Bethel Physics Students Attend Prestigious Conference

Four students presented research at the Frontiers in Optics and Laser Science Conference in September.

By Aiyanna Klaphake '20

October 10, 2019 | 2 p.m.

Isaac Vliem '21, Professor of Physics Nathan Lindquist, Marit Engevik '22, Britta Nordberg '22, and Zach Tebow '20 stop for a picture at national physics conference.

Isaac Vliem '21, Professor of Physics Nathan Lindquist, Marit Engevik '22, Britta Nordberg '22, and Zach Tebow '20 stop for a picture at national physics conference.

Bethel physics students Marit Engevik '22, Britta Nordberg '22, Zach Tebow '20, and Isaac Vliem '21, with Professor of Physics Nathan Lindquist, attended the Frontiers in Optics and Laser Science Conference and Exhibition (FiO+LS) in September. The five day technical conference in Washington, D.C. boasted nearly 1,300 attendees, including many distinguished scientists, physics students, and educators from around the country.

This year's program emphasized recent advances in photonics and optics while exploring the implications of new technologies for various fields ranging from chemistry to medicine. Registrants attended presentations by 2018 Nobel Laureate in Physics Donna Strickland and Scientific Director at QuTech Ronald Hanson, numerous workshops, and a science and industry showcase. Students also shared their own research with fellow attendees.

"Seeing what a scientific conference is like and having the opportunity to share your research with the broader scientific community is an experience that can make a lasting impact on the careers of these students," says Lindquist of the presentations. "Seeing that your work is valued and interesting is a bonus, plus all the networking opportunities."

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