2026 PSC Tingye Li Memorial Scholarship Announcement
Background
Dr. Tingye Li (July 7, 1931- December 27, 2012) was an outstanding Chinese American scientist in the field of microwaves, lasers, and optical communications. His innovative work at AT&T Bell Labs pioneered the research and application of lightwave communication and has had a far-reaching impact on information technology for over four decades. He was a member of National Academy of Engineering (1980), Chinese Academy of Engineering (1980), and Academia Sinica (1994). He was the recipient of numerals awards, including the IEEE Baker Prize (1975), IEEE David Sarnoff Award (1979), OSA/IEEE John Tyndall Award (1995), AT&T Science and Technology Medal (1997), IEEE Photonics Award (2004), IEEE Edison Medal (2009), OSA Frederic Ives Medal (1997), and last but not the least the PSC Achievement Award from the Photonics Society of Chinese-Americans (1998).
Dr. Li was not only a brilliant scientist in the field of optics and photonics, but also a great mentor who nurtured young scientists to grow. The Fox-Li theory on laser resonators, one of his pioneering contributions to the fields of optics and photonics made in the early 1960’s, continues to benefit the scientific community and the mankind at large today. Dr. Li was also a long-time supporter of PSC, a life-member of the society and a recipient of PSC Achievement Award. Just a few months before passing away, he gave an emotional and inspiring talk at PSC’s annual meeting in 2012 at Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) Conferences to share his precious experiences at Bell Labs and drew hundreds of PSC members to the meeting.
“Dr. Tingye Li was a luminary in the field of optical communications. Importantly, he dedicated his life to helping and guiding young professionals around the world achieve their goals including via his special relationship with PSC: my students always cherished interacting with him during PSC events and in turn Tingye was inspired by the excellent PSC students. He would have been extremely proud of the outstanding caliber and character of students honored in his name by this scholarship,” commented Dr. Alan Willner (past Optica/OSA president, member of National Academy of Engineering, and professor of University of Southern California), one of the many outstanding scientists who were significantly benefited from Dr. Tingye Li’s mentorship at Bell Labs.
Purpose
The purpose of this scholarship is 1) to honor Dr. Tingye Li for his exceptional contributions in the field of photonics, his generous mentoring of young scientists, and his outstanding service to the photonics community; 2) to recognize outstanding graduate students in the fields of optics and photonics, including optical communications, optical sensors, and integrated photonics; 3) to follow Dr. Li’s example to give back to the photonics/scientific community by nurturing young scientists and supporting their future success.
Summary of the Scholarship
Up to two (2) winners will be awarded a certificate with an achievement citation and a check of $3,500. In addition, the top ten (10) finalists with their nominating professors and schools will also be publicized and honored. The winner(s) will be announced at the PSC Annual Meeting in OFC 2026.
Who is Eligible:
Any graduate student in any university and college in the field of optics and photonics (including but not restricted to optical communications, optical sensors, and integrated photonics) is eligible to be nominated by their professors. This also includes students who have graduated within six months of application/nomination. PSC committee members will also extend personal invitations to distinguished professors known to us for their outstanding contributions and leadership in the field. The deadline for nominations and applications is January 26, 2026.
Evaluation Criteria:
Review of applications will be based on the review committee’s scores for academic achievements (70%) and community services (30%). The following criteria will be used: 1) outstanding academic achievements measured by their impact documented by technical publications or conference presentations in reputable journals or conferences, 2) willingness to serve the scientific community evidenced by past activities, 3) strong recommendations on both achievement and service from the advisor.
Evaluation Process:
A PSC Review Committee oversees the annual process. Funds for the scholarship are taken from PSC general dues contributions from industry members as acknowledged on the website. The review committee of nine members is chaired by Mr. Kevin Zhang for year 2026. Other review members include PSC current and past PSC presidents, Dr. Steve Yao, Dr. Andy Sun, and Mr. Marcus Yang as its internal members. Five external members of leading experts will be invited to join the review committee to evaluate the applications.
Guidance for applicants:
- The applicants need to be current graduate students or newly graduated within 6 months of his/her application.
- We mainly consider applicants’ publications/presentations/Patents where applicants are the first author or first co-author. If applicants would like us to consider his/her contribution to very influential work where applicants are not the first author, a special note of justification will help us to recognize applicants’ crucial contribution. The reviewers will evaluate the impact and significance of applicants’ research topics and achievements as well as the impact factors of the journals where applicants’ work are published.
- Community service must be voluntary efforts in organizing local chapters or activities that promote photonics education and collaboration among students or with other entities. Journal review contributions also count. TA/RA scholarships are considered part of applicants’ regular work as graduate students; therefore, they will contribute little to applicants’ score.
- PSC application form downloadable at PSC website must be filled as part of the application materials.
- Recommendation/nomination letter from applicants’ advisor must be signed and dated by the advisor.
- All applications must be submitted before the deadline, January 26, 2026, Pacific Time (UTC-08)
PSC (Photonics Society Chinese Heritage)
Nomination Process
The Photonics Society of Chinese Heritage
Nomination Form
(Attaching a brief resume to this form is recommended)
Return this nomination form, together with supporting information, no later than Jan. 16, 2022, to: Dr. Shifu Yuan at shifuyuan@yahoo.com.
2026 PSC Tingye Li Memorial Scholarship and Review Committee
Prof. John Bowers (UCSB)
Prof. Vincent W. S. Chan (MIT)
Prof. Lionel C Kimerling (MIT)
Prof. Alan E. Willner (USC)
Dr. Xiang Zhou (Google)
Mr. Kevin Zhang (PSC)
Dr. Steve Yao (PSC)
Dr. Andy Sun (PSC)
Mr. Marcus Yang (PSC)
