ABOUT JENNIFER

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• Optical design and analysis
• Curiosity for discovering the way things work; research-minded
• Communication of concepts in geometrical optics, physical optics, optical metrology, research, and statistics to those in other fields of expertise
• Initiative and ability to collect complex project data and organize for team presentation
• Zemax (Seq, NS, ZPL), CODE V, MetroPro, Excel, SPSS, Minitab

Created designs, tolerances, and imaging performance predictions for precision optical products, working

interactively with experts in mount design, structures, optical fabrication, and operational modeling.

Design types include: Ritchey-Chrétien, Schmidt-Cassegrain, 4-mirror imager with dual spectral channels,

3-mirror anastigmat ( www.satimagingcorp.com/satellite-sensors/ikonos ), 5-mirror design with scanning

mirror, spotlight (Kohler Illumination), double Gauss camera lenses, digital binoculars, SWIR

reverse telephoto ( https://espo.nasa.gov/search/node/Leonardo ), cinema projection (Academy Award for the IMAX Prismless Laser Projector), large Offner relay, fire-sensing camera suite ( https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/04/030410072055.htm ), high resolution color printer, off-axis reflective beam reducer, lenticular arrays for 3D entertainment, and transmission spheres for interferometry.

Fizeau interferometry, Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing, distance measuring interferometry, contact and noncontact center thickness instruments, CGHs, large/fast surface form assessment. Designed interferometric test set for a large Offner relay system with a PM weighing 24 pounds, including methods to precisely locate object and image points, and a gimbal mount to achieve diffraction limited performance. Re-designed test set for production using Shack-Hartmann sensors, allowing alignment and test by assembly technicians, and drastically reducing cost. Designed and built a Shack-Hartmann sensor for coating stress assessment. Designed tests for measurement of non-spherical surfaces, using CGHs and auxiliary optics. Developed a static test for hemispherical surfaces. Ran R&R Gauge studies and developed measurement uncertainty budgets for optical shop instruments. Able to critique measurement of optical surface radius and irregularity, and lens center thickness and wedge.

Clear and creative presentations with emphasis on visual aids and multi-disciplinary comprehension. Tutorials on MTF, Line of Sight Budgeting, Zernike aberrations, Inferential Statistics, Lens Distortion in Linear Scanning Imagers, 12 Tips for Optical Manufacturing, Using the Cost Estimator in ZEMAX, Creating Drawings with ISO 10110. Invited speaker at ZEMAX Envision User’s Conferences 2017, 2018, 2019, speaker at ZEMAX training courses, speaker at University of Arizona Optical Sciences Department. Instructor for SPIE Short Course, "Cost Conscious Tolerancing of Optical Systems," SC720, 2023-2024. Adjunct instructor of Instrumental Optics and Photo Science. Eager to speak with customers to understand project requirements. 

Committed preparer of: System Requirements, Design Specifications, Assembly Procedures, Measurement

Procedures, Technical Reports, Meeting Agendas and Minutes, Sensitivity Tables, Measurement Uncertainty

Analyses, Instrument Selection Tables, Error Budget Trees, and University course lectures. 

Adjunct Instructor -- Monroe Community College, Optical Systems Technology (2021-2023)

Optical Metrology Engineer – Optimax, Ontario, NY (2016-2021)

Senior Optical Systems Engineer – IMAX Rochester, Inc., Rochester, NY (2013-2016) 

Research Technical Associate – University of Rochester, Department of Pediatrics (2010-2013)

Adjunct Statistics Professor – State University of New York at Brockport (2010-2012)

Student, Teaching Assistant, Researcher - State University of New York at Brockport (2006-2010)

Optical Engineer – Sole Proprietor of OPTAN, Rochester, NY (1999-2006)

Senior Optical Engineer – Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (1988-1999)

B.S. Optics, University of Rochester, GPA 3.8/4.0-  Graduate courses at the University of Rochester: Geometrical Optics, Physical Optics, Lens Design, Instrumental Optics, Biostatistics, GPA 4.0/4.0

 
B.S. and Master’s Degree, Psychology,  State University of New York at Brockport, GPA 4.0/4.0 

US Patents 5,361,129 | 5,283,629 | 6,456,435 

Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, Eastman Kodak Scholar

School of Science and Mathematics Graduate Award, SUNY Brockport 

SUNY Brockport Psychology Department Scholar  

Sigma Xi Undergraduate Researcher Award  

ZEMAX Consulting Partner, 2020

“I was very impressed with the [radius measurement uncertainty] document and feel that it is a very well written and well organized analysis.” Optimax customer  

“…she used good judgment in the apportionment of these tolerances and negotiated effectively with both internal groups and assisted us in determining final requirements with the customer.” Don McKeown, Phil Walker (Stock Option Award description)

“Pushback from manufacturing was not only welcomed, but encouraged.” Steve Maffett, Mechanical Engineering

Member of team that developed the World’s highest ANSI Contrast cinema projector (www.slashfilm.com/imax-laser-projection-video), and won a Technical Academy Award (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTsdRHpU0xQ). 

“Everything I’ve seen from her has been excellent…. She has helped out with Zemax and Metrology projects, both of which she seem[s] to be an expert at…” Optimax Peer Review

“[Jennifer] delivered excellent, clear, and timely documentation to allow the hardware and processes to be properly monitored.” Barry Silverstein, IMAX Senior Director of R&D Hardware

“She is organized in such a fashion that small, very important details do not ever get overlooked and are thoroughly documented.” Steve Maffett, Eastman Kodak Mechanical Engineer 

Recognition for the most Technical Memos used to guide the development of the IKONOS Space Telescope

“Knowing what optical shops need to build the part specs we send them is crucial for my research and my career. This is one of my favorite talks I have attended at OSC so far.” University of Arizona Graduate Student

“I learned a great deal in working with you - things I still use to this day.” Peter Hammond, Owner, Lightforce Technology

 “I thought Professor Michels was an excellent teacher. She really knew the material.” - “I appreciate the ways she developed understanding and enthusiasm.” SUNY Brockport student appraisals

 "During the development of our technology to integrate mechanical analysis with optical analysis so much of what we learned about optics we learned from Jennifer because she was so willing to cooperate across disciplines." Vic Genberg, President, Sigmadyne, Inc