Surya Kamal, Ph.D. 

Hello! I am Surya Kamal, a Research Scientist (Researcher/Engineer II) and Adjunct Faculty member at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, New York, USA.

My research focuses on optical physics, computational imaging, wave optics, and optical metrology, with particular interests in wavefront sensing, phase retrieval, inverse problems and optical system modeling. My training in Imaging Science has provided me with a broad foundation in the physics and computational principles of imaging, allowing me to explore their applications across diverse fields, including microscopy,  photonics, medical imaging, materials characterization, and remote sensing.

I pursue independent research directions while actively collaborating with researchers across disciplines to develop new imaging and optical measurement methods. At RIT, I collaborate with Prof. Richard Hailstone in electron microscopy, Prof. Stefan Preble in integrated photonics and micro-optics, and Prof. Shikhar Jha on developing phase-retrieval-based metrology methods for characterizing material wettability.

Alongside my research, I am actively involved in undergraduate and graduate education. I have developed and taught courses ranging from Fundamentals of Imaging Science to Computational Imaging and New Optics, integrating fundamental physical principles with modern computational and experimental approaches. I am also developing a new course, Introduction to Quantum Imaging, planned for Fall 2027.

I earned my Ph.D. in Imaging Science and M.S. in Physics from RIT. My previous experience includes working as an Electron Optics Engineer at ASML and research appointments at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.

I welcome opportunities for scientific discussions and interdisciplinary collaborations. Please explore my research, publications, and teaching activities, or feel free to contact me. My academic CV is available below.