CREOL Assistant Professor Miguel A. Bandres Named 2025 ASEMFL Rising Star
Miguel A. Bandres joins 22 other honorees making an impact in science, engineering, and medicine in Florida
CREOL Assistant Professor Miguel A. Bandres has been named a 2025 Rising Star by the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL), one of just 22 scholars and professionals statewide, and one of two faculty members from UCF, selected for the honor.
Bandres’ research focuses on discovering new ways to control light and applying those discoveries to next-generation photonic systems, including lasers, waveguides, optical fibers, imaging systems, and optoelectronic devices. His work has helped make optical devices more robust, enabled new kinds of laser beams, and opened possibilities for faster data transmission and sharper imaging.
This year, a panel of engineers, medical professionals, and scientists reviewed nominations of 168 scholars and industry professionals from throughout the state. They were evaluated based on their contributions and impact to their respective fields. 22 finalists were selected, including Bandres, honored “for pioneering contributions to topological photonics, laser resonators, and structured light.”
“I’m honored by this recognition and grateful to my students and collaborators,” Bandres said. “We’re driven by curiosity about how to control light in new ways and by the promise that these discoveries can enable the next generation of optical technologies in Florida and beyond.”
From ASEMFL:
The Rising Stars program of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) recognizes early-career faculty at the Assistant Professor Level in academia or junior-to-mid-level professionals (less than 15 years in initial independent position) in industry, non-academia non-profit, or government, who work and/or live in Florida and whose innovation and scholarly achievements demonstrate exceptional promise in addressing critical scientific, engineering, and/or medical challenges.
“We are proud to recognize these Florida scholars for their early career innovations, accomplishments, and significant impacts in sciences, engineering and medicine,” said Hortensia Amaro (NAM), ASEMFL President. “We look forward to hearing them speak at the ASEMFL annual meeting, which offers valuable networking opportunities between Rising Stars and members of ASEMFL and the National Academies.”
“The competition was intense, and we are delighted to see so many outstanding nominees from Florida in this program. We only wish we could have selected all to present,” said Norma Alcantar (USF), co-chair of the Rising Stars Program.
