Edmund Optics® Announces 2023 Educational Award and Norman Edmund Award Recipients

Edmund Optics®, a leading global provider of optical technology solutions, announces the recipients of its 2023 Educational Award program.

This award is given in recognition of outstanding undergraduate and graduate optics research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs at non-profit colleges and universities worldwide. “Inspiring innovation is at the core of what Edmund Optics does,” says Marisa Edmund, Chairman of the Board and Chief Global Marketing and Sales Officer. “That is why we continue to invest in this program year after year.”

Over $35,000 USD in Edmund Optics products will be awarded to the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in the Americas and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) to support their research. The remaining 14 finalists will receive product matching awards. The recipient of the Norman Edmund Inspiration Award, which best embodies the legacy of Edmund Optics’ founder, Norman Edmund, is also chosen from the 20 global finalists and will receive an additional $5,000 in Edmund Optics products.

Meet the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award Recipients

In the Americas, the Gold Award was awarded to Danilo Almeida Machado at Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Brazil for a telecentric optical system developed for rocket injector spray analysis which provides for a thorough characterization for cold tests of combustion injectors.

The Silver Award was awarded to Samuel Mardoqueo Afanador Delgado at Centro Universitario de Los Lagos, Mexico for a project using Z-scan to identify the non-linear optical properties of the genomic DNA of healthy and breast cancer cells to make an early diagnosis in patients with this type of disease.

The Bronze Award was awarded to Dilara Long at the University of Arizona, USA for comparing structural and functional features of the uterotubal junction in women with and without endometriosis using optical coherence tomography imaging, and for developing a miniature minimally invasive endoscope for endometriosis diagnosis.

In EMEA, the Gold Award was awarded to Jelle Schoppink at the University of Twente, Netherlands for laser-induced cavitation in a microfluidic channel for fast jet generation. The thin jet is fast enough to penetrate the skin and, therefore, deliver medication without a needle.

The Silver Award was awarded to Shiyue Liu at Kings College London, United Kingdom for developing a unified FTIR/Raman and mass spectrometry imaging instrument for the multidimensional analysis of molecules in triple negative breast cancer tissue samples.

The Bronze Award was awarded to Jeremy Teo at New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for the development of a miniaturized brightfield microscopy system for evaluating 3D cell culture systems to be used for space biology research.

Meet the Norman Edmund Inspiration Award Recipient

The Norman Edmund Inspiration Award was awarded to Dilara Long at the University of Arizona, USA for aiming to compare structural and functional features of the uterotubal junction in women with and without endometriosis using optical coherence tomography imaging, and for developing a miniature minimally invasive endoscope for endometriosis diagnosis.

This research project has the potential to bridge the gap between unmet clinical needs and state-of-the art, non-invasive optical technology, particularly in women's health applications. In the setting of endometriosis, minimally invasive optical technologies have the potential to reduce costs and complications, inform diagnosis and staging, monitor disease progression, and facilitate personalized treatment, ultimately reducing chronic pain, infertility, and even the risk of some cancers. It is the intent to show young students that their aptitude or interest in optical sciences can be harnessed toward improving health and wellness, particularly for marginalized populations.

To learn more about the Educational Award recipients and their applications, please visit www.edmundoptics.com/award.

About Edmund Optics:
Edmund Optics® has been a leading, global provider of optical technology solutions that has served a variety of markets since 1942. The company services its customers through three distinct offerings: a marketplace that serves as a one-stop shop for the best brands and products in optics and photonics; custom and volume manufacturing of quality optical and imaging components and systems; and optical consulting, design, prototyping, and other engineering services as part of our manufacturing offerings. The company employs 1,250+ employees across 18 global locations and continues to expand. Customers can learn more, speak to an engineer, or purchase items through our website at www.edmundoptics.com.