April 2024
My name is Ruichen, and I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in optical engineering from the University of Rochester. During my sophomore year, I took a writing class focused on crafting resumes and cover letters. One of the assignments required us to research various research groups and write a cover letter for one. This was when I first discovered the Cardenas Lab. On their website’s front page, I saw images of microchips and a hand holding the tip of a fiber. Instantly intrigued, I decided to write a cover letter for this research group.
However, the onset of COVID-19 forced me to return to China, making it impossible to join any research groups at the time. Despite this setback, I continued to dream of one day being part of a research team.
After completing my undergraduate studies, I decided to pursue a master’s degree at the same university, with plans to complete a master’s thesis. I was introduced to a project under Professor Cardenas, marking the beginning of my journey with his research group.
Initially, I was an apprentice in research, and even the PowerPoints I created were difficult to follow. Jaime provided me with invaluable advice and taught me the fundamentals of conducting research. I gradually became used to life in a research group, reading papers relevant to my research and learning to use various simulation software.
Group meetings were a cornerstone of our work, where we presented our research or discussed journal articles, receiving feedback from others. Our group also bonded through various activities. Last summer, we visited the zoo together, and during Thanksgiving, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Jaime’s house.
Fabrication and testing of photonic devices are crucial components of our research. Cornell’s Nanoscale Facility (CNF) became our second “home.” Although it was challenging at first, with the support of my group members, I learned to fabricate and test devices independently. I gained extensive experience in the cleanroom and learned to use various pieces of equipment. This hands-on experience is one of the unique opportunities offered by our research group.
Time has flown by, and my two years of master’s study now seem like a brief but significant chapter in my life. These years have been long enough to form lasting memories and connections with everyone I encountered. The people here have paved a smoother path for me, making my journey during my master’s study much easier.
As I move on to my career in the industry, I will always cherish my time at the Cardenas Lab. The experiences and relationships I’ve built here will stay with me, and I will always look back fondly on my life in this research group.
