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Edwin H. Land Medal

Learn more about the medal and its establishment

Information and deadlines for nominations

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Edwin H. Land Medal

Recognizes pioneering work empowered by scientific research to create inventions, technologies, and products.

The recipient(s) should share Edwin Land's insatiable scientific intensity and curiosity in optics and imaging and, in part, reflect his image as inventor, scientist, entrepreneur, and teacher.

The medal was established in 1992 to honor Edwin H. Land for his unique career as scientist, technologist, industrialist, humanist and public servant. It is jointly presented by Optica and the Society for Imaging Science and Technology (IS&T), and is funded through the support of the Polaroid Foundation, the Polaroid Retirees Association and individual contributors, including Manfred Heiting, Theodore Voss and John J. McCann.

Winners

2024

Rama Chellappa

Rama Chellappa

For seminal contributions to the theory and practice of image/video processing and computer vision arenas resulting in inventions, technologies, and systems that have improved the lives of many worldwide

2023

Susana Marcos

Susana Marcos

For pioneering developments and translation of diagnostic and correction ophthalmic technologies impacting millions of patients worldwide

2022

Shin-Tson Wu

Shin-Tson Wu

For contributions to novel displays and diffractive optics that led to commercial products and widespread applications, especially for augmented reality, virtual reality, and imaging devices.

2021

Joseph A Izatt

Joseph A Izatt

For foundational contributions to the invention, development, and commercialization of optical coherence-based technologies for in vivo biomedical imaging, and for the education and mentoring of distinguished scientists and engineers.

2020

Eric R Fossum

Eric R Fossum

For the invention and commercialization of advanced CMOS optical sensor imaging technology and the Quanta Image Sensor, and for university entrepreneurial and national young inventor training activities

2019

Nabeel Agha Riza

Nabeel Agha Riza

For the invention and commercialization of pioneering macro- and micro-scale imaging techniques across RF and optical wavelengths, and the education and mentoring of distinguished scientists and engineers

2018

Ann E Elsner

Ann E Elsner

For contributions to the fields of ophthalmic instrumentation and vision science with innovative imaging technologies, state-of-the-art psychophysical research and entrepreneurial ventures

2017

Alan C Bovik

Alan C Bovik

For substantially shaping the direction and advancement of modern perceptual image quality theory, and for energetically engaging industry to transform his ideas into global practice

2016

Jan Philip P Allebach

Jan Philip P Allebach

For diverse contributions in development of widely used commercial halftoning algorithms for digital printing, digital image processing and color management, and also for leadership as an educator and researcher in the field of electronic imaging

2015

David Shaver

David Shaver

For contributions to the excimer laser ArF and modern deep UV photolithography for the semiconductor industry

2015

Mordechai Rothschild

Mordechai Rothschild

For contributions to the excimer laser ArF and modern deep UV photolithography for the semiconductor industry

2015

Joseph Mangano

Joseph Mangano

For contributions to the excimer laser ArF and modern deep UV photolithography for the semiconductor industry

2014

Mathias Fink

Mathias Fink

For seminal investigations of time reversal of ultra-sonic waves with applications to imaging and therapy

2013

Pablo Artal

Pablo Artal

For scientific contributions to the advancement of diagnostic and correction alternatives in visual optics

2012

YOICHI MIYAKE

YOICHI MIYAKE

In recognition of his work in image processing of medical images

2011

Mary Lou Jepsen

Mary Lou Jepsen

For her visionary entrepreneurial and technical leadership of the One Laptop Per Child program to develop a rugged, low-cost educational computer for developing countries

2010

Eliezer Peli

Eliezer Peli

For pioneering research, clinical, and entrepreneurial contributions to providing enhanced imagery for people with impaired vision through image processing, innovative optical designs, fiber optics, and applications of vision science

2009

Duncan T Moore

Duncan T Moore

For his invention of and leadership at a worldwide level of research and development in gradient-index optics along with his extensive entrepreneurial efforts on behalf of education in optics

2007

Charles R Munnerlyn

Charles R Munnerlyn

For his pioneering science, engineering and entrepreneurship in developing and promoting excimer laser surgery for the correction of vision, which has created a new industry and has given millions of people normal vision without glasses

2006

George H Heilmeier

George H Heilmeier *

For the discovery of new electro-optic effects in liquid crystals, and visionary anticipation of today’s liquid crystal displays

2005

Stephen A Benton

Stephen A Benton *

For seminal research and innovation in three-dimensional imaging, including the famed rainbow hologram

2004

Steven K Case

Steven K Case *

For pioneering work in laser-based inspection systems, and the highly successful application of these systems in the electronics industry

2003

John J McCann

John J McCann

In recognition of his long standing commitment to vision, research and to Retinex theory. He collaborated with Edwin H. Land in the initial Retinex formulation, and he has achieved efficient implementations, giving support to many scientists involved in Retinex-related technologies

2002

Benzion Landa

Benzion Landa

For pioneering work in the invention, development, and commercialization of liquid toner electrophotography, and in recognition of outstanding creativity that has a major public impact

2001

George Smith

George Smith *

For the invention and development of the charge-coupled device, a contribution that has had extraordinary impact on image creation and utilization

2001

Willard Boyle

Willard Boyle *

For the invention and development of the charge-coupled device, a contribution that has had extraordinary impact on image creation and utilization

2000

John E Warnock

John E Warnock *

For his significant contributions to the advancement of image processing via software and his personification of the spirit of Edwin H. Land

1999

Robert H Webb

Robert H Webb *

For his numerous inventions, which have accelerated the development of new diagnostic tools to help prevent the loss of sight

1998

Sol F Laufer

Sol F Laufer

For working in collaboration to apply their technical expertise, insight and managerial skills, to make an invaluable contribution to the technical optics community as evidenced by their leadership in the fabrication of precision plano optics and Zygo's extensive range of interferometer-based metrology instrumentation. They revolutionized the optics industry by enabling the routine inspection of precision optical components and systems with unprecedented ease, accuracy, and affordability.

1998

Paul F Forman

Paul F Forman *

For working in collaboration to apply their technical expertise, insight and managerial skills, to make an invaluable contribution to the technical optics community as evidenced by their leadership in the fabrication of precision plano optics and Zygo's extensive range of interferometer-based metrology instrumentation. They revolutionized the optics industry by enabling the routine inspection of precision optical components and systems with unprecedented ease, accuracy, and affordability

1998

Carl A Zanoni

Carl A Zanoni

For working in collaboration to apply their technical expertise, insight and managerial skills, to make an invaluable contribution to the technical optics community as evidenced by their leadership in the fabrication of precision plano optics and Zygo's extensive range of interferometer-based metrology instrumentation. They revolutionized the optics industry by enabling the routine inspection of precision optical components and systems with unprecedented ease, accuracy, and affordability

1997

Efi Arazi

Efi Arazi *

For his new and original computer controlled data processing procedures and equipment in the fields of image motion stabilization, textile design and manufacture, and prepress operations of the printing industry

1996

Donald Ray Scifres

Donald Ray Scifres

For his pioneering scientific and entrepreneurial contributions to the field of high power semiconductor lasers

1995

Ichiro Endo

Ichiro Endo

For their independent inventions of bubble-jet and thermal ink jet technology which created a new 3 billion dollar printer industry and enabled low-cost and color printers to be attached to every PC

1995

John Vaught

John Vaught

For their independent inventions of bubble-jet and thermal ink jet technology which created a new 3 billion dollar printer industry and enabled low-cost and color printers to be attached to every PC

1994

William E Humphrey

William E Humphrey

For outstanding work in the fields of ophthalmic and stabilized optics as an entrepreneur, and inventor, and an innovator

1993

Howard G Rogers

Howard G Rogers

For significant inventions and ensuing development of synthetic sheet polarizers, plastic optical elements, instant color films and birefringent polymers

* Deceased

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