Lomb optical designs to eye care professionals in a compelling and engaging way…” and the 2011 Focus on Excellence award.
As an optical physicist, Vogt was applications engineer, business development manager and senior product manager at Melles Griot in Rochester, where she was awarded the 2015 IDEX KEEP Award for high performance and was offered financial incentives to remain at IDEX.
She instead chose an endowed professorship at MCC in optical systems technology.
“Each day I reflect on how fortunate and blessed I am to have such a wonderful family, and a job that I love in a community I love.” Says Vogt. ” The birthplace of optics in America is Rochester, NY, and to be educating students at Monroe Community College and helping them prepare for a career in optics, photonics and imaging is incredibly rewarding. The only limit to what they can do is their own ambition. We have CEOs in Rochester with a 2-year degree from our program.”
“As we move forward and grow our optics program to meet the increasing regional and national optics workforce demands, I want more families to encourage their children to pursue interests in science and physics, especially their daughters.”
Alexis’ last name, Vogt, has her at the bottom of the list alphabetically, but we think that she belongs at the top!
We are delighted that she will be a speaker at the New York Photonics Annual meeting in Rochester on October 27th.
>>Awardees Here<<
