2025 Robert E. Hopkins Leadership Award Winner
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- Bio-Medical Optics
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- Optical Interaction Science
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Optica Names Winnie Ye the 2025 Robert E. Hopkins Leadership Award Recipient
Optica is pleased to announce that Winnie Ye, Carleton University, Canada, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Robert E. Hopkins Leadership Award. Ye is honored for significantly advancing the optics and photonics community through her leadership in organizing international conferences, promoting diversity, and mentoring the next generation of photonics professionals and leaders.
Ye is a renowned researcher, educator, and leader in the field of photonics, currently serving as a Full Professor in the Department of Electronics at Carleton University. Previously, Ye held the prestigious Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Nano-scale IC Design for Reliable Opto-Electronics and Sensors. Her expertise lies in silicon photonics, with diverse applications in telecommunications, data communication, biophotonics, and renewable energy.
Beyond her research and teaching, Ye has played a pivotal role in advancing the field of photonics, serving as Chair of Optica’s Photonics and Opto-Electronics Technical Division, Chair of IEEE Women in Engineering, and an elected member of the Board of Governors of the IEEE Photonics Society. Her leadership and contributions continue to shape the future of photonics and engineering worldwide.
Ye’s groundbreaking work has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the IEEE MGA Leadership Award, the Partners in Research National Technology and Engineering Ambassador Award, and the IEEE Women in Engineering Inspiring Member Award. Her commitment to mentoring and education has also been recognized with the Carleton University Graduate Mentoring Award and the Provost’s Fellowship in Teaching Award. She is a Fellow of Optica and the Engineering Institute of Canada.
Established in 1997 to help strengthen the link between the optics community and the public, the Hopkins Leadership Award recognizes an individual or group who has had a significant impact on the global optics and photonics community, or on society as a whole stemming from non-research oriented activities. The award was named in honor of Robert E. Hopkins in 2012, and is endowed by Milton Chang and New Focus.
About Optica
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica's renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement.
