Bio – Markus received his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Bern, Switzerland in 1994 on upconversion luminescence in rare-earth-doped materials. He then conducted postdoctoral research at Los Alamos National Laboratory and at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on optical amplifier materials and optical bistability. In 1998, he joined the Silicon-Valley startup Gemfire, where he developed upconversion phosphors for flat-panel displays and fiber-optic amplifiers for optical telecommunications applications. In 2003, Markus rejoined LANL as a staff member where he since worked at the LANSCE neutron scattering center, in Chemistry division, in the Materials Science & Technology division, and – currently – in the Intelligence & Space Division. His interests include the research and development of materials for solid-state optical refrigeration, the development of novel radiation-detection materials and devices, and the fundamental properties of rare-earth-doped materials. Markus currently leads the LANL Agile Space portfolio, which includes several CubeSat and sub-orbital flight-testing missions for science and national security sponsors. Markus has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed papers, 12 patents, and has given over 80 conference presentations. He is an active student and staff mentor, and he is a Fellow of Optica.