Press Releases

It is with great pleasure that the Wyant College of Optical Sciences announces that three Endowed Chairs in Optical Sciences have been awarded. The establishment of these endowed chairs has been made possible through the generous donations made by Optica and the Thomas R. Brown Family Foundation, and the $20+ million matching pledge made by the late founding dean of the college, Emeritus Professor James C. Wyant, and his family.

The University of Arizona has appointed Dr. Brian P. Anderson as Interim Dean of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, effective July 1, 2025. A faculty member since 2001 and Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs since 2019, Dr. Anderson is a renowned expert in Bose-Einstein condensates and quantum optics. He brings over two decades of research, teaching, and leadership experience to the role and is committed to advancing the College’s mission in research, education, and innovation.

Wyant College of Optical Sciences, in collaboration with Nanoscribe, invites students worldwide to participate in the Optical Design Competition for 3D Printed Optical Systems. Open to individuals or teams of up to three, this competition challenges participants to create innovative designs using two-photon polymerization (2PP) printing technology. Winners will receive cash prizes, have their designs fabricated, and contribute to advancing optical research. Submissions are due May 1, 2025, with winners announced September 15, 2025.

The University of Arizona Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement office has announced Dr. Joseph A. Shaw as the 2025 Alumnus of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. The Alumni of the Year luncheon will be hosted by the University on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

Thomas L. Koch’s term as dean of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences has been defined by 13 years of tremendous growth amidst the continuing explosion of applications and demand for new optics and photonics technologies. Provost Ron Marx said, “Dean Koch has led the Wyant College of Optical Sciences with outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication. He has been a champion of one of our unique strengths in science and engineering here at the University of Arizona. We are deeply grateful for his service.”

It is with great pleasure that the Wyant College of Optical Sciences announces that two Endowed Chairs in Optical Sciences have been awarded. The establishment of these endowed chairs has been made possible through the generous donations made by Optica and the Thomas R. Brown Family Foundation, and the $20+ million matching pledge made by the late founding dean of the college, Emeritus Professor James C. Wyant, and his family.

The University of Arizona James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences announced a $2 million donation from Murray and Kamie Sargent to establish the Murray Sargent III Endowed Chair in Quantum Optics.  This endowment will provide support to a faculty member specializing in the increasingly impactful field of quantum optics. 

Longtime Arizona academic leader and business owner, James C. Wyant, founding dean and namesake of the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, passed away Friday, Dec. 8, in Tucson, after a valiant battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was 80 years old.

In recognition of the profound impact of his academic and business leadership; scientific and engineering advances; and generous philanthropic contributions to higher education, the University of Arizona awarded Dr. James C. Wyant with an Honorary Doctorate in Optical Sciences. Wyant was among the six distinguished business and community leaders and humanitarians to receive this distinction from the University at the spring commencement ceremony on Friday May 12, 2023.  

Announced by the college last week, Bahram Jalali, PhD; a pioneer of silicon photonics and a prolific inventor of record-setting imaging and sensing technologies and algorithms, has established an endowed chair in his name at the University of Arizona James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences. Bahram wishes for his endowed chair to support faculty whose innovations and discoveries will further the global impact of optical technologies.