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Board of Directors

Our officers each possess outstanding records of scientific achievement in the field of optics. The time and effort given by our elected representatives provide a strong foundation for the Optica's future.

As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to safeguarding the trust placed it is by our members and the optics and photonics community as a whole. Our commitment to unsurpassed quality and best practices in governance, accountability, and transparency, exist at all level of our organization. These values are most apparent in the dedication and perseverance of our elected officers.


If you are interested in getting involved with Optica, review the various volunteer opportunities available and select what best fits your interest areas. Volunteering provides opportunities to make connections, learn about research in your field, develop new skills, and shape the future of the profession.   

Officers

James Kafka

President

Spectra-Physics/MKS, USA
Term: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

Gisele Bennett

President-Elect

MEPSS, LLC, USA
Term: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

Turan Erdogan

Vice-President

Plymouth Grating Laboratory, Inc., USA
Term: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

Gerd Leuchs

Immediate Past President

Max Planck Institute, Germany
Term: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

George Bayz

Treasurer

Oakshire Partners, USA
Term: 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2025

Elizabeth Nolan

Chief Executive Officer

Optica

Board of Directors

Jens Biegert

Chair, Meetings Council

ICFO- The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Spain
Term: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025

Martin J. Booth

Director at Large

University of Oxford, UK
Term: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026

Aleksandra Boskovic

Director at Large Appointed

Corning Optical Communications, USA
Term: 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025

Caroline Boudoux

Director at Large

École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada
Term: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026

Cornelia Denz

Chair, Publications Council

Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany
Term: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026

Julie Sheridan Eng

Director at Large

Coherent Corp, USA
Term: 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025

Ulrike Fuchs

Director at Large

asphericon GmbH, Germany
Term: 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025

Christine P. Hendon

Director at Large

Columbia University
Term: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027

Michael Lebby

Chair, Corporate Engagement Council

GenusTechnik
Term: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025

Gabrielle Thomas

Chair, MED Council

Menlo Systems GmbH
Term: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

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