Iam-Choon Khoo: The 2024 SPIE Maria Goeppert Mayer Award in Photonics
Iam-Choon Khoo, the William E. Leonhard Professor at Pennsylvania State University’s College of Engineering since 2006, is known for his impactful and significant work in liquid crystal science and technologies. His pioneering work on nonlinear effects in liquid crystals opened new avenues of research and led to the development of innovative optoelectronic systems and sensors. He is also highly regarded for his work in exploring liquid-crystal materials and their interface with other technologies such as metamaterials. Alongside his far-reaching research achievements, Khoo has also contributed to the optics and photonics collective, creating an international liquid-crystal-focused community and network. His support and leadership have inspired new generations of researchers to join the field, as well as providing a vibrant and supportive atmosphere in which young scientists can thrive. As just one example, the SPIE Liquid Crystals conference which he helped establish, will celebrate its 28th year at SPIE Optics + Photonics in 2024.
In addition to his longtime role as conference chair, Khoo has presented his work at various SPIE conferences over the years and has authored papers for SPIE’s Optical Engineering. He is the author of several seminal books for students and professionals working on liquid-crystal topics including Liquid Crystals (3rd edition), and, with co-author and SPIE Fellow Shin-Tson Wu, Optics and Nonlinear Optics of Liquid Crystals.
“I have largely ‘grown up’ in the SPIE community relating to photonic-materials research and in particular liquid crystals,” says University of Colorado’s Gallogly Professor of Engineering Timothy J. White. “The description of the SPIE Maria Goeppert Mayer Award in Photonics makes it clear that leadership, innovation, and evidence of tangible results are key criteria for evaluation. Per my own engagement and experience, I can say that Professor Khoo has singlehandedly shepherded this particular community at SPIE for more than 20 years. The symposium he organizes is vibrant and longstanding, and a hub of interconnection and networking for the collective community. The result of this leadership and service is evident in persons like me who, long-after the display boom of liquid crystals, have benefitted from Professor Khoo’s contributions both scientifically as well as from him being an accessible luminary: Professor Khoo has invited and encouraged me and others to engage with the SPIE and the broader community of photonics research on an extended and ongoing basis.”
Meet the other 2024 SPIE Society Award recipients.
Read more about Iam-Choon Khoo and the SPIE Maria Goeppert Mayer Award in Photonics.
