Chester S. Gardner

Dr. Chester S. Gardner is a Research Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering within the College of Engineering. He joined the faculty in 1973 and served in numerous senior administrative roles, including Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Economic Development, and Chief Executive of the Illinois Global Campus. His research focuses on optical communications, laser remote sensing (lidar), adaptive imaging, and atmospheric physics, with contributions to NASA's Lidar-In-Space Technology Experiment and groundbreaking work on laser guide stars for astronomy.

Education: B.S. (Electrical Engineering, Michigan State University, 1969, with Honors), M.S. and Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering, Northwestern University, 1971–1973). Prior to academia, he worked at Bell Telephone Laboratories (1969–1971).

Research Interests:

• Optical Communication Systems
• Laser Remote Sensing and Altimetry
• Adaptive Optics and Imaging
• Upper Atmospheric Dynamics and Chemistry
• Photonics and Optical Engineering

Scientific Honors:

• Fellowships: IEEE, OSA, AAAS
• Beckman Associate (1981–1982)
• Plenary Lectures at Major Conferences
• Listed in Who's Who in Engineering, American Men and Women of Science

Advising & Leadership: Advised numerous students on atmospheric laser research projects, led IllinoisVENTURES, and managed grants for venture capital initiatives. Currently active in global atmospheric research via the Electro-Optic Systems Laboratory.

Labs/Teams: Electro-Optic Systems Laboratory, collaborating on projects in Chile, Antarctica, and other global sites.