Dr. Mitch Cox is a Senior Lecturer at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. His research focuses on structured light and optical communications. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering with distinction and then earned an MSc in High Energy Physics after working briefly in industry. Dr. Cox then pivoted his focus to his current passion and completed his PhD, which aimed to increase the range of free-space optical links in turbulence through the use of structured light.

Dr. Cox co-founded the Wits OC Lab, where he employs his expertise in structured light and "nerdy engineer" skills to create innovative solutions for long-range free-space optical communication. He utilizes low cost, off-the-shelf components whenever possible – often in ways that were not intended by the manufacturers. With his broad and extensive interests, Dr. Cox has a vision of using his research to bridge the digital divide and make high-speed internet access available to people globally.