Fort Pierce - Tuesday April 11, 2011: More than 100 academic, government and private industry specialists will gather at Indian River State College Wednesday, April 12, to discuss the latest developments in photonic and optic technologies and the worldwide impact those technologies have had on space exploration, defense, energy, advanced manufacturing, telecommunications, and healthcare.
The invitation-only symposium includes leading representatives from the International Optics and Photonics Society (OPTICA) and the American Center for Optics Manufacturing (AmeriCOM), along with senior representatives from two national laboratories. It takes place from 2 pm until 5 pm in the IRSC Kight Center for Emerging Technologies on the IRSC Massey campus in Fort Pierce.
The event is being presented in cooperation with LASER-TEC and the Florida Photonics Cluster.
The symposium speakers are:
- United States Congressman Brian Mast, 21st Congressional District & Co-chair of the Congressional Optics & Photonics Caucus
- Dr. Timothy Moore, President, Indian River State College
- Dr. Andrew Brown, Senior Director of Global Business Development, International Society for Optics and Photonics
- Jay Kumler, President, Jenoptik North America
- Dr. Zhi Liao, Workforce Manager, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, National Ignition Facility, California
- Dr. Alexey Glebov, General Manager & President, OptiGrate- IPG Photonics
- Dr. Ty Olmstead, Vice President for Engineering, Ocean Optics
- Albert Miranda, Chief Financial Officer, LightPath Technologies
- Natalia Chekhovskaya, Executive Director Advanced Manufacturing and Principal Investigator & Director of the National Center for Lasers and Fiber Optics education, LASER-TEC
"From the National Science Foundation's LASER-TEC center to businesses like Jenoptik, the Treasure Coast is leading the way in optics and photonics," said Congressman Brian Mast. "This is an industry that is shaping the future. I applaud Indian River State College, LASER-TEC and the Florida Photonics Cluster for hosting these critical conversations about the potential of optics and photonics and how to grow the skilled workforce to foster innovation."
A family-friendly Optics & Photonics Community Festival will immediately follow the symposium in the Kight Center Atrium from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The free, all-ages event will feature hands-on activities, lectures, and tours that illuminate the role of photonics and lasers in everyday life and the future:
- Go hands-on in the Maker's Corner and take home a light-inspired craft
- Learn how laser fusion can create sustainable energy for our planet
- Explore the evolution of telescopes
- Take guided tours of IRSC Photonics, High-Power Laser and Quantum Photonics labs
- Marvel at "A World of Light," a display of images from artists around the globe
- View project displays from students in IRSC's Laser Club
- Take a selfie with a giant lens
The IRSC Optics & Photonics Community Festival is made possible with the support of Indian River State College, LASER-TEC, Florida Photonics Cluster and Jenoptik Optical Systems.
For more information about the Symposium or the Festival, email Natalia Chekhovskaya at nchekhov@irsc.edu.