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. 

Over 30000 EUR 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 4500 EUR in Edmund Optics products.

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

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 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, click here.