WASHINGTON — The Board of Directors of Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, recently elected 121 members from 27 countries to the Society’s 2025 Fellow Class. Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and service to Optica and our community.

“Congratulations to the 2025 class of Optica Fellows,” said Jim Kafka, 2025 Optica President. “These members are making important contributions to our society and field. We thank them for their dedication and are incredibly proud to celebrate their accomplishments.”

Fellows are Optica members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics. The Fellow Members Committee, led by Chair Alice White, Boston University, reviewed 217 nominations submitted by current Fellows. The Committee thanks all the nominators and references for supporting this important program. As Fellows can account for no more than 10 percent of the total membership, the election process is highly competitive. Candidates are recommended by the Fellow Members Committee and approved by the Awards Council and Board of Directors.

The new Fellows will be honored at Optica conferences and events throughout 2025.

2025 Optica Fellows:

Howard (Ho Wai) Lee
University of California, Irvine, USA
For critical advances in the development of tunable optical metasurfaces/zero index photonics and advanced metasurface/plasmonic-optical fibers

About Optica

Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement. Discover more at: Optica.org

Click here to read the full press release on the Optica website.