SPIE Announces $323,000 in Student Scholarships

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, awarded $323,000 in scholarships to 74 outstanding SPIE Student Members based on their potential contribution to optics and photonics, or a related discipline. The successful applicants were evaluated, selected, and approved by the SPIE Scholarship Committee.

The 2025 recipients of the named or sponsored scholarships include:

• Trevor Shooshan, of the University of Rochester, awarded the $11,000 D. J. Lovell Scholarship
• Katherine Koch, of Wake Forest University; Victoria Usachev, of the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics; and Morgan Logsdon Choi, of the University of Arizona’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences, who were each awarded a $10,000 Women in Optics Scholarship
• Peigang Chen, of Purdue University, awarded the $10,000 John Kiel Scholarship
• Maolin Dai, of the University of Tokyo, awarded the $5,000 Laser Technology, Engineering and Applications Scholarship
• Jasper Stackawitz, of Pennsbury High School, awarded the $5,000 Teddi Laurin Scholarship
• Yuheng Chen, of Purdue University, awarded the $5,000 Optical Design and Engineering Scholarship

In addition, 66 more recipients received individual awards ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

Since this program began in 1978, SPIE has cumulatively distributed more than $7.5 million in individual scholarships. This ambitious effort reflects the Society's commitment to empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, and visionaries who will shape the future of technology and research. By providing financial support and resources to high school students through graduate-level young researchers, these scholarships open doors for successful and impactful careers in optics and photonics.

“Congratulations to this year’s SPIE scholarship recipients!” said 2025 SPIE Scholarship Committee Chair Brian Primeau. “I was inspired by reading about their fantastic work and the impact on optics and photonics that so many students have already had on our industry. The Scholarship Committee was thoroughly impressed with this group of students, who have all demonstrated significant potential to continue to make long-term contributions to the optics and photonics community. Thank you to all the applicants for taking the time to apply, and thank you to all of the recommenders who took time to write insightful letters. Finally, thanks to the committee volunteers and SPIE staff for their time in reviewing all of the applications!”