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Who Pays When Safety Rules Disappear?
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Consumer Services] -- The Consumer Federation of America posted the following news release:
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Who Pays When Safety Rules Disappear?
*
Corporate America often frames deregulation as a matter of "consumer choice" or cutting business costs. That argument leaves out a central point: regulations, especially safety rules, are intended to protect consumers from unreasonable risks. The key question, then, is who benefits when protections are removed, and who bears the costs? A recent tragic death at a Six Flags park in Georgia is a horrifying example of how deregulation ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Consumer Services] -- The Consumer Federation of America posted the following news release: * * * Who Pays When Safety Rules Disappear? * Corporate America often frames deregulation as a matter of "consumer choice" or cutting business costs. That argument leaves out a central point: regulations, especially safety rules, are intended to protect consumers from unreasonable risks. The key question, then, is who benefits when protections are removed, and who bears the costs? A recent tragic death at a Six Flags park in Georgia is a horrifying example of how deregulationcan put consumers at serious risk.
The history of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the "roller-coaster loophole" provide a powerful example of how limits on regulation hurt consumers, even leading to serious injury or death. It also shows how industry lobbying can shape the scope of a safety agency's authority. The debate continues today, as the current administration pursues broad deregulatory efforts, and the CPSC itself has adopted this deregulatory narrative too.
The CPSC is a federal agency created in the 1970s to reduce the unreasonable risks of injury and death from consumer products. It develops safety standards, investigates hazards, can ban products in certain cases, and works with companies to initiate product recalls. When it was created, Congress intended CPSC to have significant regulatory and enforcement powers.
Through the 1970s, CPSC asserted authority over amusement rides and investigated ride-related hazards, even issuing formal complaints. In response to CPSC's work to protect consumers from dangerous rides, the trade group representing amusement parks, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), opened a D.C. office in 1980. Unsurprisingly, IAAP opposed federal oversight and "claimed that industry self-regulation and state regulation were sufficient to assure rider safety." Corporate interests and their lobbyists prevailed. In 1981, Congress narrowed the CPSC's authority over amusement rides, excluding rides permanently fixed at a site while leaving many mobile rides within its jurisdiction.
This distinction is often referred to as the "roller-coaster loophole." It means we now have a system where "two identical amusement rides, both produced by the same manufacturer, may be regulated differently," when one ride is permanently affixed to its location and one is moveable. Fixed-site rides may be regulated by state and local authorities, but there is no consistent federal oversight.
The "roller-coaster loophole" was part of a broader effort to restrain and defang the CPSC. Congress also sharply cut the agency's budget. It amended the agency's powers and procedures, including restricting public disclosure of certain company- and product-specific information. Imagine that: a consumer safety agency that must first negotiate the information it discloses with the offending company!
The consequences of weakened oversight and deregulation can be serious, and in this example, even life-threatening. In the U.S., we don't have one reliable statistic for roller-coaster deaths, but we know that roller coaster deaths are not uncommon in the U.S. Approximately, 118 serious injuries occurred at amusement parks in North America, according to the National Safety Council's 2024 amusement ride safety report for the IAAPA.
Of course, the risks of deregulation are not limited to product safety. The savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and the 2008 financial crisis are examples of how regulatory gaps contribute to serious consumer harm.
Today's deregulatory efforts span areas including pollution rules and energy and appliance standards. The consequences for consumers could be enormous in the years to come. The current CPSC has jumped on the "deregulatory" bandwagon, and although its deregulatory actions have been relatively narrow, the agency has adopted the misleading language about cost cutting and consumer choice. I, for one, don't think that cost cutting should be treated as the agency's central purpose. The CPSC's core mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with consumer products. I prefer a strong agency that can set effective safety rules and enforce such rules when companies fail to protect consumers. I prefer a government that lets our agencies do their work without yielding to corporate pressure.
***
Original text here: https://consumerfed.org/news/blogs/who-pays-when-safety-rules-disappear/ (TNSmrp)
* * *
Who Pays When Safety Rules Disappear?
*
Corporate America often frames deregulation as a matter of "consumer choice" or cutting business costs. That argument leaves out a central point: regulations, especially safety rules, are intended to protect consumers from unreasonable risks. The key question, then, is who benefits when protections are removed, and who bears the costs? A recent tragic death at a Six Flags park in Georgia is a horrifying example of how deregulation ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Consumer Services] -- The Consumer Federation of America posted the following news release: * * * Who Pays When Safety Rules Disappear? * Corporate America often frames deregulation as a matter of "consumer choice" or cutting business costs. That argument leaves out a central point: regulations, especially safety rules, are intended to protect consumers from unreasonable risks. The key question, then, is who benefits when protections are removed, and who bears the costs? A recent tragic death at a Six Flags park in Georgia is a horrifying example of how deregulationcan put consumers at serious risk.
The history of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the "roller-coaster loophole" provide a powerful example of how limits on regulation hurt consumers, even leading to serious injury or death. It also shows how industry lobbying can shape the scope of a safety agency's authority. The debate continues today, as the current administration pursues broad deregulatory efforts, and the CPSC itself has adopted this deregulatory narrative too.
The CPSC is a federal agency created in the 1970s to reduce the unreasonable risks of injury and death from consumer products. It develops safety standards, investigates hazards, can ban products in certain cases, and works with companies to initiate product recalls. When it was created, Congress intended CPSC to have significant regulatory and enforcement powers.
Through the 1970s, CPSC asserted authority over amusement rides and investigated ride-related hazards, even issuing formal complaints. In response to CPSC's work to protect consumers from dangerous rides, the trade group representing amusement parks, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), opened a D.C. office in 1980. Unsurprisingly, IAAP opposed federal oversight and "claimed that industry self-regulation and state regulation were sufficient to assure rider safety." Corporate interests and their lobbyists prevailed. In 1981, Congress narrowed the CPSC's authority over amusement rides, excluding rides permanently fixed at a site while leaving many mobile rides within its jurisdiction.
This distinction is often referred to as the "roller-coaster loophole." It means we now have a system where "two identical amusement rides, both produced by the same manufacturer, may be regulated differently," when one ride is permanently affixed to its location and one is moveable. Fixed-site rides may be regulated by state and local authorities, but there is no consistent federal oversight.
The "roller-coaster loophole" was part of a broader effort to restrain and defang the CPSC. Congress also sharply cut the agency's budget. It amended the agency's powers and procedures, including restricting public disclosure of certain company- and product-specific information. Imagine that: a consumer safety agency that must first negotiate the information it discloses with the offending company!
The consequences of weakened oversight and deregulation can be serious, and in this example, even life-threatening. In the U.S., we don't have one reliable statistic for roller-coaster deaths, but we know that roller coaster deaths are not uncommon in the U.S. Approximately, 118 serious injuries occurred at amusement parks in North America, according to the National Safety Council's 2024 amusement ride safety report for the IAAPA.
Of course, the risks of deregulation are not limited to product safety. The savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and the 2008 financial crisis are examples of how regulatory gaps contribute to serious consumer harm.
Today's deregulatory efforts span areas including pollution rules and energy and appliance standards. The consequences for consumers could be enormous in the years to come. The current CPSC has jumped on the "deregulatory" bandwagon, and although its deregulatory actions have been relatively narrow, the agency has adopted the misleading language about cost cutting and consumer choice. I, for one, don't think that cost cutting should be treated as the agency's central purpose. The CPSC's core mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with consumer products. I prefer a strong agency that can set effective safety rules and enforce such rules when companies fail to protect consumers. I prefer a government that lets our agencies do their work without yielding to corporate pressure.
***
Original text here: https://consumerfed.org/news/blogs/who-pays-when-safety-rules-disappear/ (TNSmrp)
Stephen Ward Honored With Top ASTM International Annual Award
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, Oct. 23 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release:
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Stephen Ward Honored with Top ASTM International Annual Award
Ward was recognized for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
Oct 21, 2026
ASTM International presented its top annual award - the Award of Merit - to Stephen Ward for his contributions to its composite ... Show Full Article WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, Oct. 23 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release: * * * Stephen Ward Honored with Top ASTM International Annual Award Ward was recognized for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. Oct 21, 2026 ASTM International presented its top annual award - the Award of Merit - to Stephen Ward for his contributions to its compositematerials committee (D30).
The prestigious award, which includes the accompanying title of fellow, is ASTM's highest recognition for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM International committee activities. Ward was recognized for expanding and mentoring D30's membership, for his strong leadership within the committee, and for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
An ASTM International member since 1999, Ward has been previously recognized with three distinguished service awards (2007, 2016, 2021) and the Award of Appreciation (2025).
Ward has been working in the composites industry since 1981 and is currently a part-time senior technical consultant for composite materials and structures design, analysis, testing and certification for aircraft, eVTOLs, and spacecraft. He retired from Collins Aerospace in 2022 as a senior technical fellow, and previously worked for The Boeing Company as a composite materials technical specialist. He received his master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Washington (1987) and his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1981).
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Original text here: https://www.astm.org/news/press-releases/stephen-ward-award-of-merit
[Category: Materials Management]
* * *
Stephen Ward Honored with Top ASTM International Annual Award
Ward was recognized for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
Oct 21, 2026
ASTM International presented its top annual award - the Award of Merit - to Stephen Ward for his contributions to its composite ... Show Full Article WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, Oct. 23 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release: * * * Stephen Ward Honored with Top ASTM International Annual Award Ward was recognized for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. Oct 21, 2026 ASTM International presented its top annual award - the Award of Merit - to Stephen Ward for his contributions to its compositematerials committee (D30).
The prestigious award, which includes the accompanying title of fellow, is ASTM's highest recognition for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM International committee activities. Ward was recognized for expanding and mentoring D30's membership, for his strong leadership within the committee, and for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
An ASTM International member since 1999, Ward has been previously recognized with three distinguished service awards (2007, 2016, 2021) and the Award of Appreciation (2025).
Ward has been working in the composites industry since 1981 and is currently a part-time senior technical consultant for composite materials and structures design, analysis, testing and certification for aircraft, eVTOLs, and spacecraft. He retired from Collins Aerospace in 2022 as a senior technical fellow, and previously worked for The Boeing Company as a composite materials technical specialist. He received his master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Washington (1987) and his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1981).
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Original text here: https://www.astm.org/news/press-releases/stephen-ward-award-of-merit
[Category: Materials Management]
Optica announces 2027 Fellows class
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, posted the following news release:
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Optica announces 2027 Fellows class
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116 members from 23 countries have been elected as Fellows for their outstanding contributions and service to Optica and the community
The Board of Directors of Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, recently elected 116 members from 23 countries to the Society's 2027 Fellow Class. Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and service ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, posted the following news release: * * * Optica announces 2027 Fellows class * 116 members from 23 countries have been elected as Fellows for their outstanding contributions and service to Optica and the community The Board of Directors of Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, recently elected 116 members from 23 countries to the Society's 2027 Fellow Class. Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and serviceto Optica and our community.
Fellows are Optica members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics. The Fellow Members Committee, led by Anna Peacock, University of Southampton, UK, reviewed a record 287 nominations submitted by current Fellows. The Committee thanks all the nominators and references for supporting this important program. As Fellows can account for no more than 10 percent of the total membership, the election process is highly competitive. Candidates are recommended by the Fellow Members Committee and approved by the Awards Council and Board of Directors.
The new Fellows will be honored at Optica conferences and events throughout 2027.
2027 Optica Fellows:
Qammer H. Abbasi
University of Glasgow, UK
For contributions to photonic metasurfaces, terahertz sensing, and wave-based sensing systems for next-generation communications and healthcare
Philippe Absil
imec, Belgium
For outstanding contributions and leadership in research and development of silicon photonics technology
Amit Agrawal
University of Cambridge, UK
For contributions to nanophotonics and metasurface optics enabling compact spatiotemporal control of light and scalable quantum technologies
Youichi Akasaka
1Finity Americas Inc, USA
For pioneering contributions to the research and development of optical fiber communication systems, fiber devices, and high nonlinear phenomena
Ibraheem Al-Naib
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia
For pioneering contributions to microwave and terahertz metamaterials enabling ultrasensitive biosensing, biomedical diagnostics, and non-invasive bioinstrumentation
Patrizio Antici
INRS, Canada
For his pioneering contributions to the field of laser-driven particle acceleration and its applications
Shlomi Arnon
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
For seminal contributions to optical wireless communication, satellite laser communication, advancing atmospheric channel modeling, and high-capacity optical communication technologies
Imrana Ashraf
Quaid-I-Azam University, Pakistan
For her dedication to optics education at her university and events targeting students from economically developing countries, as well as for the organization of numerous educational and outreach events in rural areas of Pakistan
Kamran Avanaki
University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
For advances in photoacoustic, thermoacoustic, and OCT imaging making brain and skin diagnostics more quantitative, robust, and clinically translatable
Vadim Backman
Northwestern University, USA
For inventing optical and photonic technologies that extract nanoscale biological architecture, leading to breakthroughs in genomic and biomedical research
Clara Rivero Baleine
Lockheed Martin, USA
For achievements in optics and photonics, particularly serving as a bridge between industry and academia in the areas of metamaterials and gradient refractive index (GRIN)
Qiaoliang Bao
University of Shanghai Science and Technology, China
For pioneering discoveries in anisotropic phonon polaritons and twist photonics in 2D materials
Hilton Barbosa de Aguiar
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, France
For pioneering contributions to nonlinear imaging and Raman spectroscopy in complex media, and leadership in deep-tissue label-free microscopy
Guy Bartal
Technion, Israel
For pioneering the field of optical skyrmions and nonlinear near-field optical microscopy, advancing topological photonics from fundamentals to quantum nanophotonics
Mikhail Berezin
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA
For his pioneering and sustained contributions to biomedical optics, particularly in hyperspectral imaging, fluorescence lifetime sensing, and translational optical imaging
Karl K. Berggren
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
For groundbreaking advances and leadership in superconducting nanostrip single-photon detector technology
Martin Bernier
Universite Laval, Canada
For key contributions to the development and commercialization of monolithic mid-infrared fiber lasers
Alexis Bjorlin
General Catalyst, USA
For developing photonic solutions for data center connectivity
Darius Bunandar
Lightmatter, USA
For pioneering photonic circuits in quantum cryptography and AI hardware, and inventing adaptive block floating-point modulation for high analog precision.
Gretchen Campbell
University of Maryland, College Park, USA
For pioneering the field of "atomtronics," where light creates circuits with atoms as analogs to electrons in electronics
William Cassarly
Keysight Technologies Inc., USA
For a lifetime dedication to optical engineering with a substantial positive impact on the illumination optics industry
Nunzio Cennamo
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
For contributions to plasmonic and optical fiber sensing technologies, and for leadership in translating photonic sensing research into practical applications
Hongsheng Chen
Zhejiang University, China
For significant contributions to metamaterials and AI-enabled invisibility cloak, enabling advanced control of light propagation and scattering
Huanyang Chen
Xiamen University, China; Xiamen University Malaysia, Malaysia
For contributions to transformation optics and metamaterials, and for advancing the concept into acoustic waves and water wave engineering
Weibiao Chen
Shanghai Inst of Optics and Fine Mech, China
For pioneering contributions to spaceborne lidar systems, laser remote sensing, and satellite communication systems
Wen Chen
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
For outstanding and sustained contributions in information optics and its applications for imaging, communications, and security
Yidong Chong
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
For fundamental contributions to non-Hermitian photonics, topological photonics, and coherent perfect absorption, advancing the science of light-matter interactions
Thomas Clark
Michigan State University, USA
For pioneering contributions to photonic microwave-to-digital concepts, techniques, and systems for coherent-optical and wireless communications
Thomas Corbitt
Louisiana State University, USA
For his contribution to the development of quantum optics and optomechanics techniques for gravitational wave astrophysics
Eric Cormier
Laboratoire Photonique, Numerique et Nanosciences, University of Bordeaux, France
For significant achievements in ultrafast optical science from pure theory on laser-matter interaction to laser developments leading to technology transfer
Vincent COUDERC
XLIM, UMR 7252 CNRS, France
For advancing optics and photonics at the intersection of academia and industry, with key innovations in supercontinuum generation and nonlinear imaging
Pascal Del'Haye
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Germany
For pioneering microresonator-based frequency comb generation and seminal contributions to nonlinear microphotonics and optical symmetry breaking
Peter Dombi
Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
For outstanding contributions in ultrafast science and femtosecond technology research, and for research leadership
Chun-Hua Dong
University of Science and Technology of China, China
For pioneering contributions to cavity optomechanics and nonreciprocal microcavity photonics
Yongkang Dong
Harbin Institute of Technology, China
For outstanding contributions to the research and development of distributed optical fiber sensors and their applications in large-scale infrastructure monitoring
Zhaogang Dong
Singapore University of Technology & Design, Singapore
For contributions to multifunctional optical metasurfaces, advancing structural color engineering, integrated optoelectronics, and nonlinear nanophotonics
Nirit Dudovich
Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
For pioneering contributions to attosecond science and attosecond metrology
Matt Eichenfield
University of Arizona, College of Optical Sciences, USA
For foundational leadership and creativity in the design, fabrication, and application of nanoscale optomechanics, integrated photonics, and active phononic-photonic systems
Jonathan Fan
Stanford University, USA
For the development of deep learning methods to simulate and design photonic systems
Peng Fei
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
For pioneering light-field modulation-based 3D computational fluorescence microscopy for live-cell super-resolution, ultrafast imaging of biological dynamics, and high-throughput volumetric tissue mapping
Philip Feng
University of Florida, USA
For outstanding contributions to optical transduction of resonant nanomechanical systems, and pioneering work on 2D semiconductor and heterostructure optomechanics
Vivian Ferry
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, USA
For outstanding research on optical materials and light management for solar energy conversion
Dmitry A. Fishman
University of California Irvine, USA
For achievements in optics and photonics, in particular mid-infrared imaging with wide bandgap cameras
Sonja Franke-Arnold
University of Glasgow, UK
For her research on structured light, its topological and quantum properties, and interaction with atoms
Laurent Gallais
Fresnel Institut, France
For developing laser characterization tools to study fundamental mechanisms to improve material performance for next generation photonic and laser applications
Roberto Gaudino
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
For outstanding theoretical and experimental contributions to the evolution of high-speed passive optical networks
Jerome Genest
Centre d'Optique, Photonique et Laser, Departement de genie electrique et de genie informatique, Universite Laval, Canada
For foundational contributions to dual-comb and Fourier-transform spectroscopy and for pioneering integration with advanced digital signal with global scientific impact
Ambarish Ghosh
Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, India
For seminal work integrating functional optical nanomaterials with magnetically driven nanorobots and for pioneering wafer-scale plasmonic metamaterials
Noel Giebink
University of Michigan, USA
For fundamental contributions to the physics of organic light-emitting diodes and solar cells
Sanket Goel
University of Manitoba, Canada
For pioneering contributions to optofluidic and micro/nano-engineered sensing platforms enabling point-of-care diagnostics, wearable devices, and translational bio-photonic technologies
Miguel Gonzalez-Herraez
Consejo Superior Investigaciones Cientificas, Spain
For pioneering contributions to optical fiber sensing and optical signal processing in fibers
Alexander O Govorov
Ohio University, USA
For pioneering contributions to the theory and understanding of nano-optical effects in nanostructures
Mario Hentschel
University of Stuttgart, Germany
For his work on linear and nonlinear optics in complex nanophotonic systems and the introduction of advanced nanofabrication techniques for photonics
Zhihong Huang
Hewlett Packard Labs, USA
For pioneering world-record avalanche photodetector and microring modulator technologies that enable terabit-scale, energy-efficient silicon photonics for AI and hyperscale computing
Misha Ivanov
Max-Born Institut, Germany
For groundbreaking contributions to the foundations and applications of attoscience
Naibo Jiang
Spectral Energies LLC, USA
For innovation in extreme high-energy burst-mode lasers and for the development of high-repetition-rate flow and combustion sensing techniques
Masahiko Jinno
Keio University, Japan
For pioneering contributions to architectures and key enabling technologies for elastic optical networks and spatial channel networks
Yushi Kaneda
University of Arizona, College of Optical Sciences, USA
For significant contributions in solid-state laser engineering of various types (rod, slab, fiber, and disk) and their nonlinear wavelength conversion
Ori Katz
The Institute of Applied Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
For seminal research and technical contributions to wavefront shaping, imaging, and sensing in complex media
Kedar Khare
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
For outstanding contributions to computational imaging and dedicated leadership in optics education
Masato Koike
National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Japan
For designing advanced soft X-ray gratings and their applications to synchrotron radiation beamlines and spectrographs for electron microscopes
Alexandre Kudlinski
Univ Lille Laboratoire PhLAM, France
For significant contribution to nonlinear guided-wave photonics and nonlinear micro-endoscopy
Alexandra Landsman
Ohio State University, USA
For seminal theoretical contributions to strong-field ionization, tunneling-time physics, and attosecond delays, bridging experiment and theory for atoms, molecules, and solids
Hong-Seok Lee
Pukyong National University, Republic of Korea
For technical innovation in holographic and AR/MR displays, and for bridging fundamental optics with practical commercialization
Tongcang Li
Purdue University, USA
For pioneering contributions to nanoscale optical quantum sensing using spin defects in two-dimensional materials and levitated optomechanics
Jinyang Liang
Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Canada
For contributions to ultrafast and coded optical imaging
Odile Liboiron-Ladouceur
McGill University, Canada
For pioneering contributions to integrated photonics, advancing mode-space devices, AI-enabled design, scalable optical interconnects, computing, and fabrication-robust photonic systems
Callum Littlejohns
CORNERSTONE, University of Southampton, UK
For outstanding leadership in the sustained delivery of an open-source integrated photonics prototyping foundry
Cuicui Lu
Beijing Institute of Technology, China
For pioneering contributions to topological nanophotonic rainbows and their applications in nanophotonic devices and optical chips
Jie Luo
Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC), China
For pioneering innovations in optical fibre technologies, industrial leadership, and global standardisation advancing high-capacity optical communication systems
Antigone Marino
Italian National Research Council, Italy
For outstanding contributions to the global optics and photonics community through leadership in international student engagement initiatives and inclusive scientific collaboration
Mikael Mazur
Nokia Bell Labs, USA
For pioneering distributed fiber optic sensing over transoceanic distances
Cleber R. Mendonca
University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
For pioneering contributions to nonlinear optics and ultrafast laser microfabrication, and for distinguished leadership in building internationally impactful photonics research and education
Giovanni Milione
Sintela, USA
For seminal contributions to optical communications and sensing, specifically in space division multiplexing and distributed optical fiber sensing
Andrey Miroshnichenko
University of New South Wales Canberra, Australia
For pioneering contributions to resonant light scattering--Fano resonances, magnetic light, and nonradiating anapole states--enabling all-dielectric meta-optics and advanced photonic devices
Francesco Monticone
Cornell University, USA
For contributions to meta-optics and nanophotonics, including fundamental work on metasurfaces, anomalous scattering, nonlocal and time-varying photonics, and theoretical limits
Galan Moody
University of California Santa Barbara, USA
For seminal contributions to integrated quantum photonics and the translation of quantum photonic technologies from fundamental science to commercialization
Neil Na
Artilux, USA
For pioneering research, development, and commercialization of germanium-silicon single-photon detection technology
Antonio Napoli
Nokia Corporation, Germany
For pioneering contributions to DSP-enabled coherent optical systems, particularly point-to-multipoint architectures based on digital subcarriers multiplexing
Valentina Parigi
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, France
For internationally recognized contributions to multimode quantum optics, photonic quantum technologies, and leadership in experimental quantum information research and education
Wounjhang Park
University of Colorado Boulder, USA
For pioneering contributions to advancing the understanding of light-matter interactions in nanostructures, integrated photonic devices, and their applications in sensing
Richard Pitwon
Seagate / Resolute Photonics, Ireland
For critical advances in system-level optical, photonic, and quantum interconnect technologies for hyperscale environments, and advancing regional engagement through conference leadership
Jurgen Popp
Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Germany
For pioneering work in translational clinical Raman spectroscopy, together with his leadership in establishing Raman as one of the most important analytical approaches, which has transformed the field and inspired worldwide scientific innovation
Gregory Rieker
University of Colorado Boulder, USA
For pioneering applications of frequency comb laser diagnostics in practical environments
Fabian Rotermund
KAIST, Republic of Korea
For significant contributions to ultrafast lasers, nonlinear optics, and terahertz photonics with 2D carbon materials
Zhichao Ruan
Zhejiang University, China
For pioneering work in manipulating light fields for advanced optical computing, particularly in plasmonic/metamaterial analog computing and photonic Ising architectures
Jae-Hyun (Jae) Ryou
University of Houston, USA
For pioneering advances in flexible III-nitride electronic and photonic devices, enabling high-performance sensors and systems operable in extreme environments
Danuta Sampson
Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Australia
For exceptional contributions to biomedical optics and vision research by promoting open science and advancing method standardisation, and for optics education
Giacomo Scalari
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
For contributions to terahertz optical frequency combs and metamaterials
Kaushik Sengupta
Princeton University, USA
For pioneering contributions to silicon terahertz systems, including THz beamforming arrays, programmable metasurfaces, sensing and imaging, and AI-driven design of next-generation sub-THz/THz technologies
Lingyan Shi
University of California San Diego, USA
For pioneering stimulated Raman and multimodal optical imaging innovations that transformed metabolic imaging and advanced biophotonics research in aging
Wei-Chuan Shih
University of Houston, USA
For contributions in Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and plasmonic sensing for disease detection, and innovation in inkjet-printed polymer lens smartphone microscopy
Georgios Siviloglou
University of Crete, Greece
For the discovery and development of accelerating Airy wave packets and their broad impact in classical and quantum optics
Marin Soljacic
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
For pioneering contributions to nanophotonics, topological photonics, and nonlinear optics, and for translating fundamental discoveries into impactful photonic technologies
Balaji Srinivasan
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
For pioneering translational research activities in high power fiber lasers and distributed fiber sensors, as well as high impact educational research
Haiding Sun
University of Science and Technology of China, China
For outstanding achievements to research in efficient ultraviolet optoelectronic devices and their applications to optical communications, imaging, and integrated photonics
Anna Sytchkova
ENEA, Italy
For her outstanding contributions to the fields of optical interference coatings, thin-film characterization, and optical materials research, and for her exceptional service to the Optica community
Yuankai K. Tao
Vanderbilt University, USA
For achievements in novel optical imaging systems for clinical diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring in ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and oncology
James K. Thompson
JILA, NIST & University of Colorado at Boulder, USA
For leading the development of continuous superradiant lasers for ultranarrow spectral width and spin-squeezed state of atoms for precision metrology
Chao Tian
Univ. of Science and Technology of China, China
For significant contributions to photoacoustic tomography spanning physical theory, physics-informed deep learning, system engineering, and clinical translation
Andreas Tittl
Hamburg University of Technology, Germany
For control of light-matter interactions at their fundamental limits, especially for pioneering the realization of bound states in the continuum
Jason Gage Valentine
Vanderbilt University, USA
For pioneering contributions to low-loss dielectric metasurfaces and meta-optics for image processing, and for sustained education in nanophotonics
Ashok Veeraraghavan
Rice University, USA
For outstanding and sustained contributions to the research and development of computational imaging systems for a variety of applications
Miriam Serena Vitiello
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto Nanoscienze, Italy
For groundbreaking studies of light-matter interactions at terahertz frequencies and invention of active THz nanodevices, micro-lasers, and nanoscopy systems advancing terahertz technology
Jianwei Wang
Peking University, China
For pioneering integrated-photonic quantum science and technologies, from chip-scale quantum communication networks and universal quantum computing to topological quantum photonics
Zhe Wang
Tsinghua University, China
For pioneering contributions to quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and leadership in advancing optical diagnostics for energy applications
Benjamin Williams
University of California Los Angeles, USA
For pioneering contributions to the development of terahertz quantum cascade lasers
Ling-An Wu
Inst of Physics, Chinese Acad of Sciences, China
For outstanding contributions to quantum optics, including establishing the foundation for the field in China and supporting women scientists worldwide
Lei Xi
Southern Univ of Science & Technology, China
For his contribution to high-performance photoacoustic imaging and multi-modality optical imaging
Fei Xu
Nanjing University, China
For pioneering contributions to function-integrated fiber devices
Chen Yang
Boston University, USA
For outstanding contributions to nanophotonics and photoacoustic neuromodulation as a new paradigm for non-genetic, high-precision optical control of neural activity
Haishan Zeng
University of British Columbia, Canada
For pioneering contributions to clinically translated endoscopic imaging, rapid Raman spectroscopy, in vivo multiphoton microscopy, and multiphoton photothermolysis therapy
Guoxing Zheng
Wuhan University, China
For his innovations in photonic metasurfaces, with significant contributions to holography, computational imaging, and optical encryption
Renjie Zhou
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For innovating label-free optical imaging techniques, especially quantitative phase imaging, and demonstrating their research and industrial impacts
Tao Zhu
Chongqing University, China
For pioneering contributions to distributed weak-feedback narrow-linewidth fiber lasers and their uses in practical high-performance optical fiber sensing systems
Zuqing Zhu
University of Science and Technology of China, China
For outstanding contributions to the research and development of elastic optical networking and optical data-center networks
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. Discover more at: Optica.org
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Original text here: https://www.optica.org/about/newsroom/news_releases/2026/optica_announces_2027_fellows_class/
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Optica announces 2027 Fellows class
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116 members from 23 countries have been elected as Fellows for their outstanding contributions and service to Optica and the community
The Board of Directors of Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, recently elected 116 members from 23 countries to the Society's 2027 Fellow Class. Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and service ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, posted the following news release: * * * Optica announces 2027 Fellows class * 116 members from 23 countries have been elected as Fellows for their outstanding contributions and service to Optica and the community The Board of Directors of Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, recently elected 116 members from 23 countries to the Society's 2027 Fellow Class. Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and serviceto Optica and our community.
Fellows are Optica members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics. The Fellow Members Committee, led by Anna Peacock, University of Southampton, UK, reviewed a record 287 nominations submitted by current Fellows. The Committee thanks all the nominators and references for supporting this important program. As Fellows can account for no more than 10 percent of the total membership, the election process is highly competitive. Candidates are recommended by the Fellow Members Committee and approved by the Awards Council and Board of Directors.
The new Fellows will be honored at Optica conferences and events throughout 2027.
2027 Optica Fellows:
Qammer H. Abbasi
University of Glasgow, UK
For contributions to photonic metasurfaces, terahertz sensing, and wave-based sensing systems for next-generation communications and healthcare
Philippe Absil
imec, Belgium
For outstanding contributions and leadership in research and development of silicon photonics technology
Amit Agrawal
University of Cambridge, UK
For contributions to nanophotonics and metasurface optics enabling compact spatiotemporal control of light and scalable quantum technologies
Youichi Akasaka
1Finity Americas Inc, USA
For pioneering contributions to the research and development of optical fiber communication systems, fiber devices, and high nonlinear phenomena
Ibraheem Al-Naib
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia
For pioneering contributions to microwave and terahertz metamaterials enabling ultrasensitive biosensing, biomedical diagnostics, and non-invasive bioinstrumentation
Patrizio Antici
INRS, Canada
For his pioneering contributions to the field of laser-driven particle acceleration and its applications
Shlomi Arnon
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
For seminal contributions to optical wireless communication, satellite laser communication, advancing atmospheric channel modeling, and high-capacity optical communication technologies
Imrana Ashraf
Quaid-I-Azam University, Pakistan
For her dedication to optics education at her university and events targeting students from economically developing countries, as well as for the organization of numerous educational and outreach events in rural areas of Pakistan
Kamran Avanaki
University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
For advances in photoacoustic, thermoacoustic, and OCT imaging making brain and skin diagnostics more quantitative, robust, and clinically translatable
Vadim Backman
Northwestern University, USA
For inventing optical and photonic technologies that extract nanoscale biological architecture, leading to breakthroughs in genomic and biomedical research
Clara Rivero Baleine
Lockheed Martin, USA
For achievements in optics and photonics, particularly serving as a bridge between industry and academia in the areas of metamaterials and gradient refractive index (GRIN)
Qiaoliang Bao
University of Shanghai Science and Technology, China
For pioneering discoveries in anisotropic phonon polaritons and twist photonics in 2D materials
Hilton Barbosa de Aguiar
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, France
For pioneering contributions to nonlinear imaging and Raman spectroscopy in complex media, and leadership in deep-tissue label-free microscopy
Guy Bartal
Technion, Israel
For pioneering the field of optical skyrmions and nonlinear near-field optical microscopy, advancing topological photonics from fundamentals to quantum nanophotonics
Mikhail Berezin
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA
For his pioneering and sustained contributions to biomedical optics, particularly in hyperspectral imaging, fluorescence lifetime sensing, and translational optical imaging
Karl K. Berggren
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
For groundbreaking advances and leadership in superconducting nanostrip single-photon detector technology
Martin Bernier
Universite Laval, Canada
For key contributions to the development and commercialization of monolithic mid-infrared fiber lasers
Alexis Bjorlin
General Catalyst, USA
For developing photonic solutions for data center connectivity
Darius Bunandar
Lightmatter, USA
For pioneering photonic circuits in quantum cryptography and AI hardware, and inventing adaptive block floating-point modulation for high analog precision.
Gretchen Campbell
University of Maryland, College Park, USA
For pioneering the field of "atomtronics," where light creates circuits with atoms as analogs to electrons in electronics
William Cassarly
Keysight Technologies Inc., USA
For a lifetime dedication to optical engineering with a substantial positive impact on the illumination optics industry
Nunzio Cennamo
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
For contributions to plasmonic and optical fiber sensing technologies, and for leadership in translating photonic sensing research into practical applications
Hongsheng Chen
Zhejiang University, China
For significant contributions to metamaterials and AI-enabled invisibility cloak, enabling advanced control of light propagation and scattering
Huanyang Chen
Xiamen University, China; Xiamen University Malaysia, Malaysia
For contributions to transformation optics and metamaterials, and for advancing the concept into acoustic waves and water wave engineering
Weibiao Chen
Shanghai Inst of Optics and Fine Mech, China
For pioneering contributions to spaceborne lidar systems, laser remote sensing, and satellite communication systems
Wen Chen
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
For outstanding and sustained contributions in information optics and its applications for imaging, communications, and security
Yidong Chong
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
For fundamental contributions to non-Hermitian photonics, topological photonics, and coherent perfect absorption, advancing the science of light-matter interactions
Thomas Clark
Michigan State University, USA
For pioneering contributions to photonic microwave-to-digital concepts, techniques, and systems for coherent-optical and wireless communications
Thomas Corbitt
Louisiana State University, USA
For his contribution to the development of quantum optics and optomechanics techniques for gravitational wave astrophysics
Eric Cormier
Laboratoire Photonique, Numerique et Nanosciences, University of Bordeaux, France
For significant achievements in ultrafast optical science from pure theory on laser-matter interaction to laser developments leading to technology transfer
Vincent COUDERC
XLIM, UMR 7252 CNRS, France
For advancing optics and photonics at the intersection of academia and industry, with key innovations in supercontinuum generation and nonlinear imaging
Pascal Del'Haye
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Germany
For pioneering microresonator-based frequency comb generation and seminal contributions to nonlinear microphotonics and optical symmetry breaking
Peter Dombi
Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
For outstanding contributions in ultrafast science and femtosecond technology research, and for research leadership
Chun-Hua Dong
University of Science and Technology of China, China
For pioneering contributions to cavity optomechanics and nonreciprocal microcavity photonics
Yongkang Dong
Harbin Institute of Technology, China
For outstanding contributions to the research and development of distributed optical fiber sensors and their applications in large-scale infrastructure monitoring
Zhaogang Dong
Singapore University of Technology & Design, Singapore
For contributions to multifunctional optical metasurfaces, advancing structural color engineering, integrated optoelectronics, and nonlinear nanophotonics
Nirit Dudovich
Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
For pioneering contributions to attosecond science and attosecond metrology
Matt Eichenfield
University of Arizona, College of Optical Sciences, USA
For foundational leadership and creativity in the design, fabrication, and application of nanoscale optomechanics, integrated photonics, and active phononic-photonic systems
Jonathan Fan
Stanford University, USA
For the development of deep learning methods to simulate and design photonic systems
Peng Fei
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
For pioneering light-field modulation-based 3D computational fluorescence microscopy for live-cell super-resolution, ultrafast imaging of biological dynamics, and high-throughput volumetric tissue mapping
Philip Feng
University of Florida, USA
For outstanding contributions to optical transduction of resonant nanomechanical systems, and pioneering work on 2D semiconductor and heterostructure optomechanics
Vivian Ferry
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, USA
For outstanding research on optical materials and light management for solar energy conversion
Dmitry A. Fishman
University of California Irvine, USA
For achievements in optics and photonics, in particular mid-infrared imaging with wide bandgap cameras
Sonja Franke-Arnold
University of Glasgow, UK
For her research on structured light, its topological and quantum properties, and interaction with atoms
Laurent Gallais
Fresnel Institut, France
For developing laser characterization tools to study fundamental mechanisms to improve material performance for next generation photonic and laser applications
Roberto Gaudino
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
For outstanding theoretical and experimental contributions to the evolution of high-speed passive optical networks
Jerome Genest
Centre d'Optique, Photonique et Laser, Departement de genie electrique et de genie informatique, Universite Laval, Canada
For foundational contributions to dual-comb and Fourier-transform spectroscopy and for pioneering integration with advanced digital signal with global scientific impact
Ambarish Ghosh
Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, India
For seminal work integrating functional optical nanomaterials with magnetically driven nanorobots and for pioneering wafer-scale plasmonic metamaterials
Noel Giebink
University of Michigan, USA
For fundamental contributions to the physics of organic light-emitting diodes and solar cells
Sanket Goel
University of Manitoba, Canada
For pioneering contributions to optofluidic and micro/nano-engineered sensing platforms enabling point-of-care diagnostics, wearable devices, and translational bio-photonic technologies
Miguel Gonzalez-Herraez
Consejo Superior Investigaciones Cientificas, Spain
For pioneering contributions to optical fiber sensing and optical signal processing in fibers
Alexander O Govorov
Ohio University, USA
For pioneering contributions to the theory and understanding of nano-optical effects in nanostructures
Mario Hentschel
University of Stuttgart, Germany
For his work on linear and nonlinear optics in complex nanophotonic systems and the introduction of advanced nanofabrication techniques for photonics
Zhihong Huang
Hewlett Packard Labs, USA
For pioneering world-record avalanche photodetector and microring modulator technologies that enable terabit-scale, energy-efficient silicon photonics for AI and hyperscale computing
Misha Ivanov
Max-Born Institut, Germany
For groundbreaking contributions to the foundations and applications of attoscience
Naibo Jiang
Spectral Energies LLC, USA
For innovation in extreme high-energy burst-mode lasers and for the development of high-repetition-rate flow and combustion sensing techniques
Masahiko Jinno
Keio University, Japan
For pioneering contributions to architectures and key enabling technologies for elastic optical networks and spatial channel networks
Yushi Kaneda
University of Arizona, College of Optical Sciences, USA
For significant contributions in solid-state laser engineering of various types (rod, slab, fiber, and disk) and their nonlinear wavelength conversion
Ori Katz
The Institute of Applied Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
For seminal research and technical contributions to wavefront shaping, imaging, and sensing in complex media
Kedar Khare
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
For outstanding contributions to computational imaging and dedicated leadership in optics education
Masato Koike
National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Japan
For designing advanced soft X-ray gratings and their applications to synchrotron radiation beamlines and spectrographs for electron microscopes
Alexandre Kudlinski
Univ Lille Laboratoire PhLAM, France
For significant contribution to nonlinear guided-wave photonics and nonlinear micro-endoscopy
Alexandra Landsman
Ohio State University, USA
For seminal theoretical contributions to strong-field ionization, tunneling-time physics, and attosecond delays, bridging experiment and theory for atoms, molecules, and solids
Hong-Seok Lee
Pukyong National University, Republic of Korea
For technical innovation in holographic and AR/MR displays, and for bridging fundamental optics with practical commercialization
Tongcang Li
Purdue University, USA
For pioneering contributions to nanoscale optical quantum sensing using spin defects in two-dimensional materials and levitated optomechanics
Jinyang Liang
Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Canada
For contributions to ultrafast and coded optical imaging
Odile Liboiron-Ladouceur
McGill University, Canada
For pioneering contributions to integrated photonics, advancing mode-space devices, AI-enabled design, scalable optical interconnects, computing, and fabrication-robust photonic systems
Callum Littlejohns
CORNERSTONE, University of Southampton, UK
For outstanding leadership in the sustained delivery of an open-source integrated photonics prototyping foundry
Cuicui Lu
Beijing Institute of Technology, China
For pioneering contributions to topological nanophotonic rainbows and their applications in nanophotonic devices and optical chips
Jie Luo
Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC), China
For pioneering innovations in optical fibre technologies, industrial leadership, and global standardisation advancing high-capacity optical communication systems
Antigone Marino
Italian National Research Council, Italy
For outstanding contributions to the global optics and photonics community through leadership in international student engagement initiatives and inclusive scientific collaboration
Mikael Mazur
Nokia Bell Labs, USA
For pioneering distributed fiber optic sensing over transoceanic distances
Cleber R. Mendonca
University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
For pioneering contributions to nonlinear optics and ultrafast laser microfabrication, and for distinguished leadership in building internationally impactful photonics research and education
Giovanni Milione
Sintela, USA
For seminal contributions to optical communications and sensing, specifically in space division multiplexing and distributed optical fiber sensing
Andrey Miroshnichenko
University of New South Wales Canberra, Australia
For pioneering contributions to resonant light scattering--Fano resonances, magnetic light, and nonradiating anapole states--enabling all-dielectric meta-optics and advanced photonic devices
Francesco Monticone
Cornell University, USA
For contributions to meta-optics and nanophotonics, including fundamental work on metasurfaces, anomalous scattering, nonlocal and time-varying photonics, and theoretical limits
Galan Moody
University of California Santa Barbara, USA
For seminal contributions to integrated quantum photonics and the translation of quantum photonic technologies from fundamental science to commercialization
Neil Na
Artilux, USA
For pioneering research, development, and commercialization of germanium-silicon single-photon detection technology
Antonio Napoli
Nokia Corporation, Germany
For pioneering contributions to DSP-enabled coherent optical systems, particularly point-to-multipoint architectures based on digital subcarriers multiplexing
Valentina Parigi
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, France
For internationally recognized contributions to multimode quantum optics, photonic quantum technologies, and leadership in experimental quantum information research and education
Wounjhang Park
University of Colorado Boulder, USA
For pioneering contributions to advancing the understanding of light-matter interactions in nanostructures, integrated photonic devices, and their applications in sensing
Richard Pitwon
Seagate / Resolute Photonics, Ireland
For critical advances in system-level optical, photonic, and quantum interconnect technologies for hyperscale environments, and advancing regional engagement through conference leadership
Jurgen Popp
Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Germany
For pioneering work in translational clinical Raman spectroscopy, together with his leadership in establishing Raman as one of the most important analytical approaches, which has transformed the field and inspired worldwide scientific innovation
Gregory Rieker
University of Colorado Boulder, USA
For pioneering applications of frequency comb laser diagnostics in practical environments
Fabian Rotermund
KAIST, Republic of Korea
For significant contributions to ultrafast lasers, nonlinear optics, and terahertz photonics with 2D carbon materials
Zhichao Ruan
Zhejiang University, China
For pioneering work in manipulating light fields for advanced optical computing, particularly in plasmonic/metamaterial analog computing and photonic Ising architectures
Jae-Hyun (Jae) Ryou
University of Houston, USA
For pioneering advances in flexible III-nitride electronic and photonic devices, enabling high-performance sensors and systems operable in extreme environments
Danuta Sampson
Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Australia
For exceptional contributions to biomedical optics and vision research by promoting open science and advancing method standardisation, and for optics education
Giacomo Scalari
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
For contributions to terahertz optical frequency combs and metamaterials
Kaushik Sengupta
Princeton University, USA
For pioneering contributions to silicon terahertz systems, including THz beamforming arrays, programmable metasurfaces, sensing and imaging, and AI-driven design of next-generation sub-THz/THz technologies
Lingyan Shi
University of California San Diego, USA
For pioneering stimulated Raman and multimodal optical imaging innovations that transformed metabolic imaging and advanced biophotonics research in aging
Wei-Chuan Shih
University of Houston, USA
For contributions in Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and plasmonic sensing for disease detection, and innovation in inkjet-printed polymer lens smartphone microscopy
Georgios Siviloglou
University of Crete, Greece
For the discovery and development of accelerating Airy wave packets and their broad impact in classical and quantum optics
Marin Soljacic
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
For pioneering contributions to nanophotonics, topological photonics, and nonlinear optics, and for translating fundamental discoveries into impactful photonic technologies
Balaji Srinivasan
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
For pioneering translational research activities in high power fiber lasers and distributed fiber sensors, as well as high impact educational research
Haiding Sun
University of Science and Technology of China, China
For outstanding achievements to research in efficient ultraviolet optoelectronic devices and their applications to optical communications, imaging, and integrated photonics
Anna Sytchkova
ENEA, Italy
For her outstanding contributions to the fields of optical interference coatings, thin-film characterization, and optical materials research, and for her exceptional service to the Optica community
Yuankai K. Tao
Vanderbilt University, USA
For achievements in novel optical imaging systems for clinical diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring in ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and oncology
James K. Thompson
JILA, NIST & University of Colorado at Boulder, USA
For leading the development of continuous superradiant lasers for ultranarrow spectral width and spin-squeezed state of atoms for precision metrology
Chao Tian
Univ. of Science and Technology of China, China
For significant contributions to photoacoustic tomography spanning physical theory, physics-informed deep learning, system engineering, and clinical translation
Andreas Tittl
Hamburg University of Technology, Germany
For control of light-matter interactions at their fundamental limits, especially for pioneering the realization of bound states in the continuum
Jason Gage Valentine
Vanderbilt University, USA
For pioneering contributions to low-loss dielectric metasurfaces and meta-optics for image processing, and for sustained education in nanophotonics
Ashok Veeraraghavan
Rice University, USA
For outstanding and sustained contributions to the research and development of computational imaging systems for a variety of applications
Miriam Serena Vitiello
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto Nanoscienze, Italy
For groundbreaking studies of light-matter interactions at terahertz frequencies and invention of active THz nanodevices, micro-lasers, and nanoscopy systems advancing terahertz technology
Jianwei Wang
Peking University, China
For pioneering integrated-photonic quantum science and technologies, from chip-scale quantum communication networks and universal quantum computing to topological quantum photonics
Zhe Wang
Tsinghua University, China
For pioneering contributions to quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and leadership in advancing optical diagnostics for energy applications
Benjamin Williams
University of California Los Angeles, USA
For pioneering contributions to the development of terahertz quantum cascade lasers
Ling-An Wu
Inst of Physics, Chinese Acad of Sciences, China
For outstanding contributions to quantum optics, including establishing the foundation for the field in China and supporting women scientists worldwide
Lei Xi
Southern Univ of Science & Technology, China
For his contribution to high-performance photoacoustic imaging and multi-modality optical imaging
Fei Xu
Nanjing University, China
For pioneering contributions to function-integrated fiber devices
Chen Yang
Boston University, USA
For outstanding contributions to nanophotonics and photoacoustic neuromodulation as a new paradigm for non-genetic, high-precision optical control of neural activity
Haishan Zeng
University of British Columbia, Canada
For pioneering contributions to clinically translated endoscopic imaging, rapid Raman spectroscopy, in vivo multiphoton microscopy, and multiphoton photothermolysis therapy
Guoxing Zheng
Wuhan University, China
For his innovations in photonic metasurfaces, with significant contributions to holography, computational imaging, and optical encryption
Renjie Zhou
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For innovating label-free optical imaging techniques, especially quantitative phase imaging, and demonstrating their research and industrial impacts
Tao Zhu
Chongqing University, China
For pioneering contributions to distributed weak-feedback narrow-linewidth fiber lasers and their uses in practical high-performance optical fiber sensing systems
Zuqing Zhu
University of Science and Technology of China, China
For outstanding contributions to the research and development of elastic optical networking and optical data-center networks
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. Discover more at: Optica.org
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Original text here: https://www.optica.org/about/newsroom/news_releases/2026/optica_announces_2027_fellows_class/
Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release:
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Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update
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AMA comments on FDA generative AI-enabled medical device regulatory considerations
On Oct. 16, the AMA submitted comments (PDF) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's discussion paper and request for feedback, Considerations for the Regulation of Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices (PDF). The paper included policy proposals regarding risk assessment, a competency-based approach to premarket evaluation, ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release: * * * Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update * AMA comments on FDA generative AI-enabled medical device regulatory considerations On Oct. 16, the AMA submitted comments (PDF) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's discussion paper and request for feedback, Considerations for the Regulation of Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices (PDF). The paper included policy proposals regarding risk assessment, a competency-based approach to premarket evaluation,risk-proportionate postmarket monitoring, and other considerations related to the oversight of generative AI (GenAI)-enabled devices, which present unique regulatory challenges due to the limitless variability of their inputs and outputs.
The FDA proposes a total product life cycle, risk-based approach based on a device's intended use and technological characteristics, relying on a two-axis framework heuristic considering the level of the device's independence in directing or taking action relative to the consequences or severity of harm that could result from relying on an incorrect output.
The AMA expressed strong support overall, emphasizing the importance of physician involvement in establishing and evaluating device standards while adding that the agency's prioritization of regulatory flexibility should not detract from measures necessary to establish a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness.
The AMA cautioned that physician supervision should not be presumed to mitigate device risk and that physician expertise should inform the standards for regulatory controls rather than serve as a safety net for potentially unsafe and ineffective GenAI devices. The AMA was supportive of the agency's proposal for a competency-based approach for premarket evaluation encompassing both device benchmarking and clinical confirmation but stressed that clinician involvement in these processes should not result in accountability for device performance being passed from manufacturers to physicians.
"GenAI has the potential to extend the reach of physicians and fundamentally improve how patients receive care. Realizing that potential requires new approaches to evaluating technologies that can perform increasingly consequential clinical functions," said AMA President Willie Underwood, MD, MSc, MPH, in a statement on the letter. "Physicians have a critical role in defining what good performance looks like, and the AMA is ready to help build the evidence and oversight frameworks that will allow trustworthy AI that improves care. Manufacturers must remain accountable for the performance of their products, and patients and physicians deserve the confidence that these technologies are safe and effective."
The FDA is considering feedback from interested parties in developing future draft guidance for GenAI-enabled medical devices.
AMPAC launches interactive Election Hub
AMPAC has launched a new mobile-friendly, interactive Election Hub to help physicians and supporters explore AMPAC's political activity, supported candidates and voter engagement opportunities. The hub features searchable race and candidate information, a national overview highlighting the geographic reach and bipartisan nature of AMPAC's support, voter information resources, AMPAC's independent expenditure efforts, and resources for physicians and other candidates considering elected office. The site is designed to provide a comprehensive view of AMPAC's work to advance AMA's advocacy efforts through political engagement.
AMA responds to NIH RFI on changes to reporting outcomes from NIH peer review
In a recent public response to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) RFI, the AMA urged NIH to retain reporting of overall impact scores and percentile rankings and to establish clear standards for how peer-review results and programmatic priorities inform funding decisions.
In its RFI on Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer Review, the agency proposed replacing the reporting of final overall impact scores and percentile rankings with three broad categories: "Most Competitive," "Competitive," and "Not Discussed." Although expert reviewers would continue to evaluate and score applications under existing procedures, NIH proposed to withhold the final overall impact scores and percentile rankings from applicants, their institutions, NIH program staff, Institute and Center leadership, and advisory councils.
The AMA advocated that NIH preserve expert peer review and accountability in funding decisions. The RFI expressly stated that withholding scores would empower program officials to use their "substantial expertise, portfolio analyses, and good judgment," to make award recommendations that better reflect NIH's strategic priorities. However, the proposal did not specify the minimum scientific qualifications required of officials exercising this discretion or establish standards for documenting how programmatic considerations justify funding recommendations that depart from expert peer-review rankings.
The AMA's response also asked the NIH to maintain meaningful peer-review feedback for investigators and research institutions, so investigators have information about the relative competitiveness of their applications, helping them interpret peer-review outcomes and decide whether and how to revise and resubmit their proposals.
In addition, the AMA recommended that NIH advance its Unified Funding Strategy through transparent, scientifically grounded award decisions, allowing NIH to achieve the objectives of its strategy while preserving the rigor, independence and transparency of expert peer review.
The AMA response aligned with the positions expressed in a July 10 letter (PDF) to the Office of Management and Budget on Federal Awards, which emphasized that federal grantmaking should be grounded in evidence, statutory purpose and expected public value.
New members added to payment model advisory committee
Six new members have been appointed to the Physician-focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) for three-year terms by the Government Accountability Office. The PTAC is an 11-member independent committee created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reform Act (MACRA) of 2015 to review alternative payment model proposals and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on those that the government should test or implement. Of the six new members, three are physicians:
* AMA Trustee Marta Van Beek, MD, MPH, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon who serves as executive medical director for the University of Iowa Health Care Enterprise
* Jennifer Aloff, MD, FAAFP, a board-certified family physician and owner of Midland Family Physicians who represents family physicians on the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC)
* Reshma Gupta, MD, MSHPM, chief of population health and accountable care at UC Davis Health
CMS proposes rule implementing AMA-backed REAL Health Providers Act and PBM reforms
On Oct. 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule implementing several provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, including the AMA-backed Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act and new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms.
Beginning in 2028, the REAL Health Providers Act requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to verify provider directory information at least every 90 days for most providers, remove providers who are no longer in-network, and conduct annual assessments of directory accuracy, with public reporting beginning in 2029. The law also protects patients who rely on inaccurate directories to obtain care by limiting their cost sharing to the in-network amount when it is lower. CMS' proposed rule establishes requirements for implementing these protections, including how plans verify directory information, assess accuracy and determine when patients qualify for cost-sharing protections.
Of particular concern, CMS proposes new requirements that would obligate MA plans to include contractual provisions requiring physicians to maintain accurate directory information and furnish documentation of when patients scheduled appointments, with the latter obligation extending at least 10 years after leaving a plan's network. The proposal would also permit plans to rely on repeated outreach to physician practices to verify directory information, potentially creating significant administrative burdens and shifting responsibility for directory accuracy from plans to physicians.
The AMA will submit comments consistent with existing policy, focusing on MA plan accountability for directory accuracy, minimizing administrative burdens on physicians, improving the reliability and transparency of provider network information for patients, and implementing patient cost-sharing protections.
The importance of these reforms was recently highlighted in a New York Times article examining persistent limitations in MA provider directory information. AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, welcomed the forthcoming accuracy requirements and emphasized the importance of plans using information already available to them rather than imposing additional verification burdens on physicians.
Separately, the rule proposes implementing statutory restrictions on PBM compensation and requiring PBMs to report information on drug costs, formulary placement and utilization management practices to Part D sponsors and CMS. The AMA will urge CMS to prevent PBMs from circumventing the compensation restrictions through inflated service fees or affiliate arrangements and to use the new reporting data to assess formulary placement, PA requirements and whether savings are reaching patients through lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.
Comments are due Dec. 15, 2026.
HHS Cyber Gateway offers physicians free training and resources to strengthen healthcare cybersecurity
During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, physicians and healthcare organizations should take this opportunity to strengthen their cybersecurity readiness. The AMA encourages physicians to access the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Cyber Gateway, a valuable resource available at no cost through the 405(d) Program. Developed through a collaboration between the federal government and healthcare industry stakeholders, the Cyber Gateway serves as a central hub for cybersecurity guidance, tools and educational materials for the healthcare and public health sector. These resources build on the "Cyber Safety is Patient Safety" message, and underscore the critical link between cybersecurity and protecting patient care.
The portal provides a wide range of assets tailored to organizations of all sizes, from small physician practices and clinics to large health systems. Visitors can access the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) publications (PDF), technical guidance documents, resiliency analyses, cybersecurity toolkits, posters, webinars and other materials focused on mitigating today's most common cyber threats.
The site also features a Knowledge on Demand tab that delivers practical cybersecurity education, including resources on major healthcare cyber threats and quick-learning modules that can help staff improve their awareness and preparedness. All materials are freely available, making it easier for organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses regardless of their budgets.
Healthcare leaders should fully leverage these offerings and consider incorporating the training and educational resources into employee onboarding, annual compliance activities and ongoing cybersecurity awareness programs.
Physicians can also subscribe to the 405(d) mailing list to receive cybersecurity newsletters, advisory bulletins, and updates on emerging threats, ensuring they stay informed in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
***
Original text here: https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/advocacy-update/oct-23-2026-national-advocacy-update (TNSmlt) (TNSmrp)
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Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update
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AMA comments on FDA generative AI-enabled medical device regulatory considerations
On Oct. 16, the AMA submitted comments (PDF) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's discussion paper and request for feedback, Considerations for the Regulation of Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices (PDF). The paper included policy proposals regarding risk assessment, a competency-based approach to premarket evaluation, ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release: * * * Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update * AMA comments on FDA generative AI-enabled medical device regulatory considerations On Oct. 16, the AMA submitted comments (PDF) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's discussion paper and request for feedback, Considerations for the Regulation of Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices (PDF). The paper included policy proposals regarding risk assessment, a competency-based approach to premarket evaluation,risk-proportionate postmarket monitoring, and other considerations related to the oversight of generative AI (GenAI)-enabled devices, which present unique regulatory challenges due to the limitless variability of their inputs and outputs.
The FDA proposes a total product life cycle, risk-based approach based on a device's intended use and technological characteristics, relying on a two-axis framework heuristic considering the level of the device's independence in directing or taking action relative to the consequences or severity of harm that could result from relying on an incorrect output.
The AMA expressed strong support overall, emphasizing the importance of physician involvement in establishing and evaluating device standards while adding that the agency's prioritization of regulatory flexibility should not detract from measures necessary to establish a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness.
The AMA cautioned that physician supervision should not be presumed to mitigate device risk and that physician expertise should inform the standards for regulatory controls rather than serve as a safety net for potentially unsafe and ineffective GenAI devices. The AMA was supportive of the agency's proposal for a competency-based approach for premarket evaluation encompassing both device benchmarking and clinical confirmation but stressed that clinician involvement in these processes should not result in accountability for device performance being passed from manufacturers to physicians.
"GenAI has the potential to extend the reach of physicians and fundamentally improve how patients receive care. Realizing that potential requires new approaches to evaluating technologies that can perform increasingly consequential clinical functions," said AMA President Willie Underwood, MD, MSc, MPH, in a statement on the letter. "Physicians have a critical role in defining what good performance looks like, and the AMA is ready to help build the evidence and oversight frameworks that will allow trustworthy AI that improves care. Manufacturers must remain accountable for the performance of their products, and patients and physicians deserve the confidence that these technologies are safe and effective."
The FDA is considering feedback from interested parties in developing future draft guidance for GenAI-enabled medical devices.
AMPAC launches interactive Election Hub
AMPAC has launched a new mobile-friendly, interactive Election Hub to help physicians and supporters explore AMPAC's political activity, supported candidates and voter engagement opportunities. The hub features searchable race and candidate information, a national overview highlighting the geographic reach and bipartisan nature of AMPAC's support, voter information resources, AMPAC's independent expenditure efforts, and resources for physicians and other candidates considering elected office. The site is designed to provide a comprehensive view of AMPAC's work to advance AMA's advocacy efforts through political engagement.
AMA responds to NIH RFI on changes to reporting outcomes from NIH peer review
In a recent public response to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) RFI, the AMA urged NIH to retain reporting of overall impact scores and percentile rankings and to establish clear standards for how peer-review results and programmatic priorities inform funding decisions.
In its RFI on Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer Review, the agency proposed replacing the reporting of final overall impact scores and percentile rankings with three broad categories: "Most Competitive," "Competitive," and "Not Discussed." Although expert reviewers would continue to evaluate and score applications under existing procedures, NIH proposed to withhold the final overall impact scores and percentile rankings from applicants, their institutions, NIH program staff, Institute and Center leadership, and advisory councils.
The AMA advocated that NIH preserve expert peer review and accountability in funding decisions. The RFI expressly stated that withholding scores would empower program officials to use their "substantial expertise, portfolio analyses, and good judgment," to make award recommendations that better reflect NIH's strategic priorities. However, the proposal did not specify the minimum scientific qualifications required of officials exercising this discretion or establish standards for documenting how programmatic considerations justify funding recommendations that depart from expert peer-review rankings.
The AMA's response also asked the NIH to maintain meaningful peer-review feedback for investigators and research institutions, so investigators have information about the relative competitiveness of their applications, helping them interpret peer-review outcomes and decide whether and how to revise and resubmit their proposals.
In addition, the AMA recommended that NIH advance its Unified Funding Strategy through transparent, scientifically grounded award decisions, allowing NIH to achieve the objectives of its strategy while preserving the rigor, independence and transparency of expert peer review.
The AMA response aligned with the positions expressed in a July 10 letter (PDF) to the Office of Management and Budget on Federal Awards, which emphasized that federal grantmaking should be grounded in evidence, statutory purpose and expected public value.
New members added to payment model advisory committee
Six new members have been appointed to the Physician-focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) for three-year terms by the Government Accountability Office. The PTAC is an 11-member independent committee created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reform Act (MACRA) of 2015 to review alternative payment model proposals and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on those that the government should test or implement. Of the six new members, three are physicians:
* AMA Trustee Marta Van Beek, MD, MPH, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon who serves as executive medical director for the University of Iowa Health Care Enterprise
* Jennifer Aloff, MD, FAAFP, a board-certified family physician and owner of Midland Family Physicians who represents family physicians on the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC)
* Reshma Gupta, MD, MSHPM, chief of population health and accountable care at UC Davis Health
CMS proposes rule implementing AMA-backed REAL Health Providers Act and PBM reforms
On Oct. 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule implementing several provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, including the AMA-backed Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act and new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms.
Beginning in 2028, the REAL Health Providers Act requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to verify provider directory information at least every 90 days for most providers, remove providers who are no longer in-network, and conduct annual assessments of directory accuracy, with public reporting beginning in 2029. The law also protects patients who rely on inaccurate directories to obtain care by limiting their cost sharing to the in-network amount when it is lower. CMS' proposed rule establishes requirements for implementing these protections, including how plans verify directory information, assess accuracy and determine when patients qualify for cost-sharing protections.
Of particular concern, CMS proposes new requirements that would obligate MA plans to include contractual provisions requiring physicians to maintain accurate directory information and furnish documentation of when patients scheduled appointments, with the latter obligation extending at least 10 years after leaving a plan's network. The proposal would also permit plans to rely on repeated outreach to physician practices to verify directory information, potentially creating significant administrative burdens and shifting responsibility for directory accuracy from plans to physicians.
The AMA will submit comments consistent with existing policy, focusing on MA plan accountability for directory accuracy, minimizing administrative burdens on physicians, improving the reliability and transparency of provider network information for patients, and implementing patient cost-sharing protections.
The importance of these reforms was recently highlighted in a New York Times article examining persistent limitations in MA provider directory information. AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, welcomed the forthcoming accuracy requirements and emphasized the importance of plans using information already available to them rather than imposing additional verification burdens on physicians.
Separately, the rule proposes implementing statutory restrictions on PBM compensation and requiring PBMs to report information on drug costs, formulary placement and utilization management practices to Part D sponsors and CMS. The AMA will urge CMS to prevent PBMs from circumventing the compensation restrictions through inflated service fees or affiliate arrangements and to use the new reporting data to assess formulary placement, PA requirements and whether savings are reaching patients through lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.
Comments are due Dec. 15, 2026.
HHS Cyber Gateway offers physicians free training and resources to strengthen healthcare cybersecurity
During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, physicians and healthcare organizations should take this opportunity to strengthen their cybersecurity readiness. The AMA encourages physicians to access the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Cyber Gateway, a valuable resource available at no cost through the 405(d) Program. Developed through a collaboration between the federal government and healthcare industry stakeholders, the Cyber Gateway serves as a central hub for cybersecurity guidance, tools and educational materials for the healthcare and public health sector. These resources build on the "Cyber Safety is Patient Safety" message, and underscore the critical link between cybersecurity and protecting patient care.
The portal provides a wide range of assets tailored to organizations of all sizes, from small physician practices and clinics to large health systems. Visitors can access the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) publications (PDF), technical guidance documents, resiliency analyses, cybersecurity toolkits, posters, webinars and other materials focused on mitigating today's most common cyber threats.
The site also features a Knowledge on Demand tab that delivers practical cybersecurity education, including resources on major healthcare cyber threats and quick-learning modules that can help staff improve their awareness and preparedness. All materials are freely available, making it easier for organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses regardless of their budgets.
Healthcare leaders should fully leverage these offerings and consider incorporating the training and educational resources into employee onboarding, annual compliance activities and ongoing cybersecurity awareness programs.
Physicians can also subscribe to the 405(d) mailing list to receive cybersecurity newsletters, advisory bulletins, and updates on emerging threats, ensuring they stay informed in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
***
Original text here: https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/advocacy-update/oct-23-2026-national-advocacy-update (TNSmlt) (TNSmrp)
Legacy Amendment Supports $349,104 in Small Grants to History Organizations Throughout Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Oct. 23 [Category: Arts/Cultural] -- The Minnesota Historical Society posted the following news release:
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Legacy Amendment Supports $349,104 in Small Grants to History Organizations Throughout Minnesota
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ST. PAUL, Minn. (October 23, 2026) - The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is pleased to announce the newest recipients of 21 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($20,000 and less), totaling $349,104 in 11 counties.
Small grants are awarded quarterly to help nonprofits, educational organizations, government units, and federally recognized Tribes ... Show Full Article ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Oct. 23 [Category: Arts/Cultural] -- The Minnesota Historical Society posted the following news release: * * * Legacy Amendment Supports $349,104 in Small Grants to History Organizations Throughout Minnesota * ST. PAUL, Minn. (October 23, 2026) - The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is pleased to announce the newest recipients of 21 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($20,000 and less), totaling $349,104 in 11 counties. Small grants are awarded quarterly to help nonprofits, educational organizations, government units, and federally recognized Tribesto preserve and share Minnesota history. This cycle of awards was approved by the MNHS Executive Council on September 10, 2026.
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants are made possible by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008. The Legacy Amendment supports efforts to preserve Minnesota land, water, and legacy, including Minnesota history and cultural heritage.
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grant Recipients
Recipients of small grants ($20,000 and less) from the fiscal year 2027 July small grants cycle are listed in alphabetical order below. Each project will preserve and enhance Minnesota's cultural and historical resources. All grants are competitive and awarded according to program guidelines and criteria, as well as professional standards.
Caponi Art Park, Eagan, $19,065
To document up to 22 oral history interviews the history of Caponi Art Park in Eagan.
Cathedral of Saint Paul, St. Paul, $9,249
To provide an appropriate storage space and storage materials for an historic collection.
City of Afton, Afton, $8,150
To hire a qualified consultant to write text for ten sites of historical significance in the Valley Creek area for a future history tour.
City of Appleton, Appleton, $20,000
To revise and improve scripts for Minnesota River National Scenic Byway history tours.
City of Buffalo (MN Heritage Preservation Advisory Board), Buffalo, $14,110
To hire a qualified historian to complete an evaluation to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for the 1935 Buffalo Lake Scenic Overlook.
City of Excelsior, Excelsior, $20,000
To hire a qualified architect to conduct a conditions assessment of the 1899-1901 Excelsior Public School, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
City of Hackensack, Hackensack, $20,000
To hire qualified technicians to upgrade the furnace in the 1936 Hackensack Conservation Building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
City of Minneapolis (Community Planning & Economic Development), Minneapolis, $15,000
To hire a qualified consultant to research the history of settlement houses in Minneapolis.
City of Porter, Porter, $15,000
To hire a qualified historian to complete an evaluation to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for the 1903 Porter Jail.
Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc., St. Paul, $16,589
To document in 10 oral history interviews the history of Face to Face Health & Counseling Service.
Global Minnesota, Minneapolis, $20,000
To hire qualified professionals to publish a book on the 75th anniversary of the founding of Global Minnesota.
Great Northern Railway Historical Society, St. Paul, $18,457
To provide better organization of a significant group of historic railroad records, allowing for greater public access to the community's historic resources.
Highland Heritage Project, St. Paul, $16,300
To hire qualified professionals to produce a final script on the history of Jewish and Christian residents of Highland Park, St. Paul.
Jackson County Historical Society, Lakefield, $6,000
To provide better organization of the museum collections, allowing for greater public access to the community's historic resources.
La Crescent Area Historical Society, La Crescent, $13,600
Regents of the University of Minnesota (UMN SPA), Minneapolis, $19,900
To hire a qualified consultant to research the history of civic leadership in Minnesota, 1945-2025, in preparation for a future exhibit.
St. Olaf College, Northfield, $19,934
To document in 9 oral history interviews the history of the 1918 St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church's 1967-8 restoration.
TCMediaNow, Maplewood, $20,000
To create a publicly accessible website and searchable database for TCMediaNow's Minnesota audiovisual archives.
The Trust for Public Land, St. Paul, $17,750
To document in 15 oral history interviews the history of Central Village Park, a neighborhood developed after I-94 was built through the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul.
Twin Cities Cable Arts Consortium, Minneapolis, $20,000
To hire qualified professionals to produce a script on the early history of community access television in Minnesota.
Washington County Historical Society, Stillwater, $20,000
To hire a qualified consultant to write an exhibit plan for the history of Stillwater High School.
Grants are available for history and historic preservation projects in two funding tiers. Small grants of $20,000 or less are awarded quarterly. The next small grant application deadlines are January 8, 2027 and April 9, 2027. Large grants of more than $20,000 are offered once a year. All grants are administered through a competitive process using professional standards and criteria.
***
Original text here: https://www.mnhs.org/media/news/small-legacy-grants-july-fy-27
* * *
Legacy Amendment Supports $349,104 in Small Grants to History Organizations Throughout Minnesota
*
ST. PAUL, Minn. (October 23, 2026) - The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is pleased to announce the newest recipients of 21 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($20,000 and less), totaling $349,104 in 11 counties.
Small grants are awarded quarterly to help nonprofits, educational organizations, government units, and federally recognized Tribes ... Show Full Article ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Oct. 23 [Category: Arts/Cultural] -- The Minnesota Historical Society posted the following news release: * * * Legacy Amendment Supports $349,104 in Small Grants to History Organizations Throughout Minnesota * ST. PAUL, Minn. (October 23, 2026) - The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is pleased to announce the newest recipients of 21 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($20,000 and less), totaling $349,104 in 11 counties. Small grants are awarded quarterly to help nonprofits, educational organizations, government units, and federally recognized Tribesto preserve and share Minnesota history. This cycle of awards was approved by the MNHS Executive Council on September 10, 2026.
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants are made possible by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008. The Legacy Amendment supports efforts to preserve Minnesota land, water, and legacy, including Minnesota history and cultural heritage.
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grant Recipients
Recipients of small grants ($20,000 and less) from the fiscal year 2027 July small grants cycle are listed in alphabetical order below. Each project will preserve and enhance Minnesota's cultural and historical resources. All grants are competitive and awarded according to program guidelines and criteria, as well as professional standards.
Caponi Art Park, Eagan, $19,065
To document up to 22 oral history interviews the history of Caponi Art Park in Eagan.
Cathedral of Saint Paul, St. Paul, $9,249
To provide an appropriate storage space and storage materials for an historic collection.
City of Afton, Afton, $8,150
To hire a qualified consultant to write text for ten sites of historical significance in the Valley Creek area for a future history tour.
City of Appleton, Appleton, $20,000
To revise and improve scripts for Minnesota River National Scenic Byway history tours.
City of Buffalo (MN Heritage Preservation Advisory Board), Buffalo, $14,110
To hire a qualified historian to complete an evaluation to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for the 1935 Buffalo Lake Scenic Overlook.
City of Excelsior, Excelsior, $20,000
To hire a qualified architect to conduct a conditions assessment of the 1899-1901 Excelsior Public School, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
City of Hackensack, Hackensack, $20,000
To hire qualified technicians to upgrade the furnace in the 1936 Hackensack Conservation Building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
City of Minneapolis (Community Planning & Economic Development), Minneapolis, $15,000
To hire a qualified consultant to research the history of settlement houses in Minneapolis.
City of Porter, Porter, $15,000
To hire a qualified historian to complete an evaluation to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for the 1903 Porter Jail.
Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc., St. Paul, $16,589
To document in 10 oral history interviews the history of Face to Face Health & Counseling Service.
Global Minnesota, Minneapolis, $20,000
To hire qualified professionals to publish a book on the 75th anniversary of the founding of Global Minnesota.
Great Northern Railway Historical Society, St. Paul, $18,457
To provide better organization of a significant group of historic railroad records, allowing for greater public access to the community's historic resources.
Highland Heritage Project, St. Paul, $16,300
To hire qualified professionals to produce a final script on the history of Jewish and Christian residents of Highland Park, St. Paul.
Jackson County Historical Society, Lakefield, $6,000
To provide better organization of the museum collections, allowing for greater public access to the community's historic resources.
La Crescent Area Historical Society, La Crescent, $13,600
Regents of the University of Minnesota (UMN SPA), Minneapolis, $19,900
To hire a qualified consultant to research the history of civic leadership in Minnesota, 1945-2025, in preparation for a future exhibit.
St. Olaf College, Northfield, $19,934
To document in 9 oral history interviews the history of the 1918 St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church's 1967-8 restoration.
TCMediaNow, Maplewood, $20,000
To create a publicly accessible website and searchable database for TCMediaNow's Minnesota audiovisual archives.
The Trust for Public Land, St. Paul, $17,750
To document in 15 oral history interviews the history of Central Village Park, a neighborhood developed after I-94 was built through the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul.
Twin Cities Cable Arts Consortium, Minneapolis, $20,000
To hire qualified professionals to produce a script on the early history of community access television in Minnesota.
Washington County Historical Society, Stillwater, $20,000
To hire a qualified consultant to write an exhibit plan for the history of Stillwater High School.
Grants are available for history and historic preservation projects in two funding tiers. Small grants of $20,000 or less are awarded quarterly. The next small grant application deadlines are January 8, 2027 and April 9, 2027. Large grants of more than $20,000 are offered once a year. All grants are administered through a competitive process using professional standards and criteria.
***
Original text here: https://www.mnhs.org/media/news/small-legacy-grants-july-fy-27
ITI Publishes Tech Sector Recommendations for Incoming Lithuanian Council Presidency
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Computer Technology] -- The Information Technology Industry Council posted the following news release:
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ITI Publishes Tech Sector Recommendations for Incoming Lithuanian Council Presidency
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BRUSSELS - Global tech trade association ITI today published policy recommendations for the 2027 Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Lithuania takes the helm with security and resilience at the top of the agenda and ITI's recommendations start from the same place.
"Technology policy is security and resilience policy," said ITI Director General for Europe ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Computer Technology] -- The Information Technology Industry Council posted the following news release: * * * ITI Publishes Tech Sector Recommendations for Incoming Lithuanian Council Presidency * BRUSSELS - Global tech trade association ITI today published policy recommendations for the 2027 Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Lithuania takes the helm with security and resilience at the top of the agenda and ITI's recommendations start from the same place. "Technology policy is security and resilience policy," said ITI Director General for EuropeGuido Lobrano. "AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, and communications networks are the foundation the rest is built on."
"Europe's resilience depends on investing in its own capabilities and on staying open to the trusted partners and global supply chains that make those capabilities possible. Trust should be assessed based on what providers actually do: their transparency, governance and risk management practices, state of the art cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience," continued Lobrano. "Tech sovereignty should be understood as the ability of governments, businesses and users to act with confidence and autonomy when needed, without resorting to self-sufficiency".
ITI's recommendations focus on:
* Trusted partnerships: Promote objective, risk-based approaches to trusted technology providers based on governance, cybersecurity practices, operational independence, transparency and supply chain resilience. Geographic location or country of headquarters should not determine whether a provider can be trusted.
* Cloud and AI infrastructure: Accelerate Europe's cloud, AI and data center capacity through streamlined permitting, predictable grid access, reliable and competitively priced energy, and harmonized, technology-neutral sustainability rules.
* Simplification: Build on Lithuania's support for an Implementation and Consolidation Year by prioritizing implementation of recently adopted rules, regulatory restraint and systematic review of overlapping or cumulative obligations.
* Cybersecurity: Establish a clear, EU-wide and risk-based ICT supply-chain framework, with transparent criteria for identifying high-risk suppliers based on demonstrable cybersecurity risks.
* Digital Networks Act: Maintain clear regulatory boundaries so that telecom-specific rules do not inadvertently capture private networks, backbone infrastructure, data center interconnections, or content-delivery networks.
* AI implementation: Promote clear, practical and coordinated implementation of the AI Act through timely guidance, proportionate Codes of Practice, consistent application by the AI Board, mutual recognition and streamlined enforcement.
Read the full recommendations.
***
Original text here: https://www.itic.org/news-events/news-releases/iti-publishes-tech-sector-recommendations-for-incoming-lithuanian-council-presidency
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ITI Publishes Tech Sector Recommendations for Incoming Lithuanian Council Presidency
*
BRUSSELS - Global tech trade association ITI today published policy recommendations for the 2027 Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Lithuania takes the helm with security and resilience at the top of the agenda and ITI's recommendations start from the same place.
"Technology policy is security and resilience policy," said ITI Director General for Europe ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Computer Technology] -- The Information Technology Industry Council posted the following news release: * * * ITI Publishes Tech Sector Recommendations for Incoming Lithuanian Council Presidency * BRUSSELS - Global tech trade association ITI today published policy recommendations for the 2027 Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Lithuania takes the helm with security and resilience at the top of the agenda and ITI's recommendations start from the same place. "Technology policy is security and resilience policy," said ITI Director General for EuropeGuido Lobrano. "AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, and communications networks are the foundation the rest is built on."
"Europe's resilience depends on investing in its own capabilities and on staying open to the trusted partners and global supply chains that make those capabilities possible. Trust should be assessed based on what providers actually do: their transparency, governance and risk management practices, state of the art cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience," continued Lobrano. "Tech sovereignty should be understood as the ability of governments, businesses and users to act with confidence and autonomy when needed, without resorting to self-sufficiency".
ITI's recommendations focus on:
* Trusted partnerships: Promote objective, risk-based approaches to trusted technology providers based on governance, cybersecurity practices, operational independence, transparency and supply chain resilience. Geographic location or country of headquarters should not determine whether a provider can be trusted.
* Cloud and AI infrastructure: Accelerate Europe's cloud, AI and data center capacity through streamlined permitting, predictable grid access, reliable and competitively priced energy, and harmonized, technology-neutral sustainability rules.
* Simplification: Build on Lithuania's support for an Implementation and Consolidation Year by prioritizing implementation of recently adopted rules, regulatory restraint and systematic review of overlapping or cumulative obligations.
* Cybersecurity: Establish a clear, EU-wide and risk-based ICT supply-chain framework, with transparent criteria for identifying high-risk suppliers based on demonstrable cybersecurity risks.
* Digital Networks Act: Maintain clear regulatory boundaries so that telecom-specific rules do not inadvertently capture private networks, backbone infrastructure, data center interconnections, or content-delivery networks.
* AI implementation: Promote clear, practical and coordinated implementation of the AI Act through timely guidance, proportionate Codes of Practice, consistent application by the AI Board, mutual recognition and streamlined enforcement.
Read the full recommendations.
***
Original text here: https://www.itic.org/news-events/news-releases/iti-publishes-tech-sector-recommendations-for-incoming-lithuanian-council-presidency
California Threatens Free Speech Yet Again: NetChoice Sues to Stop Unskippable Government Warnings on Social Media
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Business] -- NetChoice, a coalition of trade associations that says it makes the internet safe for free enterprise and expression, posted the following news release:
* * *
California Threatens Free Speech Yet Again: NetChoice Sues to Stop Unskippable Government Warnings on Social Media
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LOS ANGELES, Calif.--NetChoice sued California yesterday to stop the government's latest attack on websites that display fully protected speech. AB 56 is a law that will force websites to put up state-scripted "warning" messages discouraging Californians from using online services ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Business] -- NetChoice, a coalition of trade associations that says it makes the internet safe for free enterprise and expression, posted the following news release: * * * California Threatens Free Speech Yet Again: NetChoice Sues to Stop Unskippable Government Warnings on Social Media * LOS ANGELES, Calif.--NetChoice sued California yesterday to stop the government's latest attack on websites that display fully protected speech. AB 56 is a law that will force websites to put up state-scripted "warning" messages discouraging Californians from using online servicesand promoting the government's controversial views on social media. This is compelled speech, a direct violation of the First Amendment.
"The First Amendment is not a suggestion," said Paul Taske, Director of the NetChoice Litigation Center.
"California cannot force a private website to act as a mouthpiece for its preferred message. The State is free to speak for itself, but the Constitution forbids it from forcing others to speak for it. A federal court already blocked Colorado's nearly identical law, and there is no First Amendment exception for California."
WHY CALIFORNIANS SHOULD CARE:
* The warnings take up as much as 75% of the screen for up to 30 seconds, cannot be skipped, and come back up every hour after three hours online, no matter how many times users have seen them.
* An unconstitutional law protects no one, and in this case, it actively undermines the public's access to diverse perspectives and information.
* California is exploiting legitimate concerns about mental health to justify its attacks on speech services.
* Politicians are using "public health" as a backdoor way to control online speech. States cannot do by "warning label" what they are unable to do by outright ban. A federal court already blocked Colorado's nearly identical law on First Amendment grounds, and California's should fall too.
* California doesn't trust adults to make their own choices, or parents to make decisions for their own families. Unless a site has verified a user is over 17, everyone gets the warning.
Read the full complaint here.
Find case resources for NetChoice v. Bonta (2026) here.
***
Original text here: https://netchoice.org/california-threatens-free-speech-yet-again-netchoice-sues-to-stop-unskippable-government-warnings-on-social-media/
* * *
California Threatens Free Speech Yet Again: NetChoice Sues to Stop Unskippable Government Warnings on Social Media
*
LOS ANGELES, Calif.--NetChoice sued California yesterday to stop the government's latest attack on websites that display fully protected speech. AB 56 is a law that will force websites to put up state-scripted "warning" messages discouraging Californians from using online services ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 [Category: Business] -- NetChoice, a coalition of trade associations that says it makes the internet safe for free enterprise and expression, posted the following news release: * * * California Threatens Free Speech Yet Again: NetChoice Sues to Stop Unskippable Government Warnings on Social Media * LOS ANGELES, Calif.--NetChoice sued California yesterday to stop the government's latest attack on websites that display fully protected speech. AB 56 is a law that will force websites to put up state-scripted "warning" messages discouraging Californians from using online servicesand promoting the government's controversial views on social media. This is compelled speech, a direct violation of the First Amendment.
"The First Amendment is not a suggestion," said Paul Taske, Director of the NetChoice Litigation Center.
"California cannot force a private website to act as a mouthpiece for its preferred message. The State is free to speak for itself, but the Constitution forbids it from forcing others to speak for it. A federal court already blocked Colorado's nearly identical law, and there is no First Amendment exception for California."
WHY CALIFORNIANS SHOULD CARE:
* The warnings take up as much as 75% of the screen for up to 30 seconds, cannot be skipped, and come back up every hour after three hours online, no matter how many times users have seen them.
* An unconstitutional law protects no one, and in this case, it actively undermines the public's access to diverse perspectives and information.
* California is exploiting legitimate concerns about mental health to justify its attacks on speech services.
* Politicians are using "public health" as a backdoor way to control online speech. States cannot do by "warning label" what they are unable to do by outright ban. A federal court already blocked Colorado's nearly identical law on First Amendment grounds, and California's should fall too.
* California doesn't trust adults to make their own choices, or parents to make decisions for their own families. Unless a site has verified a user is over 17, everyone gets the warning.
Read the full complaint here.
Find case resources for NetChoice v. Bonta (2026) here.
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Original text here: https://netchoice.org/california-threatens-free-speech-yet-again-netchoice-sues-to-stop-unskippable-government-warnings-on-social-media/