What is your current profession and what volunteer role do you serve within the IEEE Photonics Society?
I am currently a tenured researcher at the Materials Research Institute of the National University of México (UNAM). Along with my research, which focuses on fiber sensors and photonic devices, I also teach courses on various topics in the undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering and physics at UNAM. Mentoring students has been perhaps my most fulfilling experience because some of my former students are now part of the photonics community and thus my peers.
Within the IEEE Photonics Society, I currently serve as the Vice President of Membership, leading the Membership Council and its associated committees. I believe that membership is our gateway to an extraordinary global community. Through our efforts, we aim to foster professional development, create meaningful connections, and support students and early-career professionals as they grow in their careers worldwide. This role brings me great pride, as it allows me to contribute to a community that is not only advancing technology but also uplifting and empowering individuals at every stage of their professional journey.
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 finishing my undergraduate degree, I got interested in developing electronic sensors. As an undergraduate, I got a strong background on electronics from the school of engineering at UNAM, and I realized that sensing technologies had a wide range of applications. For my undergraduate thesis, I worked on a research project involving pressure and temperature sensors and became aware of fiber optic sensors.
Back then, projects and courses on photonics were scarce at UNAM, and fiber optic sensing technology was hence little known. At this point, I quickly realized that learning about this particular topic was an excellent opportunity to extend my knowledge on sensing technologies. The options to learn about this in Mexico were very limited, so I started exploring opportunities abroad. I was really lucky to connect with Prof. Ted Morse, who back then was running the Laboratory for Lightwave Technology at Brown University, and that was what got me started. Learning more about photonics made me realize that this was a fun field to be part of, that would keep me busy, entertained and continuously learning new things.
What are your main goals for the Membership Council in your leadership role, and how do you see the council influencing member engagement and growth within the photonics community?
I have been a member of the IEEE Photonics Society since I was a graduate student, so I have been aware of its goals and member benefits for a while. However, not until recently, I realized that in some regions of the world (such as Region 9 / Latin America), and members within remote sections of the photonics community are not fully aware of the Society, as well as the benefits of being a member.
One of my primary goals is to broaden the reach of the photonics community by increasing membership in developing regions/zones, such as Africa and Latin America, and by fostering greater participation from young professionals and members of IEEE’s Affinity Groups, including IEEE Women in Engineering and IEEE SIGHT. This will further help to increase networking, sustainability efforts, and mentoring opportunities for all the sectors of the photonics community. Through the different committees within the Membership Council, we expect to bring together different players from the photonics communities worldwide and enhance the coordination of the Society’s activities among the chapters. Another important goal is to provide long-term career paths to guide members while transitioning within the different membership levels and elevations.
How can volunteering in IEEE help members enhance skills they might not gain through traditional academic and/or research settings?
Volunteering is a nice way to give back to your community. Being the largest technical, professional association in the world, IEEE brings together people from different backgrounds and settings. Interacting with its volunteers is an excellent way to expand your general knowledge of photonics and of the different activities being pursued worldwide. It also helps to learn and understand about the needs that different regions of the world can have, and this is further useful to recognize the privileges that some of us may have. As a volunteer, IEEE thus provides you with a global perspective of your professional interests, expanding your interpersonal skills through interaction with members of a global community.
What are some of the most common challenges that prevent members from volunteering, and how can we overcome them?
One of the most common barriers that prevents members from volunteering is lack of time. Many members, particularly students and early-career professionals, are balancing demanding academic, professional, and personal commitments in order to graduate. To address this, the Society offers flexible, low-commitment options like micro-volunteering and virtual roles that can be done asynchronously. Another frequent challenge is that members simply aren’t aware of how to get involved. Even when they’re interested, they may not know where to start. There are many meaningful ways to get involved with the Society. From reviewing journals and organizing conferences to supporting local chapters and student initiatives around the world, volunteers play a central role in everything we do. In addition, our various councils and outreach programs are always looking for new participants to join their efforts. A great first step is to fill out our “Get Involved: Volunteer Intake Form,” which will help connect you with opportunities that match your interests and availability.
Impostor syndrome is often a significant barrier to volunteering, particularly for younger or international members who may doubt their qualifications or feel limited by access to resources. This lack of confidence can prevent talented individuals from stepping forward. To help address this, we offer mentorship opportunities and promote centered leadership roles that welcome a range of skills and experiences. It’s important to emphasize that leadership and volunteer opportunities are not reserved for a select few. In fact, the strength of the IEEE Photonics Society lies in the wide variety of perspectives our members bring. Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or a seasoned expert from academia, research, industry, or government, everyone has something valuable to contribute. Understanding that we each play a unique role within our community is essential to our growth and success as a Society.
What advice would you give to young researchers who aspire to make a significant impact in photonics and become future thought leaders in the field?
Being passionate about what you do is of course fundamental to excelling in your field of work. Disseminating your achievements and sharing knowledge is also important and this means getting involved with your community. Participating in technical and academic forums, as well as in outreach activities, are great ways to become a recognized professional among your peers.
I also believe that volunteering is an excellent means to increase your visibility and to learn more not only about your field of expertise, but also about the photonics community in general. This will increase your networking possibilities and will get you closely involved in activities that might take you to leading roles in your community. Hence, I strongly advise volunteering in professional societies such as IEEE.
How do you see the relationship between local chapters and the global IEEE Photonics Society community? What role do chapters play in fostering a sense of unity across different regions?
The relationship between local chapters and the global IEEE Photonics Society varies from region to region. In some cases, the interaction is swift but in some others is not as steady as we would like. This has to do with the level of organization of the Chapters in the different regions, and this is why we encourage sharing best practices among them.
While each region may face its own unique set of challenges, sharing experiences across chapters can help surface best practices that might be adopted or adapted to meet local needs more effectively. This kind of knowledge exchange is an important first step toward fostering a greater sense of collaboration across our global community. That said, I believe the most impactful way to build this sense of connection is by bringing chapter leaders together in a forum where they can engage directly, share their stories, and learn from one another in real time. These in-person or virtual exchanges create opportunities not just for problem-solving, but for building lasting relationships and solidarity. Chapters are the driving force behind our efforts, serving as the grassroots-bridge between members and the Society. We are actively working toward enabling such forums in the near future, with the goal of strengthening chapter engagement and empowering our global network.
How can Chapters help bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world applications, benefiting both academia and industry alike?
The IEEE Photonics Society provides an excellent link between industry and academia, and Chapters and/or regional groups provide unique opportunities to gain access to this link. Chapter members at different levels can facilitate synergies and meaningful interactions between both worlds.
A good example of this are the industry engagement activities promoted through the Professional and Technical Development Council and its respective Committee. These activities provide an excellent setting for interaction between local industries and professional chapters, thus making both parties aware of each other: students and young professionals learn about potential opportunities in industry, and conversely, the industry can identify a qualified workforce. Another example is the development of standards, an ongoing effort within the photonics community worldwide and where IEEE plays a highly relevant role. Setting standards for the myriad applications of photonics technologies requires joint effort from both academia and industry, and Chapters can serve as a link for this purpose as well.
Which strategic committees and leaders under the IEEE Photonics Membership Council report to you, and how do they contribute to the growth and development of the society?
The IEEE Photonics Membership Council oversees the direction of the chapters and creates programs that add value to the membership and photonics community. It also ensures that the interests of the members are addressed and leads the recruitment and retention strategies.
This is done through strategic committees overseen by chairs and leaders (AVPs) from different backgrounds and regions of the world. These include the committees of strategic partnerships (AVP Natalia Cañas-Estrada), chapter relations (AVP Rizan Homayoun-Nejad), student membership (AVP Collins Edet), “people and cultures” (AVP Patience Mthunzi-Kufa & Chair Carmiña Lodoño), women in photonics (AVP Qin Wang), and education (Chair Mike McKee). For example, conducting activities like needs assessments has proven invaluable in identifying specific areas of opportunity within different regions. These assessments allow us to better understand the unique contexts, challenges, and aspirations of our members around the world.
With these insights, we can design and implement more targeted, region-specific strategies that not only support local engagement but also contribute meaningfully to the overall growth and development of the Society. This approach ensures that our initiatives are both relevant and impactful, aligning with the needs of our global membership while advancing our shared mission. As we continue to expand these efforts, we aim to foster more responsive and sustainable pathways for professional and community development across all regions.
And for fun, could you share something interesting or unexpected about yourself? Maybe a hobby, a hidden talent, or an activity you love to do outside of work?
Although I have been in México practically all my life, I was actually born in Honduras. I still have family there and in other Central American countries, so I remain somewhat connected to that part of the world (IEEE Region 9 – Latin America).
In terms of hobbies, I like music, and I enjoy playing the guitar; I am also a big soccer and squash fan. I practice both, not as regularly as I would like to, but I really like decompressing with a good squash match! But what I’m proud to share—above everything else—is being a ‘girl dad’. It’s the most meaningful and rewarding role I’ve ever had.
