Optics

Steven Johnson (2017-2024)

"Such a friendly group, now split between the ARC and the Kelvin Building. The range of research going on within the group is incredible, it feels like the only thing that connects us is that we work with light. Between the quantum imaging, gas camera, 3D printed microscopes, Skyrmions (which I think I understand), atomic sensors and everything else the group does has shown me so many different aspects of light and the amazing things you can do with it."

Akhil Kallepalli (2020-2024)

"Definitely one of the best places I have worked and a team that is socially and academically fantastic. While I continue my research career after 4 years with the Optics Group, I will always look back on my time at Glasgow with joy. It has been a wonderful place and experience all around."

Mark Main (2021, 2023)

Claire Marie Cisowski (2020-2022)

Akhil Kallepalli (2020-2022)

"Definitely one of the best places I have worked and a team that is socially and academically fantastic. While I continue my research career with the Optics Group (through my research fellowship as of 2023), I look forward to all the coffees, walks and chats about literally (LITERALLY!) everything under the sun!"

Paul-Antoine Moreau (2017-2021)

"You must sit in "Miles' office/group meeting place" during one of the improvised coffee breaks, hear Graham talk about these crazy-funny group stories involving coffee non-sense, weird experiments, beheaded mannequins hiding behind the labs' doors... and you will grasp what the Optics Group is: much like Scotland, a very friendly place to work in."

Jakub Bělín (2016-2020)

"I spent a brilliant in the Optics Group at the University of Glasgow, working on a joyful project. I have also learnt many valuable transferrable skills like how to operate a coffee machine, drink tea in a proper British way, make a research group happy with sweets and chocolate, or how to ride a monocycle :)"

Dr Daan Stellinga (2017-2021)

Sara Restuccia (2014- Now)

"I really enjoy working in the Group as it has always been full of wonderful, friendly people and has made it a great place to learn, grow professionally and to make long time friends! From our chats at lunch, where I have learned the most random trivia ... to over-excitedly celebrating the successful alignment of the system with my postdoc (I continue the tradition even after she left :) )... to the constant supply of snacks or cakes in Miles' office for everyone to share..."

Kevin Mitchell (2013-2020)

Neal Radwell (2010-2019)

"Without my time in the Optics Group I would never know what a cake made with a base of strawberry laces, French fancies and gummy worms filling tasted like (interesting), or whether it is a good idea to put the coffee back through a percolator to make coffee^2 (it isn't)...
As well as learning all this I had a wonderful time and even did some Physics!"

Adam Selyem (2015-2019)

"I remember very fondly the little board gaming group we had with Francesco, Ryan, Daan and Euan being regular members. Many fun evenings were had! There was, and I know is, a strong feeling of community in the group, it's really wonderful!"

Matt Edgar (2011-2018)

"I enjoyed our daily discussions on ridiculous topics fuelled by coffee and cake, for example, the implications of tethering the Moon to the Earth, the physics required to optically trap a pint of beer, and the feasibility of a laser popcorn maker and laser toast-slicer to name just a few!

Of the long list of outreach activities I took part in for the Optics Group, a highlight was speaking with British Astronaut Tim Peake whilst demonstrating our 3D LIDAR and SWIR cameras using our augmented reality app.

I also remember having our group photo taken on my last day using the single-pixel camera which was a laugh...I still have the picture framed and can almost recognise everyone."

Rebecca Hay (2013-2017)

"I can thank the Optics group for giving me the opportunity to travel the world, learn to ski and to appreciate coffee."

David Phillips (2013-2017)

"Watching Johannes attempt to unicycle down the corridor with Mike on his shoulders (it didn't end well...)"

Thomas Clark (2012-2016)

"A PhD will always have its ups and downs but, honestly, I really enjoyed my time in the Optics Group. Anyone who's been around in this cosy community will have quotes and memories coming out of their ears. To pick some out almost seems disrespectful and it's not without reason that I have three pages of acknowledgements in my thesis! I'll just repeat here that it may come as a surprise to those outside the fold, but it’s hard to think of a friendlier working environment than being kept in the basement with an optics research team. Whether you feel like an ancient Egyptian board game, unicycle jousting or the simple challenge of trying to uncover why there’s an office disco ball, there’s definitely something for everyone. In fact, I can honestly say, every single person I’ve bumped into in the last four years has had something to add to this story: something for which I can only offer my sincere thanks. Of all the wit and wisdom of Reuben Aspden however, I will particularly remember coming back to the office and hearing that I had eloped with a Hungarian princess."

Baoqing Sun (2010-2016)

"There was a story about a 3D printed toy. I heard that it is still spreading.."

Jacquiline Romero (2008-2015)

"We used to have a picture of a "god" who we called as the "spiral bandwidth god". There was a time when we always touch it every time we go to the lab, so we get a big spiral bandwidth :) I appreciate this is not very scientific, it was good fun though, haha. I have many fond memories of Glasgow Optics, people were friendly, and there was always cake! (Something I tried to recreate in Australia, to no avail!)"

Daniel Giovannini (2011-2015)

"The Optics group is a special place. It has a fantastic sense of community, where world-class research meets unicycle jousting, mountain biking, laser popcorn makers, productive espresso breaks, and life-long friends. Also, has anyone mentioned cake yet?"

Colin Greenshields (2009, 2011-2015)

"I remember the group having a special atmosphere and being a lot of fun. Although in my PhD I had my office within a different group, I enjoyed taking part in activities such as weekly runs (and sometimes mad circuit training!) in Kelvingrove Park and along the river."

Martin Lavery (2008-2014)

"A very creative and supportive environment to kick start my academic career. The best coffee in the west end and lots of cake to fuel fun science. Just be warned, you may find your self on a very muddy mountain bike track with Miles before you know it."

Richard Bowman (2008-2012)

"I'll always remember the group meeting after which four of us (including Miles) joined a spontaneous bike ride, organised by Lance Armstrong on Twitter! That was before he was found out...

My PhD offer was an unconventional one - I had to promise to get a mountain bike, and in return Miles would get me a faster Mac than he had. We both held up the conditions of the offer, and it was a great fun four years!"

Daryl Preece (2007-2011)

"I have fond memories of my time in Glasgow. I remember unicycling and lab cricket in the corridors late into the night (turns out experiments take a really long time). I also remember long conversations over afternoon coffee with lots of goodies from M&S."

Jonathan Leach (2002-2010)

Kevin O'Holleran (2004-2008)

"Learning to ride a unicycle and racing them down the basement corridor with Johannes. Not the most transferable skill I picked up in the Optics group."

Jörg Götte (2007)

Graeme Whyte (2003-2006)

"The Optics Group was a wonderful place to do a PhD with lots of opportunities to work on different things and learn so much - in the lab, around the lunch table or over a pint or two."