Celebrating the 2026 IESNYC Thesis Award Recipients 
Harithra Navaratnam, Rory Shamlian
and Hemkar Sharma 

July 2026

The IESNYC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 IESNYC Thesis Awards. Recognizing exceptional academic work and creative exploration in lighting, the annual awards celebrate emerging professionals whose research and ideas are helping shape the future of the lighting industry through innovation, critical thinking, and design excellence. Each recipient receives a $2,500 award in recognition of their outstanding thesis work 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. "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."

Harithra Navaratnam
Master of Science in Lighting
Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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."

Rory Shamlian
Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design
New York School of Interior Design 

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 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.

Her 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 demonstrates how lighting can do more than illuminate a building—it can help people feel welcomed, oriented, and connected while reinforcing the library's role as a place of discovery, learning, and community.

"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."

Hemkar Sharma
Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design
Parsons School of Design

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.

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. "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."

Investing in the Future of Lighting

"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. "Supporting the next generation of lighting professionals is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in the future of our industry."

The Thesis Awards are one of many ways the IESNYC supports the next generation of lighting professionals. Through initiatives including the IESNYC Merit Scholarship, the Student Lighting Competition, the Guiding Lights Circle mentorship program, and year-round educational events, the Section continues to foster creativity, professional development, and meaningful industry connections.

ABOUT THE IESNYC THESIS Awards

The IESNYC Thesis Awards is an annual monetary award given to students selected by their professors for demonstrating excellence in lighting design and/or research, and represent the intellectual insight, rigor, and quality standards as set forth by their respective school departments and each student’s thesis committee. Recipients must be a degree candidate in a graduate-level lighting program at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID), Parsons School of Design at the New School, or Lighting Research Center (LRC), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) School of Architecture. Recipients have the opportunity to present their thesis projects to the New York City lighting community at a special presentation event and eligible for consideration to be sent to the IES Annual Conference and present their work.

*Nominations are submitted by each school’s program director