Francesca Hoekzema

Hey! I’m studying Optical Engineering at the University of Rochester, but I actually started in Biomedical Engineering until an intro optics class totally pulled me in. Since then, I’ve been diving into lens design, imaging, and all things light.

I’m a big fan of hands-on work, solving tricky problems with a team, and seeing how theory plays out in the real world. When I’m not in the lab or the classroom, I’m probably out hiking, on the rugby field, or just hyping up the people around me because great energy makes great things happen.

I’m an Optical Engineering student with a mix of technical skills and real-world experience that I’m excited to bring to an internship. I’ve worked on academic projects involving lens design, imaging systems, and optical simulations using MATLAB and CodeV. I enjoy digging into challenging problems—like modeling heat diffusion or building femtosecond pulses—and turning theory into something practical.

Outside of class, I’ve taken on leadership roles, like being the Match Secretary for my rugby team and working as a Resident Camp Counselor, where I learned how to stay organized, communicate well, and work closely with others. I’m looking for an internship where I can keep learning, contribute to a team, and do something different every day.

Geometrical Optics, Physical Optics, Matlab, Optics Practical Labs, Waves and Modern Physics, Math Methods for Optics Majors,