UC Santa Barbara electrical and computer engineering professor Galan Moody has been elected a Fellow of Optica, an international society dedicated to advancing the science and applications of light. He was honored “for seminal contributions to integrated quantum photonics and the translation of quantum photonic technologies from fundamental science to commercialization.”
Moody is among 116 researchers and engineers from 23 countries elected to Optica’s 2027 Fellows class. The distinction recognizes outstanding contributions to optics and photonics and is limited to no more than 10 percent of the society’s membership.
Moody’s research explores how the quantum properties of light can be harnessed and controlled on semiconductor chips. His team develops integrated photonic devices that generate, manipulate, and detect photons. By combining these capabilities on a single chip, his research group aims to overcome technical barriers that have limited the development of practical and scalable quantum technologies.
Since joining UCSB, Moody has received numerous honors, including a National Science Foundation Early CAREER Award, an Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award, and an American Chemical Society Rising Star in Photonics award. He has also been named the College of Engineering Outstanding Faculty member in Electrical Engineering by graduating seniors, and he was selected for the 2026 Photonics100, which recognizes influential innovators advancing the field of photonics.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be elected an Optica Fellow. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible students, postdocs, collaborators, and mentors who’ve shaped my career, and this recognition reflects their hard work and contributions as much as my own,” said Moody. “One of the most exciting parts of what we do at UCSB is seeing ideas in quantum photonics grow from experiments in the lab into technologies with potential applications in computing, communication, and sensing.”
Umesh Mishra, dean of The Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering, praised Moody’s scientific leadership.
“Galan is an exceptional scientist whose creativity, ambition, and commitment to collaboration embody the spirit of UCSB Engineering,” said Mishra. “The recognition by Optica reflects not only the importance of his discoveries, but also his ability to turn bold scientific ideas into technologies that could shape the future of quantum communications. We congratulate him on this well-earned honor.”
Founded in 1916, Optica is a leading international organization for scientists, engineers, and industry professionals working in optics and photonics. The newly elected Fellows will be honored at Optica conferences and events throughout 2027.
