As the Seeley W. Mudd Professor of Physics at Pomona College, Professor Janice Hudgings has a strong interest in undergraduate education, advocating for pedagogical reform in the classroom, actively inclusive teaching, and the integration of research opportunities into the curriculum. In recognition of these efforts, Janice won the Optical Society of America’s Esther Hoffman Beller Medal and a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation. She served previously as an Associate Dean of Faculty at Mount Holyoke College and as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Pomona College. Most recently, she was named a Wig Distinguished Professor at Pomona College; “[The Wig award] for excellence in teaching is the highest honor bestowed on Pomona faculty and recognizes exceptional teaching, concern for students and service to the College and the community.”

Professor Hudgings’ research focuses on optics and semiconductor devices, including solar cells, energy efficient lighting, and lasers. She has published more than 30 articles in scholarly journals, many of which are coauthored with undergraduate students. She is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America and received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her work on vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, an award that NSF describes as its most prestigious honor in support of junior faculty who “exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.” In 2007, Janice and her collaborators founded the startup company Alenas Imaging to commercialize the thermal imaging technology developed in her laboratory.

Janice earned a B.A. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Engineering with distinction from Swarthmore College. As a Rhodes Scholar, she studied “maths and philosophy” at Oxford University before receiving a M.Sc. in Mathematics. She earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1999.

When not at work, Professor Hudgings is an avid hiker, and is very much enjoying living in California again!