Illuminate your career path

The University of Ottawa Optica-SPIE Student Chapter is proud to pilot its inaugural ExPho: Career Day in Photonics 2026! This event is meant to bring together industry professionals, students, and professors in photonics across Canada. Through this event, we hope to illuminate potential collaborations, share expertise, and to discuss emergent innovations happening in our community.Where? STM117, STEM Complex (STM), 150 Louis-Pasteur Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 9B4
When? February 27th, 2026

Event Program

Please note that our event schedule is being updated regularly. For any inquires, please contact [email protected]

Company Blitz

Each company will give a 2-5 minute presentation to introduce their work to the audience. The presentation format is flexible and may focus on products, services, or the company’s broader vision. As a whole, this session primarily serves as a introduction to the company and provides context for the Industry panel.

Industry Panel

In the Industry Panel, company representatives will come together and have a fireside chat about emergent trends in the community, and about their respective journeys to transition into industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to the representatives.

Company Exhibition

Companies will be setting up booths for networking and informal discussions between students and company representatives. Food and coffee will be provided throughout this time!

Poster Presentation

Attendees will have the opportunity to present their research to representatives and fellow attendees alike. A panel of judges selected from participating companies will evaluate poster presentations, with the best poster presentations receiving prizes!

Our Sponsors

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Donations

We acknowledge any donations in the form of money contributions, merchandise, brochures, etc!

Support Us!

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? We offer multiple ways to help support the event, each of which providing their own cool sponsorship perks! Check out our sponsorship package below for more information.

• Sponsorship Package

Registration

We encourage any students coming from Physics or Engineering background and who has a curiosity in photonics to attend our event! You can register as an attendee to the event, or you may also opt to show off some of your awesome research by submitting a poster.Spots for registration as an attendee and for posters are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so act fast!

• Register now!