Professor Ventsislav K. Valev from the Department of Physics has been elected Fellow of Optica. The award recognises distinguished contributions to the advancement of optics and photonics.

Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide (formerly known as OSA – The Optical Society), is a society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field.

Founded in 1916, it is a leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Fellows are nominated by their peers and selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to business, education, research, engineering, and service to Optica and the community. Optica’s global membership exceeds 24,000 worldwide.

Ventsislav Valev is the Head of Department for Physics and a Research Fellow of the Royal Society. His work focuses on the interactions between powerful laser light and nanostructured materials.

His main expertise is in building laser experiments for studying novel materials, and he specialises in the physics of photons, electrons and magnetism confined to tiny volumes of space – nanoparticles or 2D sheets. His team’s investigations are both fundamental and applied, with potential benefits for the pharmaceutical, food, perfume, and agrochemical industries.

I am delighted to see that Ventsi has been nominated as a Fellow of Optica. This award is by nomination and election by his peers and shows the strength of Ventsi’s contribution in his nanophotonics research. This is great recognition and I am really pleased for Ventsi and for the Department of Physics at Bath. - Professor Sarah Hainsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Professor Duncan Craig, Dean of the Faculty of Science added: 'It is my great pleasure to congratulate Ventsi on his election as an Optica Fellow. This prestigious recognition reflects his outstanding contribution to the field of photonics and is a well-deserved acknowledgement of his many scientific achievements. This is also a great accolade for the Department of Physics at the University of Bath, which he leads so effectively.'

Yann Amouroux, Optica Director, Europe went on to say: 'Fellows are a vital part of our community, and we greatly appreciate all of their contributions. We commend Prof Valev for his pioneering work in the field of nanophotonics, as he joins a prestigious group of Optica Fellows, including colleagues at the University of Bath, Professor Tim Birks, Professor Jonathan Knight, and Professor Dmitry Skryabin.'