Biography

To the Reader:

My name is Lauren Taylor and I am an optics lover, a microscopy enthusiast, and a rising college junior.

Originally a biology major at Juniata College, I was pursuaded to change my field of study to physics upon taking an advanced level course in microscopy. I had always been interested in microscopy and its biological applications, even in high school (Cherokee High School, Marlton NJ), but I was not sure what drew me to the research technique itself. After a few weeks in the advanced level course, I found that I was astonished by the way a seemingly simple machine was able to create such accurate and intricately detailed images. The course lectures seemed to answer these questions with brief discussions of the optical train, light propogation, and lenses, but I was eager to know more. Spending much time browsing the Olympus Microscopy Resource Center and the Nikon MicroscopyU web pages, I came to know much more about the optical instruments of study, but the extent of my interests had not yet hit me. It was not until the day we discussed the optical industry and its far-reaching technologies that I decided what I wanted to pursue as a career, and that a change of major would not only be beneficial, but necessary.

Shortly after changing my major from biology to physics (still choosing to study biology as a minor), I began a research project for my microscopy course. Most of the students in my course chose to image certain microscopic features of cells or animals, or help other biology professors conduct their research. I, on the other hand, decided to study ways of increasing microscope resolution capabilities in a standard research microscope without the purchase of expensive technologies. My project was based on the study of how oblique (anaxial) illumination is able to resolve images better than standard brightfield illumination. In order to do this, I needed to incorporate optics theory and calculation into that of microscopy. I also needed to apply the theory experimentally and troubleshoot frequently due to the challenges provided by microscope mechanics. I continued this research through the spring semester and found that I was able to increase resolution by up to 20% through my experimentation techniques.

I learned much through my past research project concerning the relationships between optics and microscopy and am excited to continue research in optics to gain a broader understanding of the field and its study. By researching optics on a deeper level, both here at the LTC and in other laboratories, I will be able to become a more well-rounded student as well as a more versatile researcher. The additional knowledge and experience I can gain through optics research will help my studies and allow me to continue on to accomplish my educational and career goals. It will also allow me to learn which areas of optics I am most thoroughly interested in, directing me toward more appropriate career options in the future.

I am thrilled that I have become interested in optics, but will never lose my love for microscopy and its biological applications. I gained a great deal of knowledge through my college microscopy course, and I hope that I may conduct a project this summer that allows me to apply this knowledge, while also learning something new. I am hoping that my time here at the LTC will allow me to learn much more about optics through hands on experimentation as it helps me to harness both of my interests and put them to good use.