Two distinguished scientists from the University’s Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society for their outstanding contributions to science. Professor David Richardson and Professor Nikolay Zheludev are amongst 50 new Fellows announced yesterday (9 May).
This is first time in the history of Southampton that two academics have been elected to the Fellowship from the same University department, in the same year.
Professor Richardson, Deputy Director of the ORC, is a pioneer in the field of photonics, best known for his work on fibre optics and its applications. He has played a leading role in developing the data-carrying capacity of future optical communication networks to keep up with society’s insatiable demand for ever increasing internet bandwidth.
Professor Zheludev, Deputy Director of the ORC, and Co-Director of The Photonics Institute at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore is one of the founding members of the closely interlinked fields of metamaterials and nanophotonics that emerged at the crossroads of optics and nanotechnology in the early 21st century.
Professor Sir David Payne, Director of the ORC, and Royal Society Fellow, said:
“I would like to congratulate David and Nikolay on their election to this most prestigious Fellowship. It is unprecedented to have two Fellows elected from the same University of Southampton department in the same election cycle. I am delighted to receive this news in recognition of the extensive role that they have played in advancing the field of photonics research and enabling new light-based technologies.”
New Fellows will be formally admitted at an Admissions Day ceremony in July when they sign the Charter Book and the obligation of the Fellows of the Royal Society.
