Debasmita Banerjee, a Ph.D. candidate at UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL), has earned two national honors recognizing her contributions to photonics research and efforts to make STEM education more accessible.

At CREOL, Banerjee conducts research with Dr. Yannick Salamin in Quantum Nonlinear Photonics Group and Dr. David Hagan in Nonlinear Optics Group, in ultrafast Quantum Nonlinear Optics, currently investigating how different degrees of freedom of light can be quantum mechanically entangled. Her work focuses on generating multidimensional quantum resources using optical frequency combs, with potential applications in quantum computing, communication, and precision sensing.

Beyond the lab, Banerjee is committed to creating opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to hands-on science education. Her efforts earned her the 2026 Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Spark Award, which recognizes emerging scientists for their leadership and commitment to making STEM more inclusive. She also received a 2026 SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarship recognizing her academic achievements and potential to contribute to the field.

“I believe advancing scientific discovery and expanding access to science should go hand in hand. My research explores how we can harness the quantum properties of light to develop technologies that are not possible with conventional approaches. Receiving the AWIS Spark Award is especially meaningful because it recognizes both scientific ambition and the responsibility to create opportunities for the next generation of researchers,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee has introduced optics education in underserved Indian schools, helped develop Optica’s Simulight Optics Challenge, and created Quanticle to make quantum optics accessible. She also contributes to STEM mentorship and science policy. Her recognitions include an Optica Innovation Prize with the Optical Fabrication and Testing Technical Group, the 2025 SWE Rising Technical Contributor Award, the 2024 McMurtry Paper Prize, and the 2024 Adobe Digital Edge Award in STEM.

Together, these honors recognize her commitment to advancing photonics research while creating opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers.