In 1983, an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in "Optical Sciences and Engineering” (OSE) was founded by Professors Marlan Scully (Physics) and Kenneth Jungling (ECE) at the University of New Mexico, (UNM). It started as one of only two Ph.D. programs in Optics; the other two being at the University of Arizona and the University of Rochester. It became soon one of the most successful science and engineering interdisciplinary programs worldwide, with a strong international reputation both in education and research. The OSE Program will celebrate its 40th anniversary with two days of scheduled events and invited speakers on March 7 and 8, 2024. The invited speakers include Dr. John Hall, Nobel Laureate of Physics (Special Video Address for the OSE Program); Dr. John McIver, former UNM Vice President of Research and former UNM Physics and Astronomy Chair; Scott Diddams, professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and graduate of the OSE program. The program delayed its anniversary celebration last year due to the memorials for Distinguished Professor and longstanding Chair of the OSE Program, Dr. Mansoor Sheik-Bahae.

“We are very excited to celebrate 40 years of the OSE Program at UNM.  More now than ever, the fields of optics and photonics are essential to modern technologies such as communications, imaging, computing, lighting, and medicine,” Dr. Daniel Feezell, OSE’s General Chair, said. “Optics and photonics also enable numerous advancements in basic scientific research, promising an exciting future of new discoveries!”