Professor Roberto Morandotti of INRS receives prestigious Steacie fellowship

Professor Roberto Morandotti, a recognized leader in the field of ultrafast optical communications at the Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications research center at INRS, has been awarded the 2011 E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship, a prestigious honour conferred by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The purpose of the $250,000 fellowship is to advance the careers of highly talented young researchers whose innovative work has earned them significant international recognition.

"Professor Roberto Morandotti is a creative and prolific researcher whose expertise is widely sought after both internationally and here at home. Since joining INRS in 2003, he has made his mark with cutting edge work that is helping to revolutionize the telecommunications field and contribute to innovative solutions for the industry," explained INRS director general Daniel Coderre.

As a Steacie fellow, Professor Morandotti will pursue his research on improving telecommunication system performance by developing technology to enhance data transmission security. "This highly sought-after fellowship will enable Professor Morandotti to devote himself entirely to his research which aims to facilitate the shift from electronics to optics in response to the growing needs of Internet and cellphone network users. His work will build on previous research on the unique properties of a microring resonator and other integrated devices for high speed telecommunications systems", said Jean Claude Kieffer, director of the Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications research center.

"I am deeply honored by this award. The Steacie Fellowship will offer me an exceptional opportunity to intensify my research and contribute to the development of photonics and telecommunications, two fields of strategic importance for Canada's future," noted Professor Morandotti.

Provided by INRS