We had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Claus Roll, Director of Optica in Europe, during his visit to Tromsø. Through Krishna Agarwal’s efforts, we were able to arrange meetings that brought together teams involved in optics and photonics research at UiT–The Arctic University of Norway. These interactions helped us explore how our ongoing work in 3DNanoscopy fits into the global research landscape.
Dr. Roll highlighted various opportunities that students and early-career researchers can leverage, from educational workshops and networking events to hands-on collaborations and publication avenues. He also highlighted the many ways Optica supports researchers: providing tools, services, and events that open doors for international collaboration. Speaking directly with him and members of the Arctic Optica Student Chapter underscored the importance of face-to-face engagement. Reading about opportunities online is one thing, but discussing them in person can spark new ideas, forge connections, and build confidence for the road ahead.