Photonics Promoter Award
The Photonics Promoter Award returns for its second year, with nominations now open.
Eight jury winners and one People’s Choice winner will be announced at the SuperHero League party during SPIE Photonics West on 3 February 2027.
The SuperHero League has opened nominations for the second Photonics Promoter Award. The award recognises people who share their knowledge and passion for photonics on social media, helping the work, people and breakthroughs behind the industry reach a wider audience. Photonics is full of brilliant people doing fascinating work. But that work doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves. This award recognises those who take the time to share their knowledge, tell the stories behind the science, and make photonics more accessible, no matter their job title.
The first edition, held in 2025, recognised five promoters chosen by the jury, from an R&D scientist at ZEISS to the founder of a small optics start-up. Stephen Fantone, founder and CEO of Optikos Corporation, won the People’s Choice vote. This year, the jury will select eight winners.
How to nominate
Nominations are open through the form at superheroleague.org. You’ll need the nominee’s name, a link to their LinkedIn profile and a few lines explaining why they deserve the recognition. Nominations close on 15 January 2027.
Who’s judging
The winners will be selected by a jury of people who know photonics and what makes good industry content:
- Alexander Telle, CEO ACM Coatings GmbH (a subsidiary of Acktar Ltd.);
- Cory Boone, Technical Content Strategist at Zygo;
- Gwenn Pallier, Product Line Manager at Cailabs;
- Laura Beasley, Senior Marketing Coordinator at G&H;
- Lukas Ceizaris, Chief Marketing Officer at OPTOMAN;
- Sean McElwee, Content Strategist at Thorlabs;
- Mike DeMarco, Executive Director of Optics for the Greater Good;
- Dr Matthias Höh, Vice President Global Marketing at TOPTICA.
People’s Choice
The public will choose the ninth winner. Attendees at SPIE Photonics West will vote in a public poll for the People’s Choice winner.
Where the winners will be announced
All nine winners will be announced at the SuperHero League Party on 3 February 2027 at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco. The party takes place alongside SPIE Photonics West, running from 30 January to 4 February 2027 at the Moscone Centre.
About SuperHero League
No single company can solve the laser world’s hardest problems on its own. SuperHero League brings OPTOMAN, Cailabs, TOPTICA, Zygo, G&H and Acktar together so scientists, engineers and photonics professionals can share what they know, refer each other and work together, while making photonics fun to follow.
For press inquiries, nomination details, or more information, please contact:
mariia.borovska@optoman.com
