Steven DenBaars, the UC Santa Barbara Mitsubishi Distinguished Professor, the director of the Institute for Energy Efficiency (IEE) at UCSB, and an internationally known leader in developing gallium nitride power electronics, has been selected to receive two prestigious awards for 2026. Both are named for the late Nick Holonyak, Jr. (1928-2022), who achieved fame for demonstrating, in 1962, the first semiconductor laser diode to emit visible light.

DenBaars, who has appointments in both the Materials Department and the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department at UCSB, will receive one Holonyak Award from Optica in April, and the other  from IEEE, also in April. 

"It is an honor to receive two awards bearing the name of Nick Holonyak, Jr., whose groundbreaking demonstration of the first visible semiconductor laser paved the way for modern solid‑state lighting and optoelectronics,” DenBaars said. “Recognition from both Optica and IEEE reflects the exceptional work of the students, colleagues, and collaborators at UC Santa Barbara who have helped advance gallium nitride technology from fundamental research to a global industry that enhances energy efficiency and communication worldwide. This acknowledgment underscores UCSB’s long‑standing commitment to connecting foundational materials science with scalable technologies that deliver real-world impact."

“Professor DenBaars has been foundational to developing the world-renowned MOCVD laboratory at UCSB, with its tremendous impact on LEDs and lasers, for which he has received the Holonyak Medals from the IEEE and Optica. He has also opened the lab to other faculty members and their students to conduct research in all applications of electronics and photonics. I have personally benefitted immensely from his collaborative style and his energy. He fully deserves these awards, which also brings the College much honor and joy.”

Optica honored DenBaars for what it described as his “pioneering contributions to high-efficiency GaN LEDs and laser diodes.”

DenBaars has long been a leader in the field and is a pioneer in compound semiconductor optoelectronic materials and devices. In his research, he has addressed key challenges in crystal growth, defect reduction, and device architecture, leading to major improvements in the efficiency, brightness, and reliability of LEDs and laser diodes. Those advances underpin today’s solid-state lighting, high-resolution LED and laser displays, ultraviolet light sources, and emerging optical communication systems.

DenBaars played a central role in establishing gallium nitride (GaN) as a viable and scalable industrial technology, delivering substantial economic and environmental benefits. His contributions enabled the widespread adoption of high-efficiency LED lighting across general illumination, automotive lighting, and display applications, accelerating the transition from energy-intensive legacy lighting to sustainable solid-state solutions while advancing fundamental understanding of GaN materials and device physics.

Together with COE dean, Umesh Mishra, Nobel Laureate Shuji Nakamura, and fellow materials professor James Speck, DenBaars co-founded the Solid State Lighting and Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC) at UCSB, which Optica described as  the world’s leading academic center for solid-state lighting and gallium nitride research.”

IEE announced in December that DenBaars would receive the Nick Holonyak, Jr. Medal for Semiconductor Optoelectronic Technologies, one of twenty-plus high honors given by IEEE for 2026. The award will be presented in April at the  Honor Ceremony in New York.

“These global honors recognize individuals whose transformative innovations, scientific breakthroughs, and creative leadership are propelling technology forward for the benefit of humanity,” says an IEEE release, adding that DenBaars was recognized for his “seminal contributions to compound semiconductor optoelectronics, including high-efficiency visible light-emitting diodes, lasers, and LED displays.

The awards, said 2025 IEEE president and CEO, Kathleen Kramer, recognize scientists who have “not only fundamentally advanced technology, but also improved the human condition…The honorees exemplify the ingenuity, scientific excellence, and global impact that define our organization and inspire the next generation.”

DenBaars received his BS in materials and metallurgical engineering from the University of Arizona, and earned his MS and PhD in engineering from the University of Southern California. He has played a pivotal role in advancing academic–industry collaborations, which have helped to shape modern semiconductor innovation. He is a Fellow of Optica, IEEE, and the National Academy of Inventors.