Oliver Licht ’25 and Katrin Birk ’25 selected for Fulbright Canada-MITACS Globalink research internships

Oliver Licht ’25 and Katrin Birk ’25 were selected for this year’s Fulbright Canada-MITACS Globalink research program. The program matches American undergraduate students with faculty at top Canadian universities for 10–12 weeks over the summer, where students pursue an advanced research project in their field of interest. The program also provides opportunities for professional training and cultural, social, and recreational experiences during students’ time in Canada.

Licht, a physics major, will work on quantum optics research at Université INRS (Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique) in Montréal. Licht’s project is titled, “Quantum-enhanced multi-parameter estimation in synthetic photonic lattices.”

“I’m exploring quantum metrology through quantum optics,” said Licht. “I’ll be working on experiments involving a quantum particle that can move between discrete points in a crystal. Essentially, my goal will be to design and test a system using quantum optics equipment to make the best possible measurements of that particle.” 

Licht said he’s excited by the opportunity to dive deeper into experimental optics research and use equipment he hasn’t had access to before. 

“[Experimental optics is] using light in an experimental context — lots of working with lasers and aligning them with mirrors, lenses, and other components,” explained Licht. “What’s different with the research I’ll be doing in Canada compared to what I’ve done at Carleton is instead of using lasers with a massive amount of light, I’ll be using single photon sources. So you’re working with very little light at the scale where quantum mechanics starts to make things really interesting.” 

Having visited Québec City when he was younger, Licht is looking forward to living in Montréal for the summer. “Living in Montréal on my own will be fun,” he said. “I’ll get to practice my French and explore the city.”

Licht is most excited by the prospect of all he’ll learn from the research experience. 

“Reading what I’m going to be doing, I don’t understand a lot of it right now,” he said. “It’s really exciting that after the summer I’ll have a stronger understanding from having explored it all.”

On the other side of Canada, Birk will be at the University of Calgary working on a project titled, “Impacts of Beavers on Fish Habitats.” Birk, who is double majoring in biology and studio art, will spend several weeks doing field work in the Rocky Mountains before returning to the lab to analyze water samples for macroinvertebrates. 

“I like doing field research,” Birk said. “Last summer I was a research assistant in the Arb office, and I’ve kept that job all year. It’s just fun to be outside, but I want to try studying mammals as well as plants to see if I like that.” 

In addition to her work as an Arb research assistant, Birk has worked in the lab of Assistant Professor of Biology Mike Nishizaki, studying the effects of temperature on respiration and feeding rates in mussels. Birk said she’s excited to gain more experience with both field and lab work. 

“I’ll be in a lab with postdocs, which I think is really exciting,” she said. “Getting to work in that environment is something I haven’t gotten to do before. I’m also kind of excited to live by myself, cook for myself, do all these things that I haven’t had to do before.” 

“I’m also looking forward to being out in the Rockies,” she added. “I love big mountains, and seeing beavers will be exciting.”

Students interested in applying to the Fulbright Canada-MITACS Globalink research program should contact Carleton’s Office of Student Fellowships for support and assistance.