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The depth of UCF’s research expertise is on full display in a recent compilation of the world’s top scholars — including 20 from CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics.

The list in the journal PLOS Biology used a composite indicator, based on six citation metrics, to rank the top 2% scientists from a variety of disciplines and subdisciplines.  Fourteen of the current 33 faculty members of CREOL are in the top list — in Optics, Optoelectronics & Photonics or Applied Physics subdisciplines.  Professor Demetrios Christodoulides, Ph.D., is ranked among the top 0.05% in Optics (26 out of 56,325).  Also notable is Professor Shin Tson Wu, Ph.D., who is ranked at 115 in Applied Physics (among 224,856 researchers).  In addition, the list includes six professors with emeritus or past affiliation with the College.    Overall, more than 100 University of Central Florida researchers are in the top 2%, according to the study.

“Innovation and creative thinking are critical components of how we approach our research at CREOL,” said Interim Dean David Hagan, Ph.D. “This list is a testament to the dedication of our faculty to advancing our understanding of the world and to teaching students to do likewise.”

CREOL-affiliated faculty account among those included in the list are:

Optics (out of 56,325 researchers)

  • Christodoulides, Demetrios N. 26
  • Stegeman, G. I.A. 77
  • Chang, Zenghu 168
  • Moharam, M. G. Jim 183
  • Vodopyanov, Konstantin L. 177
  • Van Stryland, Eric W. 286
  • Saleh, Bahaa E.A. 306
  • Glebov, Leonid 404
  • Fathpour, Sasan 747
  • Dogariu, Aristide 945
  • Abouraddy, Ayman F. 1108

Optoelectronics & Photonics (out of 99,488 researchers)

  • Andrews, Larry 177
  • Deppe, Dennis G. 202
  • Li, Guifang 244
  • Bass, Michael 601
  • Richardson, Martin C. 725
  • Phillips, Ronald L. 1047
  • Delfyett, P. J. 1729

Applied Physics (out of 224,856 researchers)

  • Wu, Shin Tson 115
  • Kik, Pieter G. 4814