“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
— Edith Wharton
As I begin my term as President of the IEEE Photonics Society, I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead a community that truly embodies this spirit — generating new light through innovation and reflecting it through mentorship, collaboration, and shared knowledge.
When I first joined the Society as a student member in 2000, I could not have imagined that this decision would so profoundly shape my career and professional growth. Over the past twenty-five years, the Photonics Society has been my professional home — a place for learning, growth, and connection. Today, it is both a privilege and a responsibility to serve this vibrant community that has given me so much.
Our mission—to advance the science, technology, and application of photonics for the benefit of humanity—has never been more relevant. As photonics continues to transform communications, sensing, health care, manufacturing, and energy, our role as a professional community is to ensure that innovation is matched with inclusiveness, technical rigor, and ethical leadership.
Continuing Our Momentum
The IEEE Photonics Society stands on a strong foundation built by the tireless efforts of our volunteers, members, and staff. I extend my sincere appreciation to Professor Perry Shum for his leadership during 2024–2025, which further strengthened our Society’s resilience, visibility, and member engagement.
I look forward to building on this momentum and advancing the strategic priorities that will guide our future. Our Society is also in a robust and sustainable financial position, allowing us to reinforce existing initiatives and introduce new ones that enrich the member experience, strengthen our publications and conferences, and expand our international presence. With the support of our Vice Presidents, Board of Governors, and staff, I am confident we will continue to deliver lasting value to the worldwide photonics community.
Our Volunteers: The Heart of the Society
Our success is driven by the commitment of our volunteers, whose energy and expertise sustain every aspect of our work. The IEEE Photonics Society thrives thanks to the leadership of our Board of Governors (BoG) and Vice Presidents (VPs), representing academia, industry, and government around the globe. Twelve members also serve on the BoG, each elected for a three-year term, with four new members joining each year to bring fresh perspectives and ideas. I am pleased to welcome our newly elected BoG members — Cristian Antonelli, Paul Crump, Juerg Leuthold, and Haisheng Rong — along with our new Vice President of Membership, Peter J. Delfyett, and Treasurer, Jörg-Peter Elbers. Their experience and enthusiasm will further strengthen our impact and global reach, ensuring the continued vitality and growth of our international photonics community.
My Goals for the Coming Years
In collaboration with the Vice Presidents, the Board of Governors, and all committee and council members, my goals for the coming years focus on strengthening inclusion, engagement, recognition, and technical excellence across all Society activities.
Empowering the next generation of photonics professionals remains a top priority. Building on initiatives such as “Mentor Match” and “Reignite: Back to Career/Research”, we will expand programs that support career growth, networking, and leadership development, while encouraging the creation of new Student Chapters, especially in underrepresented regions.
Member and author recognition will also receive special attention. We will consolidate and strengthen our awards and honors programs to celebrate excellence in research, innovation, and service, while increasing the visibility of outstanding publications through IEEE tools and digital platforms. Recognizing achievements at all career stages reinforces a strong culture of excellence and engagement throughout our Society.
Another key objective is to leverage our strong connection with IEEE to maximize the resources and opportunities available to our members. By working closely with IEEE programs, councils, and initiatives, we can broaden access to professional development, training, and recognition platforms, ensuring that our members and authors benefit fully from IEEE’s global infrastructure.
We will also work to deepen collaboration between academia and industry. The synergy between research and practical application lies at the core of photonics, and we will develop new opportunities for joint initiatives, industrial fellowships, and mentorship programs that help transform pioneering ideas into real-world solutions.
Finally, our journals and conferences remain pillars of technical quality. I am committed to maintaining their high standards while embracing innovative and more accessible ways of sharing knowledge, thereby broadening participation and amplifying the impact of the scientific work our community produces.
A Shared Future
Looking ahead, I envision the IEEE Photonics Society as not only the leading authority in photonics research but also a model of inclusiveness, adaptability, and collaboration. The challenges of our era—climate change, digital transformation, and equitable access to technology—demand global cooperation and creative thinking. Our Society is uniquely positioned to serve as a catalyst for innovation and a driver of meaningful progress.
I am grateful to our members, volunteers, and staff, whose dedication makes our goals achievable. Together, we will continue to build a vibrant community that champions innovation, excellence, and integrity. I look forward to working with all of you and meeting many of you at conferences and events around the world as we continue to advance the IEEE Photonics Society and demonstrate the transformative power of light.
Warm regards,
Gabriella Bosco
President (2026–2027)
IEEE Photonics Society
