New York Photonics (NYP) is excited to share that the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) announced it has selected Rochester, New York as a national laser innovation hub, awarding $15 million over the next two years to launch the NSF STELLAR Engine in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region of New York. The award is matched by $16 million in New York State support over the next six years.
As an NSF Innovation Engine awardee, STELLAR (Science, Technology and Engineering for Laser and Laser Applications Research) has the potential to eventually receive up to $160 million over the next decade.
Congratulations to members of the NYP board of directors and administration who serve on the STELLAR senior leadership team including:
- Alexis Vogt, Barbara and John H. Bruning Endowed Director of the Optical Systems Technology program at Monroe Community College, Executive Director of the New York Photonics, and STELLAR co-PI
- Thomas Brown, Professor & Director, The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester and STELLAR Principal Investigator (PI) & Interim CEO
- Sujatha Ramanujan, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director, Luminate and STELLAR co-PI
- Joseph Spilman, CEO Optimax, and a member of the STELLAR Advisory Board.
And to:
- STELLAR co-PI, Leah George VanScott, Executive Vice President, Business Development & Strategy with New York Photonics strategic partner, Greater Rochester Enterprise
Visit STELLARlasers.org for the full list of the leadership team and collaborators.
This award is the culmination of work that began in 2023 when the NSF awarded STELLAR a $1 million NSF Regional Innovation Engines Development award. More than 90 organizations from the greater Rochester / Finger Lakes region and across New York State offered collaboration and support including industry, higher ed, startup, state and local government, venture capital, and not-for-profit organizations. A salute to the many New York Photonics members who were part of this coalition.
In announcing the award, Tom Brown described the February 2026 NSF site visit to Rochester as a “watershed moment for bringing our community together; the NSF recognized this as one of the unique strengths of Rochester.”
Indeed, our strength is our Optics, Photonics, Imaging, and Laser (OPIL) community. NYP will provide updates on the STELLAR award through our Special Teams initiative and as part of our ongoing member communications.