Janice Hudgings

Janice Hudgings is the Seeley W. Mudd Professor of Physics and Chair of Physics and Astronomy at Pomona College, with appointments since 2013. She has held administrative roles including Vice President for Academic Affairs at Pomona and Associate Dean of Faculty at Mount Holyoke College. Dr. Hudgings is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America and a Senior Member of IEEE, with extensive contributions to optics and semiconductor device research.

Her research focuses on optics, semiconductor devices, and photonic systems, with specific interests in solar cells, energy-efficient lighting, semiconductor lasers, and thermal imaging techniques. She pioneered thermoreflectance imaging for defect analysis in optoelectronic devices and co-founded Alenas Imaging, a startup commercializing thermal imaging technology. Her work integrates undergraduate students into publishable research, reflecting her commitment to inclusive STEM pedagogy.

The 15 most recent publications highlight her expertise in VCSEL arrays, thermoreflectance microscopy, and charge transport in organic devices. These studies span thermal analysis of photovoltaics, laser arrays, and OLEDs, demonstrating her interdisciplinary approach. Awards include the

• NSF CAREER Award
• Esther Hoffman Beller Medal
• Wig Distinguished Professorship
• Rhodes Scholarship

Dr. Hudgings has secured over $2 million in grants from NSF, DOE, and HHMI, focusing on thermal management, photonic device innovation, and undergraduate science education. She advocates for curriculum reform and inclusive teaching methodologies, emphasizing hands-on research opportunities for students.