Layton Hall, Class of 2009

Name: Layton Hall

Class Of: 2009

High School: The Visual & Performing Arts Arts Center Early College (VPAC), now Crossroads Arts and Science Early College

College(s): Mitchell Community College, AS (2014) University of North Carolina at Charlotte, BS, Physics (2017) University of North Carolina at Charlotte, BS, Electrical Engineering (2017) University of North Carolina at Charlotte, MS, Optical Science and Engineering (2019) University of Central Florida, PhD, Optics and Photonics (2023).

Occupation: Postdoctoral scientist at the University of Central Florida in the College of Optics & Electronics

Currently Living In: Orlando, Florida

"My name is Dr. Layton Hall, and I am a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Central Florida in the College of Optics and Photonics. I recently finished my PhD in Optics and Photonics from the same university where I studied optical physics (or the physics of light), in particular, the sculpting of the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom of optical pulses to create a new class of optical beams known as space-time wave packets. My work has resulted in 17 publications in journals ranging from Nature Physics, Physical Review Letters, and Advances in Optics and Photonics. I have received several awards for my work, including the Order of Pegasus at UCF. From this, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with NASA, the Space Force, and the Office of Naval Research to perform cutting-edge research on fundamental science. I attended ARS for my elementary and middle school years. ARS was an excellent start for me that gave me the educational foundations, ranging from mathematics to writing, that I use daily for my scientific endeavors. More importantly, the teachers at ARS, such as Ms. Dash when I was in elementary school, really inspired me and planted the seeds to become the physicist I am today." - Layton Hall

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About ARS:

American Renaissance School is a K-8 public charter school in Historic Downtown Statesville, NC.

Our mission is to ensure a standard of academic excellence by providing a nurturing environment that allows each child to reach their fullest potential as students and citizens.

Our vision is to be the best choice for education in North Carolina. Our board, administration, staff, and teachers, with parental and community input, have identified our core beliefs and core values, which in turn are reflected in our strategic priority areas. These guide our daily operations at all levels.

Learn more about ARS here.