To request a Distinguished Lecturer for an upcoming chapter event, review the list of Distinguished Lecturers’ various talks below and reach out to the lecturer directly via the contact information provided. Distinguished Lecturers are volunteers of the Society, not full-time staff. Meaning, lecturers determine their travel arrangements and time commitment around their individual, work-life balance schedules.
In order to secure a lecturer, make sure to contact the lecturers early and preferably months prior to your event. If a lecturer is available at the time of your event and accepts a talk invitation, the lecturer will travel to your chapter or give a virtual lecture at no cost to the chapter.
Application Period: June 1 – August 31, 2025
Applicants must complete their submission by the submission deadline.
A complete application package submitted must include:
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Submission Deadline: August 31, 2025
Read Abstract
Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that uses advanced algorithmic methods to analyze data and to optimize system performance. Machine learning is becoming a standard tool in ultrafast nonlinear photonics, with particular interest in exploring how optical nonlinearities can be exploited in optical computing. This talk will review this rapidly developing area, covering topics such as neural networks applied to data analysis, evolutionary algorithms for broadband source optimization, data-driven techniques for the discovery of physical models, and supercontinuum nonlinearity applied to optical neural networks. The talk will be at a tutorial level and suitable for non-specialists.
Read Abstract
Being able to effectively communicate science to different audiences is an essential skill for all scientists and engineers, and is especially important for students and recent graduates looking to establish their careers. This talk will consider a range of issues in science communication, from tips on how to explain your research to a technical audience through paper writing and conference talks, to general topics on outreach and public engagement and why we should be doing this more. The talk will also describe career opportunities in science communication and how these can be combined with positions in academia and industry.
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This talk will cover the current status of co-packaging efforts, both VCSEL- and SiPh-based, where they fit into the Ethernet switch market and the evolving Computer IO market, and how these technologies are advancing HPC, Data Center, and AI applications. The emphasis will be on new requirements and challenges driven by AI systems.
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Research in a corporate environment usually requires a PhD. This talk will start with the decision to pursue a PhD and the benefit of being an IEEE student member. It will then focus on how to build a successful career in a corporate research environment that faces constant external market pressures and how to bring technology out of a lab an into a product. It draws on my 32-year experience at IBM Research. It will also cover my involvement with optical conference committees.
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In this talk I will provide a comprehensive overview of our research on developing novel materials for photonics while combining experimental and computational tools. First, I will discuss our progress towards discovering new optical emitters for thermophotovoltaics that operate >1,500 oC. Second, I will share how we established a field termed ‘transient photonics’, where we developed optical devices that vanish in water after stable operation. Third, I will present how the alloying of metals can be effectively used to engineer the electromagnetic spectrum, relevant for photo-catalysis. An outlook of potential research directions in photonics with burgeoning materials will be presented.
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The unavoidable globalization of our society is currently also echoed in research. In this talk, I will provide my perspective of working in four countries (three continents) while performing research in both academia and national laboratories and collaborating with industries. I will present suggestions on how to (i) quickly adjust to different working cultures, (ii) navigate language barriers to effectively communicate, and (iii) foster knowledge when exchanging ideas while pondering the ascending interdependence of countries. Junior investigators in photonics are living in exciting times to advance innovation and can excel upon adjusting themselves to the current, global landscape in research.
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We present a new paradigm in imaging that unifies inverse-designed optics, unconventional sensors, and machine learning to directly capture high-dimensional scene information—spectrum, polarization, depth, coherence, temporal dynamics—at the point of acquisition. By co-designing nanostructured optical encoders with event-based and conventional sensors, our systems map rich physical features into compact, photon-efficient measurements, decoded in real time. Applications span astronomy, biomedical diagnostics, remote sensing, and industrial inspection. This approach moves beyond traditional “image-then-analyze” pipelines toward intelligent, task-specific imagers that maximize information capture while minimizing size, weight, power, and latency.
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Drawing on two decades of advancing diffractive optics, computational imaging, and nanofabrication, I share lessons from translating fundamental research into impactful technologies and startup ventures. This talk highlights the interplay between curiosity-driven discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and commercialization—showcasing how patents, spin-offs, and industry partnerships can amplify scientific impact. I will discuss strategies for building innovation-ready research teams, navigating technology transfer, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in students. Attendees will gain insights into balancing academic rigor with market realities, and how the next generation of engineers and scientists can leverage both to accelerate societal and technological progress.
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Silicon Carbide (SiC), a third-generation semiconductor, is ideal for nanophotonics due to its high refractive index, low optical loss, IC compatibility and thermal conductivity. This report presents our key innovations in SiC photonics, including a 4H-SiC metalens for high-power lasers, a high-NA achromatic metalens via inverse design, and an ultra-light SiC AR waveguide. These studies provide innovative solutions for designing ultra-compact optical devices and are poised to accelerate the development and practical application of high-performance SiC nanophotonic devices.
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Over the past 25 years, Professor Qiu Min has been deeply engaged in the dynamic field of Nanophotonics, devoting himself to accumulating and innovating micro-nano processing technologies. Through relentless exploration, he has forged a wealth of valuable experience in this cutting-edge domain. In this report, Professor Qiu will systematically share the remarkable research achievements he has attained through 25 years of dedicated work in Nanophotonics, while also expounding on his unique and profound insights regarding the future development direction of this rapidly evolving field, offering a glimpse into its promising prospects.
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We study structure property/relationships in advanced materials, using them as building blocks to fabricate photonic technologies. In particular, nanostructured materials synthesized via the bottom–up approach present an opportunity for future generation low cost manufacturing of devices. We focus in particular on recent developments in solar technologies that aim to address the energy challenge, including third generation photovoltaics, solar hydrogen production, luminescent solar concentrators and other optoelectronic devices.
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This lecture summarizes “Survival Skills for Scientists”, a graduate course designed to offer basic advice and mentorship. The central theme of this presentation is that succeeding in science requires skills (‘soft professional skills’) beyond those needed for science.
The lecture aims at giving basic guidance to young scientists, focusing on: