Scholarship

Dr. Tingye Li (July 7, 1931- December 27, 2012) was a Chinese American scientist in the field of microwaves, lasers and optical communications. His innovative work at AT&T Bell Labs pioneered the research and application of light wave communication, and has had a far-reaching impact on information technology for over four decades.

He was a member of National Academy of Engineering (1980), Chinese Academy of Engineering (1980), and Academia Since (1994). He was the recipients of numerals awards, including IEEE Baker Prize (1975), IEEE David Sarnoff Award (1979),

OSA/IEEE John Tyndall Award (1995), AT&T Science and Technology Medal (1997), IEEE Photonics Award (2004), IEEE Edison Medal (2009), OSA Frederic Ives Meda (1997), and the last but not the least the PSC Achievement Awards from the Photonics Society of Chinese-Americans (1998). Dr. Li was not only a brilliant scientist in the field of optics and photonics, but also a great mentor to nurture young scientists to grow.

Fox-Li theory on laser resonators is one of his pioneering contributions to the fields of optics and photonics in early 1960’s, and continues to benefit the scientific community and the mankind at large. Many outstanding scientists, such as Dr. Alan Willner (past OSA president, member of National Academy of Engineering, and professor of University of Southern California), were beneficiaries of his mentorship at Bell Labs.

Tingye was also a long-time supporter of PSC, a life-member of the society and a recipient of PSC Achievement Award. Just a few months before passing away, he gave an emotional and inspiring talk at PSC’s annual meeting in 2012 at Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) Conferences to share his precious experiences at Bell Labs and drew hundreds of PSC members to the meeting.