Eric Mazur

Eric Mazur is the Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard University, and a Member of the Faculty of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He holds leadership roles including Faculty Director of The Learning Incubator and participation in research centers like the Harvard Quantum Initiative. Mazur earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Leiden, Netherlands, in 1982, and joined Harvard's faculty in 1984, achieving tenure in 1990. He has pioneered research in nanophotonics, optical physics, and educational innovation, notably developing the Peer Instruction teaching method. His honors include the Minerva Prize for Higher Education (2014), the Esther Hoffman Beller Award, and honorary doctorates from institutions worldwide. Mazur’s work bridges science and education, with over 380 scientific publications and 52 patents. He founded companies like SiOnyx and Perusall, advancing technologies in optoelectronics and social learning platforms.

Research Interests: Mazur’s research spans nanophotonics, quantum metamaterials, and optical engineering. His educational innovations focus on interactive teaching methods, including Peer Instruction and adaptive learning technologies. Key projects include zero-index metamaterials for extreme optics and laser-based cellular delivery systems.

• Grants: Supported by NSF and industry partnerships, Mazur’s research explores quantum materials, twisted bilayer photonics, and optoelectronic devices.
• Labs/Teams: The Mazur Group at Harvard focuses on nanophotonics and educational technology, with collaborations in quantum engineering and biophotonics.

Awards: Beyond academic accolades, Mazur is a Fellow of the Optical Society and the American Physical Society, and a Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences.