Yaseera Ismail

Profile

Yaseera Ismail is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University, and heads the QuPhotonics Lab. She graduated in 2011 with her Master of Science degree, Cum Laude, based at the CSIR-National Laser Centre, South Africa, and obtained her PhD in Physics in 2015 in the field of quantum communication from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She is an experimentalist, that specializes in developing quantum optical tools to advance free-space, long-range secure quantum communication. In 2016, she received the TechWomen Emerging Leader Award, in 2018 she was recognized as an Optica Ambassador and is an Optica-appointed Vice President on the International Commission for Optics. She is a fellow of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Future Professor Program and in 2024 she was inaugurated into the South African Young Academy of Sciences. 

Election Statement 

I have been associated with Optica since I was a graduate student, and have been privileged that I have been able to contribute to the society in several roles. As a 2018 Optica Ambassador, I co-founded Optica’s mentorship program, Mentor Match, which focuses on connecting emerging professionals and students in optics and photonics with experienced mentors from academia, industry, and research. I have been involved in numerous programs offered by Optica, specifically, I am the Chair of Optica’s Theodor W. Hänsch Prize in Quantum Optics and serve on the selection committee for the Optica Amplify Scholarship and Optica Women Scholars, promoting excellence in optics and photonics. Since 2021, I have served as Vice President of the International Commission for Optics (ICO) on behalf of Optica, contributing to strategic initiatives and fostering international collaboration. I am deeply honored to stand for election as Director-at-Large for Optica, an organization that has played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of my own professional journey. If elected, I will dedicate my efforts to two core pillars that I believe are essential to Optica’s continued impact and global leadership: empowerment and excellence.

Empowerment through Opportunity and Inclusion
At the heart of Optica is its people—students, early-career professionals, researchers, educators, engineers, and innovators from all corners of the globe. I believe strongly in the transformative power of mentorship, community, and opportunity. My goal is to focus on expanding mentorship networks by creating opportunities for global collaboration at topical meetings, which are essential for fostering meaningful connections and professional growth, particularly for early-career researchers and those from underrepresented communities. Particularly, I am committed to championing initiatives that increase the visibility and participation of women and minorities in Optica’s leadership, events, and awards.

Excellence in Science, Collaboration, and Global Impact
Excellence in optics and photonics is not just about pushing the frontiers of science—it’s about fostering a culture that values curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the pursuit of solutions that benefit humanity. As Director-at-Large, I will work to uphold and advance Optica’s long-standing commitment to scientific excellence while also expanding the society’s reach and relevance across disciplines, industries, and borders.

One of my key priorities is to further promote Optica's role as a global platform for collaboration. The future of our field lies in interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships between physicists and engineers, researchers and industry leaders, innovators and policymakers. I will advocate for programs that promote joint research initiatives, facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and industry, and provide members with opportunities to engage with early career professionals.

I will support efforts to recognize and celebrate scientific achievements at all levels, specifically early-career researchers, through invited talks at topical meetings and conferences, as we must continue to foster environments where emerging voices are not only heard but celebrated, driving fresh perspectives and bold ideas.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. Together, we can support and promote Optica’s activities to build a global optics and photonics community.