CREOL Professor Axel Schülzgen Retires After Advancing Fiber Optics Research and Education
Schülzgen’s career at UCF has included influential fiber optics research, the mentorship of emerging scientists and engineers, and innovations with real-world applications.
After 17 years of research, teaching and mentorship at the University of Central Florida, CREOL Professor Axel Schülzgen has retired from the College of Optics and Photonics.
Schülzgen joined CREOL in 2009 and built an internationally recognized career advancing optical fiber technologies. His research has spanned fiber fabrication, nanostructured fibers, nonlinear optical materials, fiber lasers and fiber-based sensing, with applications ranging from optical communications and imaging to advanced laser systems.
Throughout his career, Schülzgen authored or co-authored more than 160 peer-reviewed journal publications and delivered more than 70 presentations at international conferences. His research has also contributed to more than 10 patents and patent applications and has attracted millions of dollars in external support from government agencies and industry.
Before joining UCF, Schülzgen earned his doctorate in experimental physics from Humboldt University of Berlin in Germany. He later developed an extensive research career at the University of Arizona’s College of Optical Sciences, where he has also held an adjunct research professor appointment since joining UCF.
His contributions to the field earned him recognition from leading professional organizations. Schülzgen is a Fellow of Optica, formerly the Optical Society of America, and SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. His earlier honors include the Carl Ramsauer Award from AEG Corporation, the Heinrich Gustav Magnus Award from Humboldt University of Berlin and a habilitation grant from the German Research Foundation.
At UCF, Schülzgen was recognized for excellence in research, innovation and teaching. His honors include CREOL’s Excellence in Research Award, a UCF Research Incentive Award and a UCF Teaching Incentive Program Award. He also received CREOL Excellence in Graduate Teaching Awards in 2017 and 2021, reflecting an important part of his legacy: the students and researchers he guided.
Under his supervision, nine doctoral students and seven master’s students successfully completed their degrees. His Laser Engineering course also served several generations of CREOL graduate students.
“Axel was a great PhD advisor. He was knowledgeable, but not intimidating, and he provided guidance without being overbearing,” said former student Amy Van Newkirk, now an Associate Research Professor at Penn State. “The main lesson that I took away from working under Axel is that you don’t need to create a stressful environment in order to produce good work. He created a group that was open, supporting, and never competitive, and this environment led to productive students and interesting research. Axel’s support was a substantial contribution to the successful completion of my PhD, and he made my time at CREOL very fulfilling.”
In addition to teaching, Schülzgen led a research group focused on developing new fiber materials, structures and devices. Students and researchers in the group gained experience in fiber design and fabrication, experimental testing, communications, sensing, imaging and high-power laser applications.
Clemence Jollivet, now Senior Director at Coherent Corporation, joined Axel’s research group in 2010 to pursue her Ph.D. in Specialty Fibers.
“Throughout my studies, Axel was an exceptional mentor who helped me develop critical thinking skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making,” said Jollivet, “I particularly remember our Monday morning group meetings, where each student shared project updates, exchanged ideas with peers, and received thoughtful guidance from Axel. This consistent practice created an environment that empowered us to make decisions independently while knowing we had his full support. It prepared me remarkably well for a successful career in industry.”
Jollivet also remembers how welcoming Schülzgen was. “One of my fondest memories is the annual holiday dinners at Axel and Christine’s home,” Jollivet recalls. “These gatherings brought the group together and reflected the warmth, generosity, and sense of community that Axel fostered among his students. If there is one quality that truly sets Axel apart, it is how deeply he cares about the success and well-being of every student he mentors.”
Through his scholarship, patented innovations and mentorship, Schülzgen’s influence will continue in the technologies he helped develop and in the students and colleagues carrying that work forward.