OSA Foundation Update

Dear OSA Member:
Lots of exciting OSA Foundation (OSAF) programs and activities are underway, and we wanted to take a moment to share some with you. Please let us know if you would like to continue receiving these updates.

About the OSA Foundation
The Foundation focuses on advancing youth science education, enriching optics and photonics education in developing nations, providing career and professional development resources and supporting the Society’s award programming. Over 50 programs were funded last year, and we are especially pleased to report that our 2007 youth education activities reached thousands of students in more than 20 countries.

Grant Programs | Awards | Volunteer Spotlight | Current Campaigns

Grant Programs

Reaching out to Students in the Developing World
High school and college students in Ghana, India and Dubai received a dynamic optics presentation and participated in a variety of hands-on demonstrations thanks to the efforts of OSA Student Chapter member, Ruby Raheem. Ruby is a graduate-level biophotonics student at the University of Edinburgh, and when she’s not using optics to probe into the molecular mechanism of living cells, she’s organizing optics activities on campus, and dedicating time to reach out to young students. She is particularly interested in encouraging girls to pursue math and science studies. Ruby’s trip was made possible through a grant from the OSA Foundation (OSAF). Learn more about Ruby’s trip.

Grassroots Education Outreach
Each year, the global network of OSA student chapters and local sections have the opportunity to apply for OSAF funding to help support their grassroots education outreach projects. Happily, the 2008 youth science program generated more than 55 applications, a 40% increase over last year. Moreover, the 2008 programs hosted by these organizations are especially original and impactful. Read a Laser Focus World Online article highlighting some of this year’s winners.

The Foundation is making a lasting difference through its wide range of outreach efforts and grant programs. Each year the Foundation directly manages projects and provides financial support to external programs that further its philanthropic priority areas. Learn more about OSAF programs.

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Awards

Corning Student Paper Competition Debuts at OFC/NFOEC 2008
Corning Incorporated generously endowed an OSAF award recognizing innovation, research excellence and presentation abilities of OFC/NFOEC student presenters. The award debuted during OFC/NFOEC 2008 and the student community response to this opportunity was resounding, with over 400 entries! The first awards (grand prize $1,500, two honorable mention awards of $1,000), were presented on February 28, 2008 during the conference post-deadline paper session. Details can be found in the award press release.

Incubic/Milton Chang Travel Grant
Funded by an endowment from Milton and Rosalind Chang, this program provides 20 individual grants of $1,000 to students who present papers during the CLEO and/or the Frontiers in Optics meetings. This year 80 students applied for CLEO 2008 grants; a second wave of applications will be received for FiO 2008. Presenting a peer-reviewed paper at an OSA-hosted meeting is a milestone for students. Many of the travel grant recipients would not be able to participate in these meetings were it not for the Incubic/Milton Chang Travel Grant program. The OSAF extends its thanks to Dr. & Mrs. Chang for their long-standing support of students and the OSAF.

OSAF Reception & Maiman Award Announcement
On May 4, 2008, a symposium in tribute to Dr. Theodore Maiman will be held as part of the CLEO/QELS 2008 meeting. This special session will describe the events leading to the first laser and the pervasive impact it has had on all aspects of modern society. The OSAF will host a reception following the symposium to announce the establishment of the Theodore Maiman Student Paper Award. This annual award recognizes the innovation and research excellence of a CLEO/QELS student presenter. The award is supported by HRL Laboratories, IEEE-LEOS, APS Division of Laser Science and the OSAF. To learn more about the award and its fundraising campaign please contact Meredith Smith.

Paul F. Forman Engineering Excellence Award
OSA presents the Engineering Excellence Awards in recognition of the valuable contributions of optical engineers. Now named in honor of Paul F. Forman, these awards recognize technical achievements in optical engineering by an individual or team. Thanks to the generosity of the Zygo Corporation, Canon Inc. and many of Paul’s friends, a financial stipend has been added to the awards. July 2, 2008 is the deadline for 2008 award nominations. To learn more about the award and its fundraising campaign please contact Meredith Smith.

Congratulations to TOPTICA Photonics AG on its tenth anniversary!
The OSAF is delighted to congratulate TOPTICA Photonics AG on its tenth anniversary. When the OSA Foundation and the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft announced the establishment of an award in memory of Professor Herbert Walther, TOPTICA Photonics was among the very first contributors. We greatly appreciate TOPTICA’s generosity.

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Volunteer Spotlight

Dr. Stephen Jacobs
Many thanks to Dr. Jacobs, Senior Scientist, Professor of Optics & Chemical Engineering, The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, for presenting two educational sessions during the February 2008 Girl Scout Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Jacobs presented Optics Suitcase materials to Girl Scout camp leaders. The Suitcases are produced by the OSA Rochester Local Section and provide hands-on demonstrations on topics such as polarization, diffraction and selective reflection. The Rochester Section and the OSAF have teamed up to fund the distribution of Suitcases to classrooms around the world. Through this effort, 50 cases will be provided to top-ranking applicants. These materials will benefit roughly 4,000 students! Read a Laser Focus World Online article about Dr. Jacob’s work. To learn more about how you can support the Optics Suitcase effort, please contact Meredith Smith.

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Current Campaigns

100% MATCHING- Every dollar donated to the OSA Foundation is matched 100% by an Optical Society of America donation to the OSAF General Fund.

If you are interested in making a contribution, please consider the following campaigns, or contact us to suggest a new program you would like to support.

Annual Campaign
Supports the Foundation’s Special Purpose Funds and General Fund.

Award Endowment Campaigns

Max Born Award
Presented to a person who has made outstanding contributions to physical optics, theoretical or experimental.

Paul F. Forman Engineering Excellence Award
Recognizes technical achievements in optical engineering by an individual or team.

Edwin H. Land Medal
Recognizes individuals who have demonstrated, from a base of scientific knowledge, pioneering entrepreneurial creativity that has had major public impact.

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Please share your comments with us!
OSA Foundation Contact Information
OSAF Director: Meredith Smith
Email: msmith@osa.org
Telephone: +1 202.416.1421
Address: 2010 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Web site: www.osa-foundation.org