Get to Know Your Leadership: Christina Lim, VP of Membership

What is your current profession and what volunteer role do you serve within the IEEE Photonics Society?

I am a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where I also serve as the Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) and manage the Tucker Lab within the department. In addition to my academic roles, I currently serve as the Vice President of Conferences for the IEEE Photonics Society. In this capacity, I work closely with Society staff and the Conferences Council to oversee and shape the Society’s global conference portfolio and related events.

This includes leading the planning and execution of Society-sponsored and co-sponsored conferences, topical meetings, workshops, and intersociety conference collaborations. As Chair of the Conferences Council, I recommend key appointments such as the Program Chair for the IEEE Photonics Conference and help guide strategic decisions on venue selection and event development. Together with the Council, I focus on identifying challenges, recommending solutions, and ensuring the continued growth and impact of the Society’s meetings. For major co-sponsored conferences, I appoint Steering Committee members who help manage the events’ strategic and operational elements, maintaining strong inter-organizational partnerships and fostering high-quality conference experiences.

What drew you to the field of photonics? Was there a particular moment or inspiration—a point when you realized this was the path for you?

When I was in the 3^rd year of my bachelor’s degree at the University of Melbourne, I was intrigued by the newly setup photonics laboratory which was led by Rod Tucker. To be more precise, I was attracted by the many warnings and danger signage (not knowing what Photonics was at that time) and the mysterious optical tables behind the closed doors. With that I decided to explore what Photonics was and enrolled in all the possible photonics subjects. I was so interested that ended up pursuing a PhD with Dalma Novak at the same, Photonics Research Laboratory. The rest was history. Interestingly, I am still in the same lab which has been renamed to Tucker Lab where I am now the lab manager!

What are your primary goals for your tenure as VP of Conferences, and for the Society’s Conference Council?

My primary goals as VP of Conferences are focused on supporting and strengthening the global impact of the Society’s photonics conferences, with particular emphasis on expanding the reach and visibility of regional conferences. By increasing their geographical footprint and accessibility, we can foster greater inclusion and engagement across multidisciplinary communities within the photonics field. I am also committed to maintaining and elevating the quality of our conferences by carefully selecting high-caliber volunteers who can effectively lead and champion these events. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring that the content, structure, and delivery of our conferences uphold the highest standards of excellence.

Equally important to me is improving transparency across all levels of conference organization. Clear communication, documented procedures, and open collaboration among volunteers, staff, and leadership help build trust and efficiency within our operations. Transparency ensures that every stakeholder, from new volunteers to seasoned organizers, has a clear understanding of expectations, responsibilities, and decision-making processes. Through these efforts, I aim to cultivate a conference ecosystem that is collaborative, high-impact, and strategically aligned with the evolving needs of our global photonics community.

How do conferences support the organization’s mission and vision, particularly in engaging and developing members, and what’s one key takeaway you hope attendees gain from participating in IEEE Photonics Society conferences?

Over the last two decades I have seen conferences evolved from a purely technical-focused event to a more networking-oriented event with many activities to encourage engagement from all levels. These efforts have definitely revamped conferences, putting more emphasis on graduate students and young professionals enabling more ease of access to experts in the field through many networking events. I hope attendees come to see the Society’s conferences as a welcoming community, like an extended family, that they look forward to returning to year after year.

What advice would you offer to young researchers who are attending or presenting their work at a conference for the first time?

Attending your first conference can feel quite overwhelming! I still remember mine, my very first conference and presentation were both at OFC. I was so stressed out that I could not remember much of that conference. Looking back, I wish I had relaxed and fully enjoyed the experience. My advice to first-time attendees is to go to sessions that align with your interests, start conversations, build connections, take part in networking events, sign up for our regular mentor match, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy the conference!

What common mistakes do you see when researchers present their findings at conferences, and how can they avoid them?

One of the most common mistakes I often see relates to the design of presentation slides. Frequently, slides are overcrowded with too much information or too much text, which can overwhelm the audience and distract from the key message. Another issue is font size. Too often, presenters use text that’s too small to be seen clearly from the back of the room. It’s important to use a clean, simple layout with minimal text and to choose a large, readable font. Remember, your slides are there to support your talk, not replace it. Clear visuals, concise points, and an engaging delivery go a long way in making your presentation impactful and memorable.

Why is peer review such an essential part of scientific conferences, and how does it contribute to the quality and integrity of the research being presented?

For most of the photonics conferences that I have attended, the technical program committees will review all the papers within their categories. In other words, every paper will be thoroughly reviewed by all the members (not just 2 or 3 for a typical journal paper review) before they are discussed in the selection process. This review practice ensures that only high-quality research is accepted in a transparent manner, although with an increased workload on the technical program committees!

What advice would you give to young researchers about navigating the peer review process at conferences and using it as an opportunity for growth?

Given the competitive nature of top conferences and their low paper acceptance rates, it’s inevitable that some submissions will be rejected. However, rather than feeling discouraged, it’s important to view this as a valuable opportunity for growth. Reviewer feedback can serve as a constructive mechanism to refine your research and improve your work for future submissions. Rejections are often a part of the academic journey and can ultimately lead to stronger, more impactful papers.

To enhance your skills in writing successful conference papers, take the time to read well-regarded published papers within your field to understand their structure, clarity, and depth. Additionally, participate in workshops, seminars, or initiatives focused on academic writing and paper preparation, which often take place at OFC, CLEO and IPC. Many conferences and academic societies, including the IEEE Photonics Society, offer sessions or resources dedicated to improving publication success. These are excellent opportunities to learn best practices and increase your chances of acceptance in future submissions.

What role do technical co-sponsored local workshops and conferences play in fostering regional collaboration and knowledge exchange within our field?

IEEE Photonics Society strongly supports regional and local workshops/conferences, normally through technical co-sponsorship. I find that this is an effective way for the society to reach members from every corner of the world and help to facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing of the photonics activities within that region. Learn more about the Society’s sponsorship levels here.

What’s a fun or interesting fact about you that others might not know, such as a hobby, talent, and/or personal interest?

I have lots of hobbies to keep me distracted from work! I enjoy solving n-dimension rubik cubes, navigating through complex origami models, crocheting, playing board games, and Pokémon Go!