Fellow G. Michael Morris was the CEO and co-founder of RPC Photonics and is presently serving as the CEO of Apollo Optical Systems. Prior to RPC and AOS, he was a Professor of Optics at The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester. He is an OSA Past-President (2003) and Past President of the OSA Foundation (2009-2015). He received his BS degree from the University of Oklahoma, and his MS and PhD degrees from the California Institute of Technology. He is the recipient of many awards, including the David Richardson Medal, Joseph Fraunhofer Award/Robert M. Burley Prize, and the Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award.

Michael’s research has spanned a wide variety of topics in statistical optics, optical information processing, quantum-limited imaging, automatic pattern recognition, and diffractive- and micro-optics technology. His current research/development interests include optical beam-shaping components with a particular emphasis on 3D imaging and sensing systems for consumer electronics, robot vision, autonomous vehicles, and surveillance markets. He holds over 30 U.S. patents, and has published more than 70 referred journal articles, three book chapters, and numerous conference proceedings.