Xuejun Fu

Biography

I am a rising junior at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) majoring in physics with a minor in mathematics. My current field of interest is in optics and photonics. However, I would like to pursue the relatively new and niche field of astrophotonics for my career. I recently joined an experimental optics lab at my university during the end of last semester and hope to start contributing in the upcoming academic year. Presently, I will be participating in the LIGO SURF REU this summer and be based at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). My project will be focused on analyzing and optimizing ring heater elements and characterizing different optical profiles of beam misalignment simulations. I have been an officer for my university's SPS Chapter since freshman year and plan to continue to be an officer until my graduation. Following my graduation, I hope to pursue a doctorate degree in physics with research focused on astrophotonics if I am accepted to one of the few places that conduct such research. With the limited free time I have, I often spend it reading or illustrating and occasionally writing as I enjoy having a form of creative outlet.