UC astronomy student awarded international optics and photonics scholarship
27 July 2011
University of Canterbury astronomy student Scott Thomas has been awarded a 2011 Scholarship by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.
Scott Thomas.
University of Canterbury astronomy student Scott Thomas has been awarded a 2011 Scholarship by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.
Scott, a third-year student, was awarded the scholarship worth US$2000 (NZ$2428 approx) for one year for his potential contributions to the field of optics, photonics or related field.
Scott is the only student in New Zealand and Australia to be awarded an SPIE scholarship in 2011, and one of 10 in the Asia-Pacific region. He intends to use the funds to help cover course costs and pursue an honours degree in astronomy, with the intention of moving into astronomical research or medical physics and imaging, another area he is interested in.
Scott said the scholarship was “quite an honour”.
He spent several weeks in Arizona last year, thanks to a UC Aurora Astronomy Scholarship, visiting various telescopes and astronomical research centres in the region, which he said really opened his eyes to the power of optical sciences and the way in which they are being used to probe the farthest reaches of the universe.
“In particular, the optical engineering laboratories at the University of Arizona and the Large Binocular Telescope situated near Tucson were inspiring examples of the cutting-edge of the centuries-old science of optics,” he said.
“It was an amazing few weeks and I made several connections over there, as well as learned a heap about how astronomy is carried out in the real world. I spent several nights observing from Kitt Peak National Observatory and generally spent a lot of time talking with people – academic staff, technicians, optical engineers – about their jobs and how they got there.”
Scott, who grew up in Rotorua, said he came to Canterbury to study “because of
its strong reputation in the physical sciences and mathematics, and especially astronomy”.
“I'm also doing a biochemistry major because I'm interested in the medical applications of techniques developed in the physical sciences, like imaging and radiotherapy. This has already taken me to some interesting places, like over the semester break when I spent a week in Sydney at the research reactor learning about applications of nuclear science.
“And I'm not planning to leave just yet since I'll be doing my honours year here next year – no amount of earthquakes are going to scare me away,” he said.
Founded in 1955, SPIE aims to advance light-based technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent and career and professional growth.
In 2011 SPIE awarded $350,000 in scholarships to 137 outstanding individuals, based on their potential contribution to optics and photonics, or a related discipline. To date SPIE has distributed over $3.3 million dollars in individual scholarships, reflecting the Society's commitment to education and to the next generation of optical scientists and engineers around the world. Learn more at http://spie.org/scholarships.
For more information please contact:
Maria De Cort
Communications Officer
Communications & External Relations
Mobile: +64 27 299 0741
maria.decort@canterbury.ac.nz
What to read next:
2023 UC Young New Zealander of the Year announced
Shaneel Lal was named 2023 Te Mātātahi o te Tau | University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year for leading the way to a more inclusive ...
UC awards honorary doctorate to Margaret Austin
The University of Canterbury is bestowing an honorary doctorate on educator, politician, scientist and passionate community advocate, Margaret Austin.