Dr Rair Macêdo he/him

My group’s current research areas include studying the interaction between light and spin in order to create or mediate channels from transfer of quantum information (in addition to the storage and manipulation of information). We also work on ways of designing electromagnetic wave propagation (typically though materials’ properties). By designing novel and unusual optical behaviour, we can create devices which can be employed in several technological applications from sensing, to imagining and signal processing across a broad range of frequencies.

I currently supervise 2 students sponsored by industry and work with colleagues at Schools of physics and chemistry in Glasgow and Queens University Belfast. In addition, I have been working with the Biofrontiers centre at the University of Colorado to design optical filters for imaging of biological, live tissue. These collaborations will certainly continue to flourish and themes will continue to be topical for projects I would like to support students through the DiveIN CDT.

I try to guide students through their PhD trying to identify how they can best achieve their goals. I am particularly keen in working with them for parts of the project, either in the lab or through small computational tasks–I find it is often a good way for students to realise they are not doing things wrong and that I can too get it wrong or be frustrated by a seemingly unsolvable problem.

My commitment to EDI stems from my own experiences through academia and are evidenced by my current EDI roles including being EDI champion for a CDT, current Chair of EDI for the James Watt School of Engineering, and a member of the Opening Up Photonics (co-Chair) with Technology Scotland.