Hugo Thienpont

Hugo Thienpont is a full professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where he directs the Brussels Photonics innovation center B-PHOT, which comprises over 60 scientists, engineers, and administrative staff. He serves as VUB vice-chancellor for innovation and industrial policy and chairs its Technology Transfer Office. Additionally, he is vice president of Photonics 21, Europe's Photonics Public Private Partnership.

Thienpont graduated as an Electrotechnical Engineer with majors in Applied Physics in 1984 and received his PhD in Applied Sciences in 1990, both at VUB. His research spans fundamental, applied, and industrial photonics, with over 850 Web of Science cited papers and 40 PhD students supervised. As co-inventor of 21 patents, his work bridges academic research and industrial applications.

His research interests center on photonics, including optical telecommunications, lasers, micro-optics, optical sensors, and optical computing. Recent publications demonstrate continued innovation in biophotonics, space optics, nanophotonics, and integrated photonics, with a focus on practical applications in sensing, communications, and instrumentation.

His numerous scientific awards include the International Commission for Optics Prize ICO'99, SPIE President's Award, SPIE Fellow status, Methusalem top-scientist recognition, and the Belgian Franqui Chair. He has received prestigious honors from organizations including Carl Zeiss, IEEE, and the Royal Flemish Academy.

Thienpont has built an exceptional record in research leadership, having coordinated major European networks like NEMO, Photonics for Life, ACTMOST, and ACTPHAST. His industrial collaborations with companies like Barco, Agfa-Gevaert, and TE Connectivity have generated significant technology transfer, with B-PHOT becoming VUB's best-performing research group for industry collaboration.

He directs B-PHOT, one of Europe's leading photonics research centers, which has established itself as a hub for both fundamental research and industrial innovation in photonics. Under his leadership, the center has developed strong connections with European industry and research institutions, creating a vibrant ecosystem for photonics innovation.