“The award has allowed me to connect with other women in photonics,” Leah shares. “We had an incredible event in North Carolina, where we met industry leaders and mentors dedicated to supporting women in this field.”
Leah’s journey as a top physics student began with a passion for mathematics in high school. She pursued her undergraduate studies in physics at the University of Ottawa, earning three NSERC undergraduate research awards along the way. Her outstanding achievements were further recognized with the Faculty of Science plaque in physics at convocation.
As an undergraduate, Leah’s research focused on lasers and photonics. Her fascination with lasers, particularly their biomedical applications, led her to contact physics Professor Albert Stolow in her first year. This bold move secured her a place in his research team, where she continues her work today as a master’s student.
An expert in ultrashort pulse laser technology, Leah’s research focuses on developing novel methods for label-free (i.e., no dyes or stains), nonlinear microscopy for use in biomedical, Earth and material sciences. In particular, she is developing a new label-free yet chemical-specific imaging modality called chirp modulation stimulated raman scattering (CM-SRS) microscopy. However, this new technique requires very careful characterization of the input laser pulses. To achieve this, Leah developed an advanced laser pulse characterization technique for specific use in laser-scanning microscopes, called fringe-averaged collinear frequency-resolved optical gating (FRACOL-FROG), which she published in Optics Express in 2024.
Leah’s breakthrough techniques have the potential to revolutionize biomedical imaging by enabling scientists to study live tissue without the need for staining. “Improving imaging techniques can greatly impact medical diagnostics and live cell studies,” Leah notes.
Her undergraduate experience was further enriched by a summer exchange at the Max Planck Center in Erlangen, Germany, where she collaborated with international researchers and expanded her global scientific network. “It was an amazing opportunity to experience different research environments and build connections with scientists from all around the world,” she reflects.
In addition to research, Leah serves as a teaching assistant for first-year students. She offers mentorship and support during exams, and encourages students to engage in research. As an officer with the uOttawa Optica SPIE student chapter, she organizes events such as Women in Science Day and outreach activities for younger students. Additionally, she previously worked as VP Bilingual for the uOttawa Physics Society, ensuring that the society remains accessible to the University’s diverse student body.
Outside academia, Leah enjoys intramural dodgeball and traveling, recently exploring several cities in Germany—a reflection of her adventurous spirit.
Looking ahead, Leah envisions a future where photonics and laser technology are seamlessly integrated into clinical settings. “I hope to contribute to advancements that make these technologies more practical and accessible in medical applications,” she says.
Leah’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, dedication and curiosity. From groundbreaking research to leadership roles, her achievements showcase the profound impact one student can have on the scientific community.
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