Dr. John Dudley – University of Franche-Comté: A recognized figure in the photonics world, Dudley’s research spans nonlinear and ultrafast optics. He was instrumental in establishing the International Day of Light, celebrated by UNESCO, to highlight the importance of photonic technologies.
Dr. Ursula Keller – ETH Zurich: Keller is known for her groundbreaking work in ultrafast laser technology and the development of semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs), widely used in mode-locking lasers.
Dr. Michal Lipson – Columbia University: A prominent figure in the silicon photonics realm, Lipson has pioneered several of the critical building blocks essential for silicon photonics technology, which promises to revolutionize computing, communication systems, and more.
Dr. Eli Yablonovitch – UC Berkeley: Often referred to as the father of photonic crystals, Yablonovitch’s work has dramatically impacted the field, guiding waves of light using structures that he designed.
Dr. Susumu Noda – Kyoto University: A prominent name in the photonic crystal domain, Noda has made pioneering contributions to the design and realization of three-dimensional photonic crystals.
Dr. Jelena Vuckovic – Stanford University: Vuckovic’s work focuses on designing photonic computational systems and translating quantum photonic systems into practical, manufacturable devices.
Dr. Aydogan Ozcan – UCLA: A leader in the field of biophotonics, Ozcan has been recognized for developing innovative computational microscopy, sensing, and diagnostic tools, often leveraging smartphone platforms.
Dr. Federico Capasso – Harvard University: Capasso’s extensive research in photonics includes the development of quantum cascade lasers and the investigation of new phenomena in metasurface platforms, which allow for the manipulation of light at unprecedented levels.
Dr. Andrea Alù – CUNY Advanced Science Research Center: Renowned for his work on metamaterials, Alù explores the possibilities of creating materials with properties not found in nature, with applications spanning from cloaking to novel methods of energy harvesting.
Dr. Lene Vestergaard Hau – Harvard University: Gaining worldwide attention for slowing down light to a halt in a cloud of ultra-cold atoms, Hau’s research bridges condensed matter physics, quantum electronics, and photonics.
