LPL FACULTY
Web & Graphic Designer
Camila Granados is a UCF graduate and graphic and web designer supporting the Laser Plasma Laboratory and Center for Directed Energy. She develops visual communications, digital materials, and web experiences across both organizations, including the design and development of the LPL website. With a background in film and visual storytelling, her work focuses on making complex research engaging, accessible, and visually cohesive.
Assistant Professor, Florida Institute of Technology
A leader in laser materials processing at UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics, his research focuses on advanced laser manufacturing, ultrafast laser-matter interactions, high-energy laser physics, and integrated photonics. With more than 20 years of research experience, he has authored over 50 scientific publications and coordinates the Fraunhofer-Townes Collaboration supporting U.S.-German research and academic exchange.
CREOL 122
Research Scientist
Kenneth L. Schepler is a Research Professor at CREOL and former research physicist with the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he served for more than 32 years. His research interests include solid-state laser physics, laser materials spectroscopy, and nonlinear frequency conversion. He is a Fellow of Optica and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
CREOL 134
407-823-6830
Emeritus Professor of Optics
William T. Silfvast is Professor Emeritus of Optics at UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics/CREOL. A pioneering researcher in lasers and optics, his work spans metal vapor lasers, laser plasmas, and EUV lithography. He is the author of Laser Fundamentals and was recognized as one of 27 “Laser Luminaries” for his significant contributions to the field.
Pegasus Professor, Northrop Grumman Prof of X-ray Photonics; Prof of Optics & Photonics
Martin Richardson is a UCF Trustee Chair and the founding director of the Townes Laser Institute. He co-founded the Laser Plasma Laboratory at CREOL in 1990, where his research has advanced ultrafast lasers, laser-produced plasmas, high-intensity laser filamentation, and laser-material interactions. A Fellow of Optica, he has authored more than 400 scientific publications and holds approximately 20 patents.
407-823-6819 (Office)
407-823-3570 (Fax)
CREOL 121
CREOL 135
Dr. Robert Bernath serves as Director of the Townes Institute Science Testing and Experimentation Facility (TISTEF) and as research faculty at UCF. He coordinates TISTEF operations and testing while co-managing a 25+ person research team focused on high-power laser development and applications. His research experience includes ultrafast laser filamentation, laser-produced plasmas, X-ray and EUV generation, advanced material processing, LIBS, and directed-energy technologies.
Optics Ph.D.
Materials Science Ph.D.
Andrew.Cooper@ucf.edu
Physics Ph.D.