Dr. Rodica Martin received a Ph.D. in physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and held postdoctoral positions at the University of Florida working in the Advanced LIGO Project, on development, design and characterization of optical components for the Input Optics subsystem.

Dr. Martin's research interests are in the field of experimental gravitational physics and optics for high laser power operation, with focus on development and design of optical components and instrumentation for future gravitational-wave detectors. She is particularly interested in the development and characterization of low-loss Faraday isolators, both for low and high-laser power operation, and is investigating magneto-optical materials at room and cryogenics temperature, that have potential of improving the detectors sensitivity around 2 micrometer operating wavelength.

Dr. Martin is also interested in scattering simulations and aspects related to stray light control in the LIGO detectors, characterization of optical systems under high laser-power operation, and novel materials for magneto-optical sensors and space applications.