Sheri Jahan Chowdhury
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single reason, as I have always been drawn to STEM and curious about how things work. Since my teen years, I have wanted to pursue a PhD, and throughout my career, I have stayed engaged in academia or research and development. Continuing with graduate studies felt like the most natural and fulfilling path for my intellectual growth and long-term career goals.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
UBC offers a strong program in my area of interest and a vibrant research environment. Beyond academics, the opportunity to live in Vancouver — where I'm close to family and friends, surrounded by natural beauty and part of a diverse community — made it the perfect place to grow both personally and professionally. After all, the campus combines two of my favorite things: the mountains and the beach!
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
During the pandemic, I took the online edX course on silicon photonics taught by Prof. Lukas Chrostowski, which renewed my deep interest in the field and the potential of the SiP platform. I was particularly inspired by his global efforts to make silicon photonics education and research widely accessible. What attracted me to this program was not only the chance to work with a world-renowned research group but also access to state-of-the-art facilities like the UBC Advanced Nanofabrication Facility (ANF) and 4D Labs (at Simon Fraser University) and collaborations with industry (such as C2MI) and academic leaders. Being part of this program offers the ideal combination of hands-on experience, advanced technical training and exposure to impactful, real-world applications in integrated photonics.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
I had heard a lot about the natural beauty of the location and had even watched videos before coming here, yet nothing compares to the serenity you feel in such proximity to nature. It is both breathtaking and calming at the same time!
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
What I enjoy most about my graduate program is the ability to work at the intersection of nanofabrication, photonic integration and packaging. I’m particularly excited about advancing wafer-scale laser integration with photonic wire bonding and characterizing the performance of these hybrid assemblies in real systems. I’m especially looking forward to exploring how photonic wire bonding and co-packaging techniques can push the limits of scalability and performance. It is also interesting to explore the thermal, optical and electrical challenges of integrating active components into passive SiP platforms and how these can be optimized for biosensing and quantum photonic applications.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
One of the biggest challenges I anticipate in my future career is keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change, especially with the growing role of AI and automation in research and engineering. While these advancements open exciting possibilities, they also demand constant learning and adaptation. Staying relevant will mean not only deepening my technical expertise but also developing interdisciplinary skills that complement AI-driven tools, so I can use them to enhance, not replace, human innovation.
My program gives me the opportunity to build a strong foundation in both the fundamentals and hands-on skills of photonic integration and nanofabrication, while also encouraging interdisciplinary thinking. Working in a research environment that blends device design, fabrication and system-level integration helps me stay adaptable. I also gain exposure to simulation tools, automation workflows and data analysis techniques that align with the evolving role of AI in technology. Just as importantly, the collaborative and fast-paced nature of my research group helps build the resilience and flexibility needed to navigate a rapidly changing field
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
My time at the Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics (KSOP) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, followed by hands-on research experience at Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec) in Belgium, played a major role in preparing me for the UBC graduate program. At KSOP, I built a strong foundation in photonics through a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum. Later, working on industry-academic collaborative projects at imec exposed me to advanced fabrication processes and applied research in a high-performance environment. That experience, combined with intensive technical training and professional development, shaped both my skill set and work ethic. Staying engaged in academic settings over the years also helped build the resilience and adaptability essential for success in a demanding graduate research program like UBC's.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I have a multitude of hobbies — I’m learning to play the ukulele, I love singing and I enjoy reading all kinds of storybooks, whether they’re written for children, teens or adults. I also find a lot of joy in home gardening, and whenever I get the chance, I seek out adventurous travel. That last one might not always be relaxing, but it always makes for a great story in my travel journal!
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
"Motivation is a guest; discipline pays the rent." This is something I still struggle to master, but it holds true for real, lasting success. If you are returning to studies after a break — like I did — it can feel overwhelming at first. But hang in there, show up consistently and give yourself time. It does get easier, and you will grow stronger with each step. Just be kind to yourself and also others around you.
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Learn more about Sheri Jahan's research
My research focuses primarily on laser integration into silicon photonic biosensors using photonic wire bonding. I aim to develop compact and scalable photonic systems that integrate on-chip lasers with dense photonic circuits and microfluidics, enabling high-performance, point-of-need diagnostic platforms. This tight integration not only supports lab-on-chip biophotonic applications but also aligns with emerging needs in co-packaged optics for data interconnects, holding potential impact in quantum photonic technologies where stable, on-chip light sources with minimal coupling loss are critical.