VP honored by international optics center

UCF’s vice president for research & commercialization has been honored by one of the world’s foremost independent optical science research centers for his integral role in establishing and supporting the organization.

M.J. Soileau, who served as the first director of UCF’s Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) before being named vice president in 1998, is the first recipient of the Distinguished Service Appreciation Medal issued by the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), located in Barcelona, Spain.

Lluis Torner, director of ICFO, credited Soileau with supplying the help, advice and support needed to establish a center capable of conducting cutting edge research in optics and photonics at the highest international level.

“MJ’s generous advice over the years has had a tremendous impact on our success. As a new institute that from day one aimed at becoming world class, we have enormously benefited from MJ’s far-reaching vision and extended experience, specifically in matters related to technology transfer.”

The center, which opened in 2002, gives scientists and industries from around the world an opportunity to work together on research projects ranging from telecommunications and information technologies to biotechnology, sensing, quantum information, industrial photonics, nanophotonics and biophotonics.

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