The Board of Directors of Optica (formerly OSA), Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, has elected Martin Fischer, research professor of Chemistry and Physics, to the Society’s 2024 Fellow Class.
He is being honored “For pioneering contributions to nonlinear optical microscopy and imaging in biomedicine, materials science and cultural heritage.”
Fischer, who directs the Advanced Light Imaging and Spectroscopy (ALIS) facility, researches novel laser microscopy methods that provide non-invasive, high-resolution, 3-dimensional, molecular images in complex environments such as biological tissue. Through a combination of ultrafast laser pulse shaping and pulse shape detection, his methods dramatically enhance measurement sensitivity and allow the visualization of previously inaccessible light-matter interactions that provide novel structural and molecular image contrasts.
The applications of Fischer’s methods are remarkably wide: from imaging biological tissue (mapping structure, endogenous tissue markers, or exogenous contrast agents) to characterization of nanomaterials (such as graphene and metal nanoparticles), to providing pigment-specific signatures for paints used in historic artwork.
“I feel honored and excited to be recognized as an Optica fellow,” he said, “since optics is my passion and central to my interdisciplinary projects connecting chemistry, physics and engineering.”
“Congratulations to the 2024 class of Optica Fellows,” said Michal Lipson, 2023 Optica President. “It is a pleasure to honor these members who are advancing our field and society. We are grateful for their exceptional work and dedication.”
Fellows are Optica members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics. The Fellow Members Committee, led by Chair Ofer Levi, University of Toronto, Canada, reviewed 216 nominations submitted by current Fellows. Candidates are recommended by the Fellow Members Committee and approved by the Awards Council and Board of Directors.
Optica is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others interested in the science of light.
Fischer and all other recently elected fellows will be honored at Optica conferences and events throughout 2024.
Department of Physics
