Please send completed nomination forms via email: awards@lia.org or mail to:
12001 Research Parkway,
Suite 210
Orlando, FL 32826
The basic function of the Board is setting policy, providing oversight and providing strategic direction to the organization. Put the good of the society above your personal preference.
We welcome your participation in the governance of the Laser Institute of America (LIA). During your term as Board Member you assume certain responsibilities, as outlined below. The basic function of the Board is setting policy, providing oversight and providing strategic direction to the organization. Put the good of the society above your personal preference.
Fiduciary Responsibility
Board Members have a fiduciary responsibility to the organization of basic loyalty, avoidance of conflicts of interest, maintaining of confidentiality of sensitive organizational information and avoidance of individual use of "corporate opportunities."
Attendance at Board of Trustees Meetings
Every Board Member shall attend as many board meetings as possible (two generally scheduled six months apart) during each year of service to the board. Please note ARTICLE III, Section 8 of the By-Laws, which considers absence from three consecutive meetings to be a resignation.
Journal of Laser Applications®
The Journal is our flagship periodical publication and Board Members are urged to support and promote it in every way possible. For instance, publishing or refereeing papers, having your library purchase a subscription or supporting the JLA with corporate advertising are excellent ways to contribute to the advancement of the Journal.
Safety Training
Board Members are requested to use LIA courses and instructors for their safety training needs and, where appropriate, to recommend them to your customers.
Conferences and Workshops
Board Members are encouraged to support LIA conferences and workshops by serving as a chair, serving on a steering committee, attending, exhibiting or sponsoring. It is also helpful if Board Members recommend LIA conferences and workshops to their customers or to individuals within their corporation.
Membership
Board Members shall actively recruit individual and corporate members and shall maintain their LIA membership during their term of service.
Awards
Board Members should nominate other members as Fellows. Special thought should be given to potential candidates for the Schawlow, Steen, Wilkening, Rockwell, and ALSE Awards.
A Fellow of The Laser Institute is an individual who is widely recognized for exceptional professional contributions to both the laser community and the LIA. We are currently accepting nominations for Fellows. (Awarded at ICALEO®).
Objective
The grade of Fellow is the highest level of membership in the LIA. It is awarded to recognize members of the institute who have:
- attained unusual professional distinction in the LIA mission areas of laser science and technology, laser applications and/or laser safety, and
- provided outstanding service to their field.
Eligibility
The candidate has to satisfy the following criteria:
- must have practiced the profession of laser science and engineering in academia, medicine, industry or government for at least 10 years, and
- fellow membership for any individual shall not be instituted or remain in effect unless his/her membership is current.
- for exceptional candidates, the Executive Committee may waive the eligibility requirements.
Previous Fellow Recipients
- Dr. Yoshiaki Arata
- Mr. Peter Baker
- Mr. Neil Ball
- Mr. Connie Banas
- Mr. Ken Barat
- Prof. Michael Bass
- Dr. Prem Batra
- Mr. David Belforte
- Mr. Burton Bernard
- Dr. Eckhard Beyer
- Prof. Milan Brandt
- Prof. William Bridges
- Prof. Robert Byer
- Mr. Stephen Capp
- Dr. Milton Chang
- Mr. Sidney Charschan
- Dr. Hongqiang CHEN
- Dr. Steven Chu
- Prof. Friedrich Dausinger
- Mr. Paul Denney
- Mr. Jerome Dennis
- Dr. Larry Dosser
- Prof. Walter W. Duley
- Mr. Herbert Dwight
- Prof. Dave Farson
- Mr. Terry Feeley
- Dr. David Flinchbaugh
- Mr. James Franks
- Dr. Jack Gabzdyl
- Dr. Youping Gao
- Dr. Valentin Gapontsev
- Mr. Leon Goldman
- Dr. Bo Gu
- Dr. Arthur Guenther
- Mr. Gilbert Haas
- Prof. Theodor Haensch
- Mr. Robert Handren
- Dr. Paul Hilton
- Dr. James Hobart
- Dr. Helmut Huegel
- Dr. Marshall G. Jones
- Dr. Stefan Kaierle
- Dr. Aravinda Kar
- Dr. Ami Kestenbaum
- Dr. Markus Kogel-Hollacher
- Prof. Volodymyr Kovalenko
- Prof. Francis L'Esperance
- Dr. William Latham
- Ms. Teddi Laurin
- Ms. Wendy Laurin
- Mr. William Lawson
- Prof. Berthold Leibinger
- Prof. Lin Li
- Dr. Xinbing Liu
- Mr. Steve Llewellyn
- Dr. Rocco Lobraico
- Mr. Klaus Loeffler
- Dr. Yongfeng Lu
- Prof. Hau-Chung Man
- Prof. John Marshall
- Mr. Wesley Marshall
- Dr. Richard Martukanitz
- Prof. Akira Matsunawa
- Prof. Jyoti Mazumder
- Dr. Edward Metzbower
- Prof. Isamu Miyamoto
- Dr. John O'Hagan
- Dr. William O'Neill
- Mr. Robert Ossoff
- Dr. Andreas Ostendorf
- Prof. Chrysanthos Panayiotou
- Dr. Henrikki Pantsar
- Dr. C. Kumar Patel
- Dr. Rajesh Patel
- Mr. Ronald Petersen
- Dr. Silke Pflueger
- Prof. Reinhart Poprawe
- Dr. Nathaniel Quick
- Mr. John Ready
- Mr. Stan Ream
- Dr. William Roach
- Dr. Benjamin Rockwell
- Dr. Islam A. Salama
- Mr. Ron Schaeffer
- Dr. Arthur Schawlow
- Dr. Karl Schulmeister
- Dr. William Schwartz
- Dr. Fred Seeber
- Mr. Bill Shiner
- Prof. Anthony Siegman
- Dr. David Sliney
- Prof. M. J. Soileau
- Prof. William M. Steen
- Dr. Koji Sugioka
- Dr. Robert Thomas
- Prof. Charles Townes
- Prof. John Tyrer
- Dr. Kunihiko Washio
- Dr. David Whitehouse
- Dr. Myron Wolbarsht
- Prof. Y. Lawrence Yao
- Prof. Minlin Zhong
- Mr. Sheldon Zimmerman
- Prof. M.J. Soileau
- Dr. Hongqiang Chen
The Laser Institute first presented the Schawlow Award in 1982 to recognize individuals who have made distinguished contributions to applications of lasers in science, industry, education and medicine. (Awarded at ICALEO®).
Objective
To recognize outstanding, career-long contributions to basic and applied research in laser science and engineering leading to fundamental understanding of laser materials interaction and/or transfer of laser technology for increased application in industry, medicine and daily life. Examples of fields of contribution include the following in addition to many relevant topics:
- Laser spectroscopy and its application in materials processing and diagnostics
- Laser-aided materials processing
- Laser interaction with biological tissues
- Development of new lasers
Eligibility
Nominations are open to candidates who made outstanding contribution to basic and applied research in laser science and engineering. The recipient does not have to be a member of LIA but sustained service to LIA can be one of the additional contributions that is considered for the award. Nominations are active for three years.
Previous Recipients
- 1982 – Dr. Arthur Schawlow*
- 1983 – Dr. Arthur H. Guenther*
- 1984 – Dr. Kumar N. Patel
- 1985 – Mr. Leon Goldman*
- 1986 – Prof. William Bridges
- 1987 – Mr. Sidney Charschan*
- 1988 – Prof. Francis L’Esperance*
- 1989 – Dr. Milton Chang
- 1990 – Mr. Herbert Dwight
- 1991 – Prof. Anthony Siegman*
- 1992 – Dr. Yoshiaki Arata*
- 1993 – Dr. James L. Hobart
- 1994 – Dr. Rocco Lobraico*
- 1995 – Mr. David Belforte*
- 1996 – Prof. William M. Steen
- 1997 – Mr. Conrad Banas
- 1998 – Prof. Robert L. Byer
- 1999 – Dr. William Schwartz*
- 2000 – Prof. Theodor W. Hänsch
- 2001 – Prof. Walter W. Duley
- 2002 – Prof. Akira Matsunawa*
- 2003 – Prof. Jyotirmoy Mazumder*
- 2004 – Dr. Helmut Hügel
- 2005 – Dr. David Sliney
- 2006 – Dr. Edward Metzbower
- 2007 – Dr. Marshall G. Jones
- 2008 – Dr. Eckhard Beyer
- 2009 – Dr. Valentin Gapontsev
- 2010 – Dr. Steven Chu
- 2011 – Prof. Berthold Leibinger
- 2012 – Prof. Isamu Miyamoto
- 2013 – Prof. Ursula Keller
- 2014 – Prof. Reinhart Poprawe
- 2015 – Dr. Keming Du
- 2016 – Prof. Yongfeng Lu
- 2017 – Dr. Paul Seiler
- 2018 – Dr. Don Scifres
- 2019 – Dr. Lin Li
- 2020 – Dist. Prof. Milan Brandt
- 2021 – Prof. Aravinda Kar
- 2022 – Prof. Bo Gu
- 2023 – Dr.-Eng. E. h. Peter Leibinger
*Deceased
The Laser Institute is pleased to invite applications for the prestigious William M. Steen Award for significant developments in laser material processing named after one of the early pioneers in the subject. (Awarded at ICALEO®).
In furtherance of our vision, “to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety, worldwide,” The Laser Institute (LIA) has the distinct honor and privilege of presenting the William M. Steen Award to institutions (as defined in Eligibility) that have shown significant contribution in the area of laser material processing. For the purposes of this nomination, “lasers” may include traditional or new lasers, light-emitting diodes, and other high-intensity light sources.
Objective
Named after an early pioneer in the subject, the William M. Steen Award is annually conferred to a single institution that has successfully demonstrated a significant and innovative development in laser material processing.
Laser Material Processing represents a significant area of growth in modern manufacturing. The LIA established this award to highlight and advocate for the incredible potential of this space. Adjudicated by a distinguished panel of laser industry leaders and pioneers, this award recognizes institutions that have shown promise in achieving such significant innovation.
Eligibility
To qualify for the William M. Steen Award, the recipient shall be an institution – a legal entity including but not limited to commercial and non-commercial businesses, academic and research institutions, and government agencies. Further, the innovative development shall fit at least one of the following criteria:
- Application of lasers to a new area (e.g., manufacturing, materials processing, fusion, quantum technology, quantum computing).
- Solution to a long-standing problem, either particular or general, using lasers.
- Novel application of lasers in medicine, agriculture, and other fields of broader impact.
- Development of sensors and detectors for laser diagnostics, monitoring of laser processes, and other related applications such as laser probing of physical, chemical, and biological processes.
Nature of the Award
The William M. Steen Award is conferred annually at the International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) Awards Ceremony. Upon acceptance of the award, the recipient institution will be granted:
- One complimentary full conference registration to ICALEO.
An aural presentation of the award citation at the ICALEO Awards Ceremony. - A ten-minute presentation allocation at the ICALEO Awards Ceremony, customarily given by a C-level executive of the recipient institution.
- To get your company’s or laboratory’s idea recognized as one of the leading concepts of the year please submit this application to the LIA.
Previous Steen Award Recipients:
- 2019 – Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- 2019 – Boss Laser
- 2019 – Electro-Optics Technology, inc.
- 2019 – Hitachi
- 2019 – K-Lab
- 2019 – Lincoln Electric
- 2019 – Samsung
- 2020 – University of Vigo
- 2020 – National Institute of Standards and Technology
- 2020 – Precitec Opronik GmbH
- 2021 – Sensigma
- 2022 – Synova USA Inc.
- 2023 – Gentec-EO
The recipient of the George M. Wilkening Award in Laser Safety is an individual who has made outstanding contributions to laser bioeffects research, development of human exposure limits and safety standards, and to applied laser safety. The recipient does not have to be a member of LIA, but sustained service to LIA can be one of the additional contributions considered. (Awarded at ILSC®).
Objective:
To recognize outstanding contributions to laser bioeffects research and biophysics related to the establishment of human exposure limits, in safety standards development and education, and in applied laser safety and/or the development of engineering control techniques to increase the wider applications of laser technology in industry, medicine and daily life. Examples of fields of contribution include the following:
- Laser bioeffects research and furthering the understanding of laser-tissue interaction
- Development of human exposure limits for laser radiation
- Broadening our understanding of ocular exposure conditions
- Studies of visual effects and developing hazard assessment and measurement techniques
- Development of applied laser safety standards
- Development new engineering control measures and protective equipment
- Extensive contributions to laser safety training and education
Eligibility
Nominations are open to candidates who made outstanding contributions to laser bioeffects research, development of human exposure limits and safety standards, and to applied laser safety. The recipient does not have to be a member of LIA, but sustained service to LIA can be one of the additional contributions considered. Nominations are active for three years.
Previous George M. Wilkening Award Recipients
- 1997 – William T. Ham
- 1999 – John Marshall
- 2001 – Sidney Charschan
- 2001 – Myron Wolbarsht
- 2003 – Rocco Lobraico*
- 2005 – David Sliney
- 2007 – Ronald Petersen
- 2009 – Joseph Zuclich
- 2011 – Benjamin Rockwell
- 2013 – David Lund
- 2013 – Bruce Stuck
- 2015 – Jerome Dennis
- 2017 – Wesley J. Marshall
- 2019 – Robert J. Thomas
The recipient of the R. James Rockwell, Jr. Educational Achievement Award is an individual, organization, group, or institution of higher education that has made outstanding contributions to laser safety education. The recipient does not have to be a member of LIA, but sustained service to LIA can be one of the additional contributions considered. (Awarded at ILSC®).
Objective
To recognize outstanding contributions in laser safety education. Examples of fields of contribution include the following:
- Significant involvement in conventional training and educational courses
- Publications including books, journal articles, pamphlets
- Development of significant software
- Significant involvement in laser safety–related conferences
- Development of on-line training and educational courses
- Development of significant education web sites (traditional or non-traditional)
Eligibility
Nominations are open to candidates who make outstanding contributions to laser safety education. Candidates may be individuals, organizations, groups, and institutions of higher education. Candidates do not have to be a member of the LIA, but sustained service to the LIA can be one of the additional contributions that is considered. Nominations are active for two years. Self nomination is not allowed.
Previous R. James Rockwell, Jr. Educational Achievement Award Recipients
- 2005 – R. James Rockwell, Jr. *
- 2007 – Darrell Seeley*
- 2009 – Ken Barat
- 2011 – Vangie Dennis
- 2013 – Roy Henderson
- 2015 – Karl Schulmeister
- 2017 – John O’Hagan
- 2019 – Jamie King
*Deceased
LIA's ALSE award was created to recognize organizations and their laser safety program managers, for devoting significant time and resources in the education of personnel in the area of laser safety (awarded at ILSC®).
Objective
LIA's ALSE award was created to recognize organizations and their laser safety program managers, for devoting significant time and resources in the education of personnel in the area of laser safety.
Being a recipient of LIA's ALSE award signifies that your company demonstrates achievement in the following areas:
- A dedicated laser safety program
- A trained Laser Safety Officer
- An ongoing commitment to laser safety education
Previous ALSE Award Winners
- Automotive – Tesla
- Aerospace – Boeing
- Defense – U.S. Air Force
- Healthcare Services – Mount Sinai
- Medical Devices – ConMed Corporation
- Life Sciences – FDA
- R&D – Sandia National Laboratories
- Academic & Public Sector – Loughborough University
- Microelectronics – Qualcomm
- Specialized Manufacturing & Services - FARO
The prestigious David H. Sliney Award recognizes organizations for laser safety excellence (awarded at ILSC®).
Objective
The prestigious David H. Sliney Award recognizes organizations for laser safety excellence and will be presented at ILSC. Only ALSE award recipients are eligible for this distinguished honor.