Dr. Michelle Povinelli

Biography

Michelle Lynn Povinelli is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California, specializing in the field of nanophotonics, which involves the study of light interaction with nanoscale structures. She has developed a research group focused on nanophotonic structures, including photonic crystals and microresonators, with applications in security, optical communications, energy, and biology. Povinelli utilizes both theoretical and experimental techniques to study the fundamental science of nanophotonic materials, to design novel devices, and to optimize their applications. Her research has received funding from various sources, including the National Science Foundation, the Army Research Office, NASA, DARPA, and private companies. She is a Fellow of Optica and has been recognized for her contributions to science and technology with numerous awards, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) and the MIT TR35 Award for innovators under 35. Her academic background includes a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master’s from the University of Cambridge, and a Bachelor’s from the University of Chicago, along with postdoctoral research experience at Stanford University.

Research Interests

Awards