Beyond the Lab: A Journey with Lasers
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Beyond the Lab: A Journey with Lasers
Wed, 21/05/2025 - 11:00 to 12:00
Location:
Speaker:
Dr Nikita Daga
Affiliation:
EPSRC IAA project manager at Heriot-Watt University
Synopsis:
Career Talks for PGRs and ECRs - Lecture 4
We are excited to announce the next lecture in the series "Navigating Beyond the Thesis: Exploring Career Horizons for Postgraduate Students." This series aims to provide PhD students with invaluable insights into the diverse career paths available after completing their degrees.
In each session, we will host external speakers who have successfully transitioned into various sectors, including Industry, Academia, Clinical fields, Government Agencies, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Education and Training, Non-profits, and NGOs. Our goal is to inspire and equip you with a broader understanding of your career options, helping you make informed decisions about your future.
We are thrilled to announce that the fourth lecture will be given by Dr Nikita Daga – seasoned photonics professional and EPSRC IAA project manager from Heriot-Watt University. In her talk, "Beyond the Lab: A Journey with Lasers," Dr. Daga will share her career journey and offer insights into how her unique combination of expertise in photonics and business management has enabled her to translate cutting-edge science and technology into real-world applications.
We encourage you to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights into the career possibilities that lie ahead.
We will have some coffee/Tea and Danish pastries for you.
Biography:
Dr Nikita Daga is a seasoned photonics professional with over 25 years of experience spanning technical research, industry leadership, and academic input. With a unique blend of expertise in photonics and business management, she is passionate about translating cutting-edge science and technology into real-world applications. She currently serves as the EPSRC IAA Project Manager and Network Manager at Heriot-Watt University, where she leads initiatives focused on research impact. In addition, she was recently appointed the Global Entrepreneur in Residence at Queen Margaret University, further amplifying her role in fostering innovation and cross-institutional collaboration. Dr Daga is also the Managing Director of LaserQuant Technology and Invenita Ltd, with operations in the UK, India, and Hong Kong. Her global perspective is shaped by a rich academic and professional journey—from her roots in Nagpur, Central India, to her studies and work across continents. She holds a PhD in Photonics from the Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton, an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, and a master's degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia. Beyond her formal roles, Dr Daga contributes her expertise as a board member and panellist on several global institutes and platforms, particularly in the fields of physics and laser technology. She is also a passionate advocate for STEM outreach, inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators.