Stanford Photonics Research Center Hires Executive Director
Stanford University announced that Dr. Thomas M. Baer has assumed the position of Executive Director of the Stanford Photonics Research Center (SPRC). The SPRC provides a central focus for the extensive photonics research and applications activities at Stanford University, and an interface to the many commercial entities interested in photonics technology developed at Stanford. Dr. Baer, an experienced entrepreneur and pioneer in the areas of biotechnology, quantum electronics, and laser applications, brings a fresh and bold vision to SPRC.
"We are very pleased that Dr. Baer has agreed to join us," said Dr. David Miller, SPRC co-Director and Stanford Professor of Electrical Engineering. "We have been looking for just the right person to expand our constituency base both internally at Stanford and externally in the photonics industry, as well as the many associated industries that employ photonics as an essential element in their product offerings."
"I am greatly excited about working closely with the Stanford research community, the industrial affiliates, and the graduate and undergraduate students at the University", Dr. Baer commented. "Stanford University has a distinguished history of developing critical laser and optical inventions which have formed the core technologies of a number of new companies, and have provided tremendous licensing opportunities to dozens of commercial companies. I look forward to working closely with my associates at SPRC to provide a central focus for developing new photonics technologies and investigating novel applications at Stanford."
Previously, Dr. Baer was CEO, chairman, and founder of Arcturus Bioscience, a biotechnology company that he established in 1996. Arcturus Bioscience develops and manufactures laser microdissection instrumentation and integrated bioreagent systems, which allow precise genetic analysis of tissue samples. Arcturus products are currently are being integrated into a new generation of revolutionary cancer diagnostic tests. Dr. Baer's experience also includes positions as VP of Research at Biometric Imaging, and VP of Research and Senior Research Fellow at Spectra-Physics, Inc. An accomplished scientist and inventor, Dr. Baer is named as an inventor on over 50 US patents and is an author on over 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Dr. Baer received his BA degree in Physics, Magna Cum Laude, from Lawrence University and received his MS and Ph.D. degrees in Atomic Physics from the University of Chicago. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School, and in 1994 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Lawrence University. He has been elected to the status of Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and The Optical Society of America.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Baer on board and anticipate expansion of the SPRC into a number of new areas, including Biotechnology and Medicine, under his leadership" stated SPRC co-Director, Professor of Applied Physics, and Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory Director Robert L. Byer.
The Stanford Photonics Research Center builds strategic partnerships between the Stanford University photonics research community and photonics industry companies. Affiliates gain access to Stanford faculty, students and researchers by participating in SPRC events, collaborating on research projects, mentoring students, and visiting research labs. Affiliate benefits also include prompt alerting for Stanford photonics invention disclosures, and focused recruitment events. SPRC promotes and coordinates member company recruitment of Stanford students by facilitating direct interaction between students and affiliates. In turn, Stanford students develop relationships with scientific experts and business leaders in the photonics industry that continue beyond their Stanford experience.
SOURCE: Stanford Photonics Research Center