As I continue my term as President of the IEEE Photonics Society, I am grateful for the many opportunities to engage with our global community and help shape a shared vision for the future of photonics. Over the past months, key events—including the IEEE Technical Activities Board (TAB) meeting, our leadership meetings, and the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) 2026—have provided valuable forums to strengthen connections, align priorities, and explore new avenues for collaboration.
Earlier this year, I attended the IEEE TAB meeting in Austin, where I engaged with Society and Council presidents, IEEE leadership, and members of the Board of Directors. The decisions made in these forums directly impact our Society, making active participation essential to ensuring that the photonics community is well represented within IEEE’s broader strategic direction. These discussions also underscored the expanding role of photonics across emerging domains—from artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to advanced communications and sensing. Through this engagement, we continue to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and position our Society as a key contributor to IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for humanity.
Equally important were our internal leadership meetings, including the Board of Governors (BoG) meeting and Strategic Planning Committee discussions held during the weekend preceding OFC 2026. These sessions brought together our leadership team to review progress, refine priorities, and shape the Society’s strategic direction. Beyond governance, they provide a vital forum to exchange ideas and guide the initiatives that will define our future. The BoG meeting also enabled us to review ongoing programs, ensure responsible stewardship of our resources, and reaffirm our commitment to excellence in conferences, publications, and educational activities. Above all, these meetings highlight the dedication and collaborative spirit of our volunteers, who continue to drive the Society forward.
OFC 2026 in Los Angeles reflected the strong global momentum in optical communications and networking. With nearly 18,000 attendees from 91 countries and a sold-out exhibition featuring more than 700 exhibitors, OFC remains the premier gathering in our field. This year’s event clearly demonstrated the growing role of photonics in enabling AI infrastructure, cloud computing, and next-generation networks. Advances toward 224G and 448G lane speeds, increasing focus on 1.6T systems, and strong interest in energy-efficient optical technologies all point to a field rapidly transitioning from innovation to large-scale deployment.
Beyond the technical program, OFC also offered valuable opportunities for dialogue and partnership across the broader technology ecosystem. A notable example was the joint Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) and IEEE Photonics Society session, “Bridging Silicon and Light: Innovations at the Intersection of Semiconductors and Photonics.” Held in a well-attended Expo Theatre session, it brought together leaders from both communities to discuss where closer co-design and collaboration are most needed. The discussion emphasized the growing interdependence across devices, packaging, and manufacturing. Perspectives from industry leaders made it clear that future progress will depend not only on advances within individual domains, but also on how effectively these technologies are integrated into high-performance systems.
A special moment during the week was the Awards Luncheon, which celebrated outstanding achievements across the co-sponsoring societies. I had the pleasure of presenting commemorative plaques to two members elevated to IEEE Fellow in 2026, Giancarlo Gavioli and Qijie Wang, as well as to the 2025 IEEE Photonics Society Young Investigator Award recipient, Mikael Mazur, recognized for his contributions to fiber sensing using submarine fiber-optic networks and advanced digital signal processing. The 2025 John Tyndall Award was presented to Graham Trevor Reed for his pioneering work in silicon photonics and leadership in developing accessible foundry platforms.
Another meaningful initiative at OFC 2026 was the Nagel Lounge, an inclusive networking space named in honor of Suzanne R. Nagel, the first woman to chair OFC. The Lounge provided a welcoming environment for discussions on career development, diversity, and collaboration. I was pleased to contribute with a talk on “The Value of Volunteering: Creating Opportunities for Professional Growth,” highlighting how active engagement in professional communities can foster leadership development, expand networks, and create lasting impact. Initiatives like this play an important role in strengthening our community across all career stages.
All these experiences highlight a broader trend: innovation today is increasingly collaborative and driven by interconnected ecosystems. The challenges we face—such as scaling AI infrastructure and improving energy efficiency—require coordinated efforts across academia, industry, and professional societies. The IEEE Photonics Society is well positioned to serve as a bridge, fostering connections that accelerate both innovation and real-world impact.
I encourage each of you to stay actively involved—through conferences, local chapters, technical committees, and volunteer activities. Your contributions are essential to shaping the future of our Society and advancing the field of photonics worldwide.
Warm regards,
Gabriella Bosco
President (2026–2027)
IEEE Photonics Society
