Eric Schiesser received his BS in Physics and BS in Optical Engineering from the University of Rochester, USA and his PhD in Optics from The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester. He is currently an Optical Software Developer with the Optical Solutions Group at Synopsys Inc., USA.

Schiesser’s doctoral work focused on reflective non-symmetric optical designs and associated aberration theory, in which he explored design methods for freeform telescopes and a laser relay with tilted, spherical surfaces. He investigated the reduction of aberrations in these systems using Nodal Aberration Theory, with a particular interest in automating the developed design techniques. He continues to explore solving a broad range of optical design challenges in his role at Synopsys, where he focuses on algorithm research and development for imaging system design and analysis and occasionally collaborates with the Optical Engineering Services Team on design projects.

He is the recipient of the Kevin P. Thompson Optical Design Innovator Award.