The Optica Foundation has named the ten exceptional early-career members who will serve as the 2025 class of Optica Ambassadors. Following a competitive application process, ambassadors are chosen for their outstanding dedication to the Optica community. These emerging leaders are set to provide guidance and support to young worldwide helping to promote and enable successful careers in optics and photonics.

“Since 2016, our dedicated Ambassadors have offered mentorship for career paths and professional and technical expertise,” said Eric Mazur, chair, Optica Foundation board of directors. “This upcoming [tenth] class evokes Optica’s core values of innovation, integrity, inclusivity and impact and will offer fresh perspectives to our global community.”

Supported by the Optica Foundation's annual fund, Ambassadors engage with Optica Student Chapters, offering training and sharing insights through virtual meetups and in-person programs. Their role extends to nurturing early-career researchers, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose in optics and photonics. Ambassadors play an essential role in demonstrating career opportunities in academia, industry, and government roles and helping to ensure inclusion among our global community.

The 2025 Optica Ambassadors are:

• Milvia Alata, KU Leuven, Belgium
• Isabel Allegro, Jenoptik Optical Systems, Germany
• Neda Baktash, Coherent Corp, United Kingdom
• Claire Cisowski, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
• Begüm Kabagöz, LIGO Livingston – Caltech, United States
• Diana Mojahed, Lightfinder, United States
• Justus Ndukaife, Vanderbilt University, USA
• Andrea Pacheco, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
• Fabian Ruf, Zeiss, Germany
• Olivia Wheeler-Williams, Edmund Optics, United States