Susan Houde-Walter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Houde-Walter
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Susan Houde-Walter
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| Born |
Susan Nicole Houde
20 August 1954 New York City, NY
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| Alma mater | Sarah Lawrence College (BA) University of Rochester (MS, PhD) |
| Known for | Molecular Structure of Glass Superlattice Disordering Optoelectronic Design Quantum Cascade Laser |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics Optics Lasers |
| Institutions | University of Rochester Rochester Institute of Technology |
| Doctoral advisor | Duncan Moore |
Susan Nicole Houde-Walter was born on August 20, 1954. She is a talented scientist and a leader in business. Her work focuses on how light behaves, especially with lasers and special materials. She also studies how to create images using light.
Dr. Houde-Walter's skills have been used to help with national safety. She has traveled with the United States military. She also served on important science and policy groups. These include the Army Science Board and the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board.
She was chosen to be on the Board of Directors for Optica. This is a big group for people who study light. She even became its president in 2005. The Pentagon also picked her for a special conference called JCOC. In 2018, she received the Keeper of the Flame award. This award came from the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in New York City
Susan Nicole Houde was born in New York City. Her birthday is August 20, 1954. Her mother, Millicent, was a homemaker. Her father, Raymond Houde, was a doctor. He was known for helping people with long-term pain. He worked at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Her Path to Science
Susan grew up with an interest in art. She finished Sarah Lawrence College in 1976. There, she earned a degree in liberal arts. Later, she started studying physics. She took classes at different universities. These included New York University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
She then joined the University of Rochester. There, she studied optics. Optics is the study of light. She earned both her master's and doctoral degrees there. Her research looked at how to make special glass. This glass could bend light in unique ways.
Career Highlights
Teaching and Leadership in Optics
From 1987 to 2005, Dr. Houde-Walter was a professor. She taught optics at the University of Rochester. She was the first woman to be a regular faculty member. This was in the first 80 years of the Institute of Optics. In 2005, she left the University of Rochester. She then became an adjunct faculty member. This was at the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences.
She was also elected to lead Optica. This group used to be called the Optical Society of America (OSA). She served as its president.
Starting Her Own Companies
Dr. Houde-Walter and her husband, Will, started a company. It was called LaserMax, Inc.. This company makes laser equipment. It is used by regular people and law enforcement. Later, she became the CEO of another company. It was called LMD Power of Light. This company makes advanced laser equipment. It includes special lasers called quantum cascade lasers. These are used by the military and government.
Dr. Houde-Walter has many inventions. She holds over 25 patents. She has also written many articles. These are about optoelectronics and optical materials. From 2022 to 2023, she was a director and professor. This was at the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science. It is part of the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Serving the United States Military
Dr. Houde-Walter has held many important roles. She has served on science and policy boards. These boards help the United States Military. She has traveled a lot to support their work. In 2006, she was chosen for the 71st Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. This event was held in the United States Central Command.
She has also served on the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. She was also on the Army Science Board many times. She was part of the Intelligence Science and Technology Experts Group. Dr. Houde-Walter also serves on the NDIA board. This board focuses on special operations.
Awards and Recognitions
Honored for Her Contributions
Dr. Houde-Walter is a Fellow of two important groups. She became a Fellow of Optica in 1996. She also became a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society in 2000. Being a Fellow means she is a highly respected member.
She has received awards for her service. In 2014, she got the Public Service Commendation Medal. This was from the United States Department of the Army. In 2016, she received the Commander’s Award for Public Service. This was from the United States Department of the Air Force.
In 2017, she was named the New York Photonics Entrepreneur of the Year. This award recognized her success in business. In 2018, the National Women's Hall of Fame gave her the Keeper of the Flame Award. In 2020, Optica gave her the Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award.
See also
- Past Presidents of the Optical Society of America
