College of Optics & Photonics (CREOL)

College of Optics and Photonics Dean Bahaa Saleh (left) presents the college's 2014 Professional Achievement Award to Michael Mielke, '00, '03. (PHOTO: Brandon Chestnut) — College of Optics and Photonics Dean Bahaa Saleh (left) presents the college’s 2014 Professional Achievement Award to
Michael Mielke, ’00, ’03.
(PHOTO: Brandon Chestnut)

Michael Mielke, Ph.D., ’00, ’03 | Chief Scientist, Raydiance

Professional Achievement Award 2014

Designing and building laser-based solutions may sound like a dream job, but Michael Mielke had obstacles to overcome in order to attain his position at Raydiance in Northern California. After finding the telecommunications field in fiber optics no longer viable upon graduating UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics, Mielke was forced to “re-focus” his career path. Fortunately, CREOL’s education went beyond optics, and provided the necessary preparation for Mielke to now integrate disparate fields of study for a common goal.