Meet the Exec Team of 2024-25!

Hulya Torun is the President of the Stanford Optical Society and was a Co-Chair of the Stanford University Photonics Retreat (SUPR 2024) Committee. She is an active member of SPIE and OPTICA. Dr. Torun is also a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences at Stanford University, where her research focuses on understanding brain resilience and aging through multi-omics and artificial intelligence (AI) approaches.

Dr. Torun earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, conducting her thesis research at both Koc University and Stanford University. Her Ph.D. centered on developing liquid biopsy techniques using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) combined with extracellular vesicles and AI, integrating advanced optical sensing technologies into biomedical diagnostics. Prior to joining the Neurology Department, she was a graduate researcher at Stanford Radiology, specializing in the development of optical diagnostic technologies for brain tumors. Her work has earned her several awards, patents, and publications, underscoring her commitment to advancing biomedical research.

With a strong background in biomedical engineering, Dr. Torun has expertise in AI-driven diagnostics, biosensing, and proteomics. Her interdisciplinary research integrates techniques from multiple fields to tackle complex challenges in human brain health.

Outside of her research, Hulya is a volleyball player and a dancer. She enjoys spending her free time playing volleyball, dancing, practicing pilates, and hiking.

Carson Valdez is the Co-President of the Stanford Optical Society and Co-Chair of the Stanford Optical Society Membership Committee. He is a doctoral candidate in the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University where his research focuses on leveraging silicon photonic as a platform for sensing networks.

Carson’s current projects aim to employ silicon photonic meshes, networks of Mach-Zehnder Interferometers, in coronagraphic imaging systems to improve exo-planet detection. To this end Carson has used machine learning techniques to design new optical coupling structures which have predicted efficiencies in excess of 90%. With a strong background in integrated photonics, Carson has expertise ranging from component level design up to large photonic integrated circuits comprising hundreds of active components.

Outside of his research, Carson enjoys rock climbing and baking at home.

Annie is the chair of the Membership Committee. She is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Electrical Engineering working with Olav Solgaard. Annie’s research is in creating new integrated photonics and free-space optical sensor platforms with a particular interest in applications in environmental sensing. In her free time, Annie enjoys backpacking, film photography, tinkering with broken electronics, and baking cakes.

Priyanuj (PJ) Bordoloi is a co-chair of the Outreach team of the Stanford Optical Society. He is a third-year PhD candidate in the Dionne group in the Materials Science and Engineering department. His research works in designing optical nanostucutes He has been an active member of SPIE and OPTICA since his undergraduate years and loves making optical demonstrations and organizing interactive classes for high school students. His special interests is (failing) to play songs using the laser harp. Outside work, he loves to soak sun as much as he can through running or hiking.

Anna is one of three co-chairs for the Outreach Committee. She is a third-year PhD candidate in Electrical Engineering and is part of the Solgaard Lab. Her research centers on the development of environmental sensing platforms using photonic crystals. In her free time, Anna enjoys swimming, needle felting, and playing the violin.

Clarisse is one of three co-chairs of the Optical Society Outreach Committee. She is a third year PhD candidate in electrical engineering. As a member of the Solgaard lab, her research is focused on laser driven electron accelerators. Outside of optics, she enjoys swimming, skiing and painting. 

Devin is a fourth year PhD student in Applied Physics. His research focuses on building small nonlinear optical sensors that could one day fit inside your phone. Outside of research, Devin loves to snorkel, play volleyball, and rollerblade around campus. 

Michael is a fourth year graduate student pursuing a PhD in Applied Physics. He is also the Financial Officer for Stanford Optical Society. His lab uses light-matter interactions to engineer novel quantum states with applications towards sensing, simulation and computation. Outside of research, he enjoys playing basketball.