The future of hollow-core fibre is safe in the hands of high performing PhD student
High-performing Airguide Photonics PhD student, Natsupa Taengnoi has been recognised for her excellence and achievements in the annual Team ’96 Prize.
Natsupa was selected by a panel of judges for her outstanding efforts across their studies so far.
This prestigious award has been acknowledged by previous winners as opening doors for collaboration, boosting confidence and enhancing CVs.
The Team ’96 Prize is funded by ORC alumnus Anatoly Grudinin and recognises outstanding achievements by two students in the final year of their PhDs. Anatoly was at the ORC for 10 years during which time he pioneered short-pulse fibre lasers, soliton transmission systems and cladding-pumped fibre lasers as a Research Fellow and Professor. He completed his academic career by launching his fibre laser company, Fianium. The Team ’96 Prize is a tribute to a highly prolific research period at the ORC. The winners receive cash prizes of £5,000.
Natsupa was chosen by the judges as a gifted student who is set to become an exceptional academic. They recognised her clear technical talent and her experimental work that has advanced research in the cutting-edge hollow-core fibre Airguide Photonics Programme. They also valued the work she has done to bring photonics to the public through contributions to music workshops engaging children in physics. They saw in Natsupa the talent, confidence, and drive to achieve her ambitions, and even exceed her expectations.
“Natsupa is a goal-driven and practical person with a positive demeanour and bright personality who has accomplished a substantial body of work during her studies. She has been a brilliant PhD student, demonstrating great achievement and fully deserves the recognition of the Team 96 Prize ”, says Professor Periklis Petropoulos, PhD Supervisor
How did it feel to be nominated for this award?
I was very pleased to find out that I had been nominated me for this award. I never imagined that I would have this opportunity during my final year of study.
How did you feel when you heard you had won?
I was elated when I was informed. It came as quite a surprise as I knew it would be competitive. I felt very grateful that the panel had selected me, and I was pleased that the short presentation I had given had managed to encapsulate the work of my PhD.
What does this mean to you personally and professionally?
My experience throughout my PhD reminds me of my favourite phrase ‘Where there's a will, there's a way!’
Receiving this award is a great milestone in my life and proves that all of the hard work and effort over the last few years was worthwhile. It is a great outcome for me, as it reflects the progress I have made in understanding photonics - I came from an electrical engineering background - and makes me feel that I am slowly becoming a member of the global photonics research community.
How will it help you in the future?
This award will help recognise my achievement during my research and will help me to advance my career path in academia. It will be invaluable for supporting future grant applications as well as any academic promotions in my career.
Award Panel Statement
Natsupa is a gifted student set to become an exceptional academic. She has clear technical talent and her experimental work has advanced research in the cutting-edge hollow-core fibre programme, Airguide Photonics.
Natsupa has achieved an impressive 26 publications over her PhD, with seven as first author, already gaining some 150 citations. She is motivated to build a career in academia and has already laid solid foundations.
Beyond her contributions to the academic community, Natsupa has helped bring photonics to the public through contributions to designing demonstrations for workshops which engaged children in physics through making music.
She has clear plans for her future research as well as her future career. We see in Natsupa the talent, confidence, and drive to achieve her ambitions, and even exceed her expectations.