Dan Curticapean: The 2025 SPIE María J. Yzuel Educator Award

Dan Curticapean is a professor of physics and head of the Media Technology Lab at Offenburg University in Germany. He teaches an extensive range of courses from basic introductory physics to advanced optical design, using the latest multimedia technologies. His current curricula topics include physics, electrical engineering, mathematics, light and photography, and research in optics and photonics. But his reach as an educator exceeds the boundaries of Offenburg. Highly active in the Education and Training in Optics and Photonics (ETOP) conferences since 2009, Dan has contributed there frequently as a speaker. He is also fascinated with astronomical events and, in 2018, he and his university team set their viewer record on July 27: their live transmission of the total lunar eclipse from the Feldberg, the highest mountain in the Black Forest, attracted nearly half a million viewers.

A Senior Member of SPIE, Curticapean always has his students in mind. In 2011, he co-chaired the SPIE Eco-Photonics: Sustainable Design, Manufacturing, and Engineering Workforce Education for a Green Future conference in Strasbourg. During a special session, “Engineering Workforce Education for a Green Future,” he reached out to young people in optics and photonics who wanted to make an important contribution to environmental protection. A committed educator, he has served on the SPIE Education Committee and on the SPIE Strategic Planning Committee. He has also served as a conference committee member and session chair at SPIE Photonics Europe. 

“I have particular personal knowledge of the key role that Dan played in the success of the International Year of Light in 2015 and the subsequent International Days of Light,” says Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Franche-Comté and the Institute FEMTO-ST, and International Day of Light Steering Committee Chair John Dudley. “As the International Year of Light was being planned, Dan was on the SPIE Education Committee, and he immediately saw the great opportunity of leveraging the year to attract a new public audience to science. He was instrumental in preparing for the presentation of the initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, developing an online global map of international photonics activities, as well as a remarkable and effective series of educational and promotional material. I am not exaggerating when I say that Dan’s contribution was absolutely vital in showing the international diplomatic community the enthusiasm and expertise of the photonics sector in outreach and education. In 2015, he also organized the first-ever live social-media projection at UNESCO Headquarters. Dan’s efforts in these events have significantly raised awareness about the importance of light and optics in education and have continued to inspire global participation in the annual International Day of Light. Through his various actions and resources, many millions worldwide have learned about optics and photonics: it’s a remarkable educational achievement for which he can take personal credit.”

Meet the other 2025 SPIE Society Award recipients.

Read more about Dan Curticapean and the SPIE María J. Yzuel Educator Award.