By Alexis Vogt, PhD, Monroe Community College

We need not look any further than our wrists and pockets for evidence of the impact biophotonic devices have on our lives. Our watches and phones can monitor our health and even remind us when it’s time to exercise. All around us, biophotonics is revolutionizing our world.

I am often asked what needs to be done to advance the field and how to help biophotonics continue expanding and growing. One fundamental challenge we must overcome is the shortage of skilled workers. We need to encourage more young people, especially women and diverse candidates, to enter into biophotonic scientific research and manufacturing.

Our optics and photonics manufacturing workforce is in dire need of skilled technicians. More openings exist than people to fill them. In addition, experienced technicians are approaching retirement. Optimax Systems Inc., based in Ontario, N.Y., widely advertises that it hires artists, musicians, gamers, and even chefs, because those individuals already possess good hand-eye coordination. They just need to learn the optics. And to do this, Optimax and other companies, including JML Optical Industries LLC in Rochester, N.Y., are partnering with the American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA) to offer apprenticeships in optics and biophotonics manufacturing.

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Spring SBIR Review
06/04/2019 - 06/05/2019    
All Day
This event highlights the exciting SBIR research in novel optical materials and optics manufacturing research from OptiPro, Optimax, CeraNova, Arizona Optical Systems, Bridger Photonics, and [...]
Optical Fabrication & Testing
06/10/2019 - 06/12/2019    
All Day
OF&T will offer new ideas and concepts for the shaping, smoothing, testing and manufacture of conventional and novel optics/optical systems finding applications in existing and [...]
58th Annual  Summer Short Course Series at UR Institute of Optics
06/10/2019 - 06/22/2019    
All Day
In 2019, the Institute of Optics will hold its 58th annual summer school short-course series, offering a mix of one-week courses and two-and-a-half-day courses. Fundamental [...]
Storing Petabytes of Data on Light in Space!
Second Tuesday Networking The June 11th date is a joint event between New York Photonics and the ROSA, the OSA Rochester Chapter. Lyteloop is patented [...]
Laser World of Photonics: Munich
"Laser Munich" LASER World of PHOTONICS is the international trade fair for Photonics Components, Systems and Applications. The only Eurpoean trade fair for lasers and [...]
Light & Sound Interactive
06/25/2019 - 06/27/2019    
All Day
Light and Sound Interactive 2019 Innovators, technologists and subject matter experts are converging in Rochester to push the edge of light and sound-based technologies. We’ll [...]
Luminate: Light Tomorrow with Today
On June 27th, 2019, Luminate's second cohort will participate in an exciting Demo Day event in the Big Tent of the CGI Rochester International Jazz [...]
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25 Jun 19
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New York Photonics is a not-for-profit organization founded to promote and enhance the New York State optics, photonics and imaging industry by fostering the cooperation of business, academia and government.

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