Alexander Gaeta

Profile

Gaeta received his doctorate in Optics from the University of Rochester, USA. Gaeta joined Columbia University as the David M. Rickey Professor of Applied Physics and Materials Science in 2015. Prior to that, Gaeta was the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Engineering at Cornell University, USA, and was Chair of the School of Applied and Engineering Physics from 2011–2014. He has published more than 300 journal articles in quantum and nonlinear photonics. He served as the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Optica from 2014–2020, and has chaired the FiO and CLEO Conferences, and the Nonlinear Optics Topical meeting. He served on the Optica Board of Directors from 2008–2010 and is currently the Chair of the Strategic Planning Council. He co-founded Xscape Photonics, Inc., and was CEO from 2021 to 2023. He is a Fellow of Optica, American Physical Society (APS), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher. He received the 2019 Charles H. Townes Medal and the 2023 Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award. 

Election Statement

Optica has been an important part of my career since my time as a graduate student at the Institute of Optics in Rochester. It has been a privilege to volunteer alongside many dedicated colleagues—whether through organizing major conferences as Chair of FiO and CLEO, contributing to publishing as the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Optica and Chair of the Publications Council, or engaging in governance as a member of the Board of Directors. With nearly four decades devoted to research in quantum and nonlinear photonics, I have seen firsthand the transformative impact of our field and the remarkable expansion of optics and photonics into other fields and into the commercial sector. In academia, my roles at Columbia and Cornell Universities have enabled me to mentor the next generation of scientists and engineers, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and diversity in research. Co-founding start-up Xscape Photonics has further deepened my appreciation for the vital connection between scientific discovery and real-world technological applications.

Optica is a global leader in the promotion, dissemination, and archiving of knowledge in optics and photonics. It provides an important network for academic, industrial, and governmental communities and plays an essential role in nurturing young researchers and professionals. If elected, I will focus on the following priorities:

• Ensure excellence and broad participation in publications and meetings – While researchers from around the world participate in Optica journals and conferences, we must continue to attract the highest-impact research while maintaining a publication process that is fair, efficient, and rigorous. Recruiting outstanding editors, conference organizers, and staff and supporting them with the latest editorial technologies will be essential.
• Support early-career researchers – The future of our field depends on cultivating new talent. The Optica Foundation has been instrumental in this effort through its support of Student Chapters, Traveling Lecturers, and the Ambassador Program. I will continue to champion and expand these initiatives.
• Strengthen industrial and corporate engagement – As optics and photonics increasingly drive commercial sectors like AI, data communications, and renewable energy, Optica must expand its support for this growing workforce and company base. This includes providing training through journals, workshops, and short courses, as well as facilitating industrial networking and knowledge exchange at conferences through events like the Executive Forum at OFC.
• Elevate public outreach – From healthcare and telecommunications to manufacturing and security, optics and photonics shape modern life. To sustain public and institutional support, Optica must continue to raise awareness of the field’s essential contributions beyond the scientific community.