March 13, 2025
2025 J.A. Woollam Company Scholarship goes to Khalil Gatto, University of Arizona
Congratulations to Khalil Gatto – recipient of a 2025 J.A. Woollam Company Scholarship from the SVC Foundation. Khalil is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Arizona. He interned at Texas Instruments, where he worked directly with e-beam physical vapor deposition (PVD) of AR thin films for their DLP products. Of this experience, Khalil says, “Working on the root cause involving anti-reflective (AR) thin films was an invaluable experience. I characterized thin films under varying substrate temperatures, ion-assisted deposition parameters, deposition rates, and gas flow conditions. Using ellipsometry, I demonstrated physical differences in the AR films that were previously unknown. This experience deepened my appreciation for vacuum coating processes and provided practical insights into how they align with semiconductor fabrication.”
When Khalil learned of his scholarship award, he wrote, “I am exceptionally honored to be selected as a recipient of the J.A. Woollam Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship significantly impacts my academic journey and personal growth. Generous acts like yours allow me to focus solely on the content of my curriculum and undergraduate research, ensuring that my dream continues to be a reality. Academia and science are my passions. A passion that you have encouraged and may benefit the future of nanoelectronics, which are a staple in our daily lives.”
