Duncan T. Moore

1996 Society President Duncan Moore is the Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Emeritus Professor of Optical Engineering at the University of Rochester, USA. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Rochester in 1974.  Moore an expert in gradient-index optics, computer-aided design, and the manufacture of optical systems also served as associate director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Clinton Administration.

His extensive experience in the academic, research, business, and government arenas of science and technology has led to positions such as Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship at Rochester, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Infotonics Technology Center Inc., an industry, academia, and government partnership to foster cutting-edge research, prototyping of new technology, and economic development in Upstate New York State. He was a visiting Professor at Stanford University, where he has worked on its Center for Longevity to create an international, interdisciplinary research and teaching network focused on solving fundamental physical and social problems associated with extended life expectancy.

Moore chaired the successful Hubble Independent Optical Review Panel organized in 1990 to determine the correct prescription of the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition, Moore is the founder and former president of Gradient Lens Corporation of Rochester, New York, the manufacturer of the high-quality, low-cost Hawkeye boroscope.

Moore has received numerous awards for his achievements including election to the National Academy of Engineering, Optica's Robert E. Hopkins Leadership Award, the Optica and IS&T Edwin H. Land Medal, the National Engineering Award of the American Association of Engineering Societies, the Science and Technology Award of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Distinguished Inventor of the Year Award of the Rochester Intellectual Property Law Association, the Gradient-Index Award of the Japanese Applied Physics Society, SPIE’s Gold Medal, and twice was designated Engineer of the Year by the Rochester Engineering Society. He receieved an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Maine. He is a Fellow of Optica, American Association for the Advancement of Science,  American Institute of Biological Engineering, IEEE, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Inventors, and SPIE.

Moore has been a committed member of Optica for over 50 years. He has served in numerous roles from editorial positions (Applied Optics) to program chair of Optica technical meetings, membership in the Technical Council, Annual Meeting Chair and Optica at-large board member. He served as Society President in 1996 and was the principal motivator for Optica to become more involved in public policy issues. He continues to serve on Optica's Presidential Advisory Committee.

He was elected an Optica Honorary Member in 2025 for pioneering contributions to gradient-index optics, leadership in public policy, dedicated service to the optics community, and distinguished roles in academia, government, and professional societies.