Director appointed to science and technology partnership
A leading figure in the photonics sector has been named Director of a venture designed to realise the industry's vast commercial opportunities.
Iain Ross has been appointed to the post at SU2P, a £2.4 million initiative between universities in Scotland and California which is enhancing the economic impact of their research in photonics and related technologies.
Key themes of the three-year project include: industrial collaboration and knowledge exchange; entrepreneurial fellowships for outstanding young researchers; turning research into commercial opportunity; development of an investor network for photonics technology and problem-solving work with industry.
Photonics, the technology of generating and harnessing light, has applications in life sciences, renewable energy, communications technology, everyday consumer electronics and semiconductors.
The partnership involves the Universities of Strathclyde, St Andrews, Glasgow and Heriot-Watt, Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology. It is funded by Research Councils UK- as part of its Science Bridges awards- Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council.
Mr Ross has more than 30 years' experience in the photonics sector, in senior industry posts, start-ups, and with research pooling initiatives, knowledge exchange and commercialisation. He has worked closely with industrial and academic partners throughout his career.
He said: "I am delighted to take up this exciting post, based at the Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde. I look forward to working with the photonics industry and the university partners both here and in the USA – to deepen the links between them and to deliver on the significant pool of latent opportunities for successful commercialisation."
Allister Ferguson, Deputy Principal of the University of Strathclyde with responsibility for research and knowledge exchange, said: "There is a history of successful photonics collaboration between Scottish universities. This venture is enabling us to extend this to our partners in the USA and to cement the links with industry, as well as to enable us to deliver real value from our world-class research."
Coherent Scotland Ltd, M Squared Lasers, Optos plc, SELEX Galileo and Thales Optronics have been in close discussion with SU2P and have helped shape the programme.
David Clark, Product Management Director of Thales Optronics, said: "SUP2 is uniquely combining the collective world class capabilities of leading Scottish Universities with those of internationally accomplished institutions in California.
"The common objective of creating real value by bridging the gap between academic and industry, utilising both new and proven processes, represents an extremely attractive opportunity for Thales to be involved consistently with Thales high technology plans. We look forward to a bright future through strategic partnership."
Dave Wilson, Engineering Director of SELEX Galileo, based in Edinburgh, said: "We are delighted to see the appointment of Iain Ross as Director of SU2P, reflecting the long history of lasers in Scotland, back to Ferranti, and we plan to work closely with Scottish and Californian academics to reinforce our world leading laser business."
David Cross, project manager with Scottish Enterprise, said: "We are delighted that the SU2P programme will be led by a Director who combines such a strong industry background with a record of success in working with academia and is well-known and respected within the community."
The venture's first three enterpreneurial fellows are currently learning their new skills at Stanford University.
The announcement of Mr Ross' appointment comes as SU2P hosts its first annual symposium, at Strathclyde today and tomorrow (22-23 March). The event will include presentation sessions on the programme's main research themes, exploration of emerging commercial opportunities in photonics and discussion of innovation in the sector.
Speakers will include: Dr Tom Baer. Executive Director of the Stanford Photonics Research Centre; Professor Wilson Sibbett of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of St. Andrews; Alastair Wilson, Director of the Photonics and Plastic Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network in the UK; Professor Colin Cunningham, Director of the UK Extremely Large Telescopes Programme, and Nelson Gray, Chartered Accountant and business angel investor.