Lizzie Seward, YC’2027 Physics (Intensive) major working with the Logan Wright group, was recently awarded the Caltech WAVE Fellowship for Summer 2026. Seward will conduct research with the Alireza Marandi group at Caltech.
WAVE is a fully funded, 10-week summer research program designed for undergraduates seriously considering Ph.D. study, combining mentored research with robust academic and professional training.
Seward stated, “This summer, I will be doing research with Alireza Marandi on optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). Part of my internship includes a sponsorship from the Kavli Nanoscience Internship at Caltech, so I will be working on fabricating nanophotonic devices. I will be supporting work on fabricating mid-infrared OPOs as frequency comb sources in the 3-5 micron wavelength range. This spectral region contains strong molecular absorption features for many industrially and environmentally relevant gases, making it especially powerful for precision sensing. Specifically, I will look at periodic poling for these integrated chips.”
Seward continued, “This research will help me produce meaningful work as I prepare for an applied physics PhD focused on integrated photonics. I am excited to learn more about nonlinear photonics, specifically how nonlinearities in materials platforms like thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) produce powerful integrated photonic circuits. I am also excited to get some experience in the clean-room facilities at Caltech, as that will be critical for the path I plan to take in graduate school research.”
Prof. Wright added, “I am grateful to see Lizzie have this opportunity to do cutting-edge research and to develop her skills with one of the most vibrant laboratories in the field of nonlinear optics today. She is a very promising young experimentalist, and this is a brilliant step for her to take her research abilities and contributions to the next level.”