Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast
Welcome to Laser Focus World’s Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast. Here, we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of photonics and optics. With a legacy dating back to 1965, Laser Focus World has been a trusted source for comprehensive global coverage of technologies, applications, and markets in these dynamic fields. Following the Photons is an extension of that legacy. This podcast — hosted by Justine Murphy, an editor with Laser Focus World and multimedia director of Endeavor Business Media’s Digital Infrastructure group — features interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in photonics, this podcast is your go-to resource for staying informed and inspired. Tune in and stay laser-focused on the future of light-based technologies.
Episodes
This episode features a fun, thought-provoking chat with Debbie Gustafson, CEO and board member of high-tech photonics equipment company Energetiq Technology. With more than two decades of experience in the industry, she's a powerhouse who has helped open doors for fellow women in STEM through mentorships and other support.
This episode features Siddharth Ramachandran, a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Boston University. He started his career in industrial research at Bell Labs, and his work with light wave devices has helped advance optical networks, laser-based defense systems, brain imaging, and quantum computing.
Here, he talks with host Justine Murphy about his experiences in the industry, from research to academia and beyond.
Join host Justine Murphy for a closer look into the research and education realm with Jana Jágerská, a professor, a researcher, and group and lab leader at the Arctic University of Norway, where she focuses in nanophotonics and laser spectroscopy for the detection of trace gases and pollutants.
In this chat, she shares some of the really interesting perspectives she’s gained from her years as a researcher, educator, and mentor.
In this episode, host Justine Murphy chats with Tyler Simays, marketing manager at KrellTech, where he works to drive growth and innovation, and has helped spearhead the company's Photonics Outreach Program that introduces high school students to the cutting-edge world of photonics. Tyler brings a global perspective and years of experience to his work bridging the realms of technology and business, and is dedicated to inspiring the...
This episode features Brad Booth, CEO of NLM Photonics. He came to NLM with years of experience working on Meta platforms and Microsoft Azure, and has held roles at Dell, Intel, and Bell-Northern Research.
In this episode, host Justine Murphy talks with Atikem Haile, vice president of marketing and business development at Lightwave Logic.
They cover his 20+ years of experience that spans a unique range of technology, finance, and business., as well as his perspectives on a number of issues impacting the industry.
In this episode, host Justine Murphy talks with Cicely Rathmell, vice president of marketing at Wasatch Photonics.
Their chat covers everything from Cicely's expertise in science and her experiences in the photonics industry to her thoughts on the future.
Here is another installment of our interview series presented by EPIC, the European Photonics Industry Consortium. This episode features EPIC's Antonio Castelo talking with Alexander Weigl, head of Product Management at TRUMPF Photonic Components, and iThera Medical’s CTO Patrick Leisching.
Their discussion focuses on a recent collaboration on a solution for optoacoustic imaging: a VCSEL-based subsystem that can replace current pho...
Here if the latest roundup of some of the most interesting and exciting news impacting the photonics industry!
Here is another fun chat Host Justine Murphy had during Photonics West in January. This one is with Daniel Shaddock, CEO and co-founder of Liquid Instruments, a developer of reconfigurable test and measurement solutions for scientists and engineers.
Before founding this startup a decade ago, he was a professor at the Australian National University and a Directors Fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. He's a physicist, an engineer, a...
This episode features Dr. Olivia Wheeler-Williams, coatings development manager at Edmund Optics, who has been named a 2025 Optica Ambassador, a position that allows her to help strengthen ties between academia and industry.
Olivia met up with host Justine Murphy during Photonics West back in early February, where they talked about things like her work at Edmund, being a mentor, and the importance of diversity in optics.
This episode features Todd Haugen, CEO of Enablence. He has more than 30 years of experience in the industry … including a two-decade-stint at Microsoft, where he led several large-scale engineering projects.
In our chat, we talked about many things impacting the industry, including the growing relationship between AI and optics, thoughts on the CHIPS Act, and what motivates his dedication.
This episode features Dr. Andrea Armani, senior director of engineering and physical sciences at the Ellison Medical Institute and longtime professor at the University of Southern California. Host Justine Murphy sat down with her in San Francisco last month, as they prepared for Photonics West.
The pair talked about Dr. Armani's career venture with the Ellison Medical Institute, her love of teaching and mentoring engineering stude...
This episode features the renowned Dr. Michael Lebby, a photonics and optics industry veteran whose decades-long career spans all levels of research and development, technology startups, sales, finance, marketing… and everything in between.
In this episode of Following the Photons, our host Justine Murphy talks with Mateja Lampe Rupnik, CEO of Red Pitaya and advisory CFO to its parent company, Instrumentation Technologies.
She has many years of experience in tech industries, and offers the unique perspectives she’s gained since joining the photonics realm, including on the growing and evolving roles of women in STEM.
The latest roundup of some of the most interesting and exciting news impacting the photonics industry!
This episode kicks off a new monthly interview series presented by EPIC, the European Photonics Industry Consortium, that will showcase the people and companies enriching and advancing the photonics industry.
In this edition, EPIC’s Dr. Ivan Nikitski talks with Pim Kat, CEO of Amazec Photonics, and Eelko Brinkhoff, the incoming CEO of PhotonDelta.
In this episode, Justine Murphy talks with Hagen Zimer, CEO of Laser Technology at Trumpf. He's got many years of experience in the laser industry, and a clear and true passion for all things photonics.
This episode features Dr. Nikhil Balram, CEO of Mojo Vision. He has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, and more than 30 years of experience in the semiconductor and display industries. He’s also received several awards, including a Gold Stevie Award for Executive of the Year in the electronics category and the Otto Schade Prize from the Society for Information Display.
In this episode, we talk with Andres Chavarria, the technical director of LUNA Innovations. He’s the former technical director at OptaSense, and has more than 20 years of experience in the field. He now focuses on fiber optic sensing tools for a variety of applications and industries, from smart infrastructure and telecommunications to energy, earth, and engineering systems.
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