Lawrence R Chen

Lawrence R. Chen is a Professor at McGill University's Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering. He serves as the Academic Lead for ELATE (Enhancing Learning and Teaching in Engineering) and holds Engineer (OIQ) certification. His research focuses on engineering education (e.g., faculty development, learning mechanisms) and photonics (e.g., photonic integration, microwave photonics). He has advised numerous PhD and master’s students, including recent graduates such as Yuxuan Xie and Mostafa Khalil. His work spans theoretical and applied photonics, with recent contributions to quantum dash lasers and optoelectronic systems.

Chen’s engineering education research examines student perceptions, career motivations, and pedagogical practices. Notable collaborations include studies on undergraduate engineering identity and student-generated multimedia for professional ethics education. His photonics research includes microwave photonic filters, optical frequency combs, and secure optical communications.

Current research group members include PhD students Xi Wang and Zhuoran Wang, alongside undergraduate researchers focusing on engineering education. Past students have secured roles at institutions like Hyperlume and ADVA Optical Networking. Chen’s work is published in venues like the IEEE Journal of Lightwave Technology and Optics Express.