Alison Yao

I graduated from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Physics with Semiconductor Electronics and did a Ph.D. at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, theoretically and computationally modelling nonlinear optical systems. After a career break to raise my children, I worked in the Optics Group at the University of Glasgow investigating microrheology and optical tweezers, before returning to Strathclyde to work in quantum optics. I am currently a senior lecturer in the Computational and Nonlinear Optics Group at the University of Strathclyde and lead the Fully-Structured Light Group (FOAM).

My research is based upon the generation and applications of structured light, in particular light carrying orbital angular momentum. It ranges from understanding the fundamental properties of this light to investigating its behaviour in various nonlinear systems, such as demonstrating the mechanism behind optical rogue waves. This area of research has a wide range of potential applications including quantum communication, ocean optics, nonlinear beam propagation and interaction with chiral molecules.

I am also the Deputy Director of Teaching for the department and founder of the Women in Strathclyde Physics Association (WiSPA), which aims to support and encourage everyone identifying as a woman to continue on a STEM career path.