Faculty & Staff
Ashiq Rahman
I am an Assistant Professor of Physics at Illinois College, where I teach and mentor students in physics, engineering, and interdisciplinary scientific research. My work focuses on optics and photonics, especially how light behaves in complex materials and waveguides, as well as computational modeling of physical systems. My broader research interests include nonlinear optics, ultrafast optics, supercontinuum generation, and emerging projects at the intersection of optics, quantum science, and scientific computing. I enjoy building research projects that are both theory-driven and hands-on, with opportunities for undergraduate students to contribute through coding, modeling, experiments, and data analysis. Before joining Illinois College, I earned my Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Connecticut, where my research focused on ultrafast optical pulse generation and supercontinuum generation in chalcogenide waveguides.
What is the coolest thing you're doing/have recently done with students?
One of the most exciting things I’m building with students is a research program where we use physics, math, and coding together to explore how light behaves in advanced materials and optical systems. Depending on the project, students might simulate how ultrafast laser pulses travel through waveguides, help design low-cost optics experiments, or work on computational models that connect classroom physics to real research problems. I especially enjoy creating projects where students can start with simple ideas and quickly grow into doing work that feels like real scientific discovery!
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
What I enjoy most is seeing students realize they are capable of much more than they initially think. Some students come in believing research is only for experts, but once they start asking questions, writing code, building experiments, or analyzing data, they begin to see themselves as scientists and problem-solvers. I love helping students grow from learning concepts in class to using those ideas creatively in real projects, and I especially enjoy mentoring students from different backgrounds and experience levels.