Optics

OSA Foundation receives donation from Milton Chang to broaden career opportunities for photonics professionals

Dec. 22, 2016

Entrepreneur Milton Chang and his wife Rosalind have donated $1 million to create a professional development program.

Entrepreneur Milton Chang and his wife Rosalind have donated $1 million to create a professional development program through the OSA Foundation. The goal will be to highlight the potential career opportunities for technical professionals outside of the traditional role of industry, government, or academic researcher.

“Scientists and engineers can have a profound impact on society. By bringing our expertise and passion to non-traditional fields, we elevate the importance of scientific skills as well as the impact discovery and innovation have on the greater good,” said Milton Chang, managing partner of Incubic. “When choosing a career path, one should think broadly about how the world works and how your technical expertise can make the greatest contribution.”

Chad Stark, OSA Foundation Executive Director remarked, "Many fields value science-based skills such as analytical rigor, data management and creative logical thinking. We are excited to offer a unique and focused professional development program. The OSA Foundation continues to benefit from Dr. Chang’s vision and support.”

Milton Chang is managing partner of Incubic Management, a business advisory firm. Prior to founding Incubic, Milton was president of Newport and New Focus, which he took public. The companies he has grown have resulted in six IPOs and eight acquisitions.

He is also a long-time contributing writer and commentator on business, entrepreneurship, and photonics for Laser Focus World. You can read his monthly column--Business Forum--each month or in these few selected columns:

Photonics: Technology, business, and everything else (September 2013)

Collaboration is key to success in biophotonics – an interview with David Walt (July 2014)

Silicon photonics startup finds path to success - an interview with John Bowers (October 2016)

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.