Dayton Engineer
Graduate Student Sheilah Njoka Awarded SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarship
Electro-optics and photonics graduate student Sheilah Njoka has been awarded a 2025 Optics and Photonics Scholarship by the Society for Optics & Photonics (SPIE), for potential contributions to optics, photonics or a related field.
Sheilah is a master’s student in the Department of Electro-Optics and Photonics. Her research, mentored by professor Swapnajit Chakravarty, focuses on developing affordable, chip-scale photonic devices for biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and memory technologies, using integrated silicon photonics.
“Receiving the SPIE scholarship reflects a belief in the potential of young scientists and engineers,” said Njoka. “As someone who began their academic path in Kenya, I hope this milestone encourages students across Africa to believe in the value of their aspirations. I’m committed to growing into a role where I can give back through outreach, mentorship, and leadership.”
SPIE awarded more than $323,000 in scholarships to 74 outstanding SPIE student members, based on their potential contribution to optics and photonics, or a related discipline. Since this program began in 1978, SPIE has distributed more than $7.5 million dollars in individual scholarships.
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 and brings engineers, scientists, students and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology.