Vector Photonics has appointed Anna O’Dowd as Design Engineer, responsible for the simulation development for the company’s all-semiconductor, PCSEL devices. Anna has a First Class degree in Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology, from Lancaster University, where she was the course representative and Physics ambassador. She recently graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MSc in Nanoscience and Nanotechnoloy.

Dr. Richard Taylor, CTO at Vector Photonics, said, “Anna’s impressive mathematical, analytical, problem-solving and computational skills were apparent whilst she worked at Vector Photonics on her University of Glasgow MSc research project, ‘Simulation of the Band Structure of PCSELs’. Now, as a staff member, we will continue to develop her research expertise, RSoft CAD modelling experience and nanofabrication lab skills. We also hope her particle physics background will help us develop new levels of granularity in the simulation of our PCSELs, accelerating our entry in to next-generation datacoms, additive manufacturing and 3D printing markets. She is an asset to the company, and we welcome her to the team.”

Anna was previously Implementation Lead at Enable International, configuring and implementing DealTrack, rebate management software around the world. This included running the newly opened San Francisco office.

Outside of work, Anna has a passion for performance acrobatics and circus skills, from juggling, stilt walking and poi, including with fire, to aerial acts like the hoop.