New York, NY — The New York City Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNYC) proudly announces the recipients of the 2026 IESNYC Thesis Awards. Recognizing exceptional academic work and creative exploration in lighting, the annual awards celebrate emerging professionals whose contributions are shaping the future of the profession through innovation, critical thinking, and design excellence.

This year, the IESNYC is honored to recognize Harithra Navaratnam, Rory Shamlian, and Hemkar Sharma for their outstanding thesis submissions. Each recipient receives a $2,500 award for their achievement and contribution to the lighting community.

Shining a Light on Emerging Talent

“The future of our profession depends on the curiosity, creativity, and commitment of the next generation,” said Zachary Pearson, President of the IESNYC (Fisher Marantz Stone). “The IESNYC Thesis Awards recognize emerging lighting professionals who are asking thoughtful questions, exploring new ideas, and pushing our industry forward. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and welcome them into our vibrant lighting community.”

Meet the 2026 Thesis Award Recipients

Harithra Navaratnam

Master of Science in Lighting at the Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute received the award for her thesis, “Parametric Analysis of a 3D Printed Baffle Optics Geometry for Glare Reduction and Tailoring Output Beam Intensity Distribution.”

Growing up in Sri Lanka, Harithra became interested in how design decisions shape people’s everyday experiences, particularly in resource-constrained environments. Her background in architecture sparked an interest in the relationship between lighting, energy performance, and human well-being, ultimately leading her to pursue graduate studies at the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Her thesis explores how custom-designed, 3D-printed baffle optics can improve the performance of linear LED luminaires by reducing glare with minimal reduction in fixture efficiency while improving illumination uniformity. Combining lighting design, optical technology, and human-factors research, her work demonstrates how emerging technologies such as 3D printing of optical elements can reshape light distribution to improve visual comfort while supporting more flexible and efficient lighting solutions.

“Receiving the IESNYC Thesis Award has reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in architectural lighting design and affirmed that I have chosen the right professional path,” she said. “What I value most about the IESNYC is that it recognizes students and emerging professionals not simply as observers, but as active contributors to the future of the industry. By creating opportunities to learn, present ideas, and connect with the broader lighting community, the IESNYC encourages new voices and demonstrates that their contributions are truly valued.”

Rory Shamlian

Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design at the New York School of Interior Design received the award for her thesis, “Scarsdale Public Library.”

Rory’s journey into lighting design began at the workbench, restoring and rewiring vintage and antique lighting fixtures. That hands-on experience sparked a fascination with the relationship between craftsmanship, technology, and light, eventually leading her to found a company designing and building ceramic lighting. As her company grew, so did her desire to better understand the broader discipline of lighting design. Pursuing a master’s degree in lighting design at the New York School of Interior Design became a natural next step, allowing her to bridge her background in decorative lighting with a deeper understanding of architectural lighting and the built environment.

Rory’s thesis draws inspiration from the historical role of the lantern as a guide through darkness, exploring its parallel to the role public libraries play within their communities. Through thoughtful lighting design, she used modern interpretations of lanterns as visual landmarks and wayfinding elements to create a space that feels warm, inviting, and inclusive. Her project explores how lighting can do more than illuminate a building—it can make people feel welcomed, oriented, and connected while reinforcing the library’s role as a place of discovery, learning, and connection.

“Receiving the IESNYC Thesis Award is both humbling and affirming,” she said. “As someone entering the architectural lighting profession from a somewhat unconventional background, this recognition provides encouragement and visibility at an important moment in my career. More than anything, it reminds me of the value of curiosity, persistence, and trusting the design process, and I am grateful to have my work recognized by a community of designers whose work I deeply admire.”

Hemkar Sharma

Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design at Parsons School of Design received the award for his thesis, “Luminance as Language: A Methodology and Tool for Perception-Based Lighting Communication.”

Hemkar’s path to lighting design began in his grandfather’s electrical workshop, where he developed an early fascination with how light could transform the feeling of a space. After studying mechanical engineering and working for a custom decorative lighting manufacturer, he realized he wanted to move beyond designing individual luminaires and play a larger role in shaping how light is experienced within the built environment. That realization led him to pursue architectural lighting design.

His thesis explores one of the field’s most fundamental challenges: how to better understand and communicate the way people experience light. By combining subjective human perception with technical luminance measurements, Hemkar developed Lumen, a calibrated iOS application that measures luminance with accuracy comparable to professional equipment. His research demonstrates how perception-based lighting decisions can be supported by measurable data, helping designers communicate lighting quality more effectively while making advanced field measurements more accessible.

“Receiving the IESNYC Thesis Award has been meaningful not only as recognition, but as validation of research I believe can make a lasting contribution to the profession,” he said. “When I joined the IESNYC at the start of my MFA, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the community I found was incredibly welcoming and generous with its time and knowledge. Being in a room with practitioners who have decades of experience, and having them genuinely engage with your ideas, is something you can’t replicate in a classroom. The IESNYC creates a space where students and seasoned professionals are part of the same conversation, making the lighting industry feel less intimidating and creating a genuine sense of belonging.”

Supporting the Next Generation

“Congratulations to this year’s Thesis Award recipients. We are proud to recognize their thoughtful research and dedication to advancing the field of lighting,” said Mike Barr, IESNYC Board Member and Thesis Award Chair (Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.). “Supporting the next generation of lighting professionals is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in the future of our industry. The IESNYC is committed to encouraging new talent, recognizing achievement, and fostering connections that extend well beyond graduation.”

The Thesis Awards are one of many ways the IESNYC invests in the future of lighting. Through programs such as the annual IESNYC Merit Scholarship, the Student Lighting Competition, the IESNYC Guiding Lights Circle mentorship initiative, and year-round educational events, the Section is committed to nurturing creativity, fostering professional connections, and supporting the growth of the next generation of lighting professionals.

Congratulations to Harithra Navaratnam, Rory Shamlian, and Hemkar Sharma on this well-deserved recognition. The IESNYC looks forward to seeing their continued contributions to the lighting community.

For more information about the IESNYC and its initiatives, visit www.iesnyc.org.

About the IESNYC

IESNYC (www.iesnyc.org) is the New York City Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society.  The IESNYC is a volunteer professional membership organization whose members share a mutual appreciation for and fascination with all things lighting. They are lighting designers, architects, engineers, consultants, lighting manufacturers, lighting representatives, electrical distributors, and allied professionals. IESNYC members are dedicated to promoting the art and science of illumination engineering to their members, professionals, the lighting industry, and the public through inspiring events, informative programs and educational series, social outreach, and networking opportunities.