ECE Professor Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Top Optics Journal

by A.J. Kleber

At its heart, any scientific or academic field is built on a network of peers and colleagues, sharing and reviewing results and building on one another’s work, creating innovative experimental and theoretical approaches that could never be born from a singular perspective. And of course, academic journals serve as one of the primary conduits for this deeply collaborative process worldwide, creating the complex web of publication and citation upon which the scientific endeavor is built. This makes the work of shaping and maintaining these journals an essential service, both to the community and to the field itself.

Distinguished Professor of Engineering Siddharth Ramachandran is about to take on one such vital role, as the Editor-in-Chief of Optics Express, beginning in January 2025.

A prominent role in his field

Optics Express, established in 1997, is one of the premiere peer-reviewed scientific journals in the field of optics and photonics, released biweekly by the publishing arm of Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America). The role of Editor-in-Chief carries significant responsibility, including the management of an editorial board comprising 10 Deputy eEditors and 110 Associate Editors, and a seat on the parent Optica Publishing Group Board of Editors. Fortunately, Professor Ramachandran is well-prepared to take on the challenge, with upwards of sixteen years of editorial experience in academic journals, and a solid history of other leadership roles within his field, including Chairships at major conferences.

While Optics Express is already a leading journal, Professor Ramachandran has plenty of ideas to uphold that track record and make improvements at various levels, from small day-to-day processes to a much higher-level vision for the publication’s ongoing success. A dedicated and meticulous researcher, it’s no surprise that he plans to apply his exacting eye for detail to his new appointment, whether by tweaking the review process to encourage efficiency, or broadening the journal’s submission pool to incorporate more industry-based work, as well as academic. Above all, however, his primary goal is to maintain the journal’s key role in pushing the field of optics and photonics to new heights and supporting the researchers who drive that progression. 

An honor to serve

“To be invited to lead the first electronic journal of Optica, founded by Prof. Eberly, a stalwart in our field, is a true honor,” stated Professor Ramachandran. “I hope to continue its stewardship with respect to maintaining its high standards, as well as its status as the journal of record for both academia and industry.”

Siddharth Ramachandran is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering and member of the BU ECE, MSE and Physics faculty, as well as the College of Engineering’s Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development ad interim. His research interests include nonlinear, ultrafast and quantum photonics, the fundamentals of light-matter interactions, fibers and guided-wave devices, and quite a bit more. He is a Fellow of AAAS, IEEE, APS, Optica and SPIE, and was named a 2019 Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellow by the Department of Defense; the agency’s most prestigious award given to an individual researcher.