ZEISS Research Award 2025 - celebrating outstanding research in optics & photonics

Oberkochen, Munich / Germany | 11 July 2025 | ZEISS Group

Two renowned researchers received the ZEISS Research Award at a ceremony on Thursday evening. The award went to physicists Prof. Dr. Jelena Vučković from Stanford University and Prof. Dr. Yuri Kivshar from the Australian National University (ANU). Both researchers have made substantial advances in nonlinear optics, metamaterials and nanophotonics. To date, their work has advanced research and opened up new pioneering approaches to technological innovation. The ceremony took place once again at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Guests from business, science and politics accepted invitations.

"Innovation is part of ZEISS' DNA and it almost always starts with research. We reward groundbreaking research that facilitates new developments in our sector and drives technological progress with the ZEISS Research Award. We are delighted to present this award and support the researchers' work," said Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of ZEISS.

In his speech, Andreas Pecher underlined the fact that great breakthroughs in science and technology were made by people who had the courage to challenge the status quo and explore unchartered waters. That's the case with these award-winners. "The researchers we are celebrating this evening have achieved something remarkable. Something we can build on. We are all impressed by the courage and invaluable potential their work has."

Prof. Dr. Jelena Vučković is one of the leading researchers in quantum photonics and has been a professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University since 2003 where she heads up the Nanoscale and Quantum Photonics (NQP) Lab. Her research focuses on the investigation of methods for controlling light at the nanoscopic level and the development of photonic chips. "It is a great honor to receive this award. My work would not have been possible without all my team members, collaborators and mentors because science is a team sport," emphasized Vučković. She has made a significant contribution to nanophotonics by releasing a software suite called SPINS (Stanford Photonic Inverse Design Software). Now incorporated as a start-up, SPINS automates the design of nanophotonic devices, revolutionizing nanophotonics by creating highly efficient, compact and powerful structures. Their innovative approaches and technologies have substantially improved the integration and functionality of optical components on microchips.

Since 1993 Prof. Dr. Yuri Kivshar has been working at the Australian National University where he founded the Nonlinear Physics Centre. His research focuses on nonlinear phenomena in optical systems, metamaterials and nanophotonics. He is a pioneer in Mie-resonant meta-photonics, which is based on multipolar Mie resonances and their interference in dielectric nanoparticles and metasurfaces made of materials with a high refractive index. His work has led to significant advances in nonlinear and topological nanophotonics. This innovation enables the manipulation of light on the nanoscale and has improved the integration of complex optical functions in miniaturized components. His research thus paves the way for new technological applications of nano-optical and non-linear systems. Kivshar also emphasized the importance of collaboration in research, saying, "This award is a testament to the support and guidance I have received on my scientific journey. I would really like to thank everyone who has played a crucial part in my success."

ZEISS has been recognizing special achievements in the fields of optics and photonics since 1990. The award was first launched as the Carl Zeiss Research Award but has been granted as the ZEISS Research Award since 2016. The following criteria are key to the ZEISS Research Award: the candidates have made outstanding achievements in optics or photonics, they should still be actively conducting research and their work offers major potential for gaining further knowledge and enabling practical applications. If these criteria have been met, they are put forward to a jury of international experts in science. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mlynek from Humboldt University Berlin was also at the awards ceremony in Munich and was head judge.

The ZEISS Research Award does not simply provide a platform for recognizing excellent research, it also enhances the international exchange between science and industry. Through the ZEISS Research Award, the company is highlighting the importance of innovation and scientific progress in a globally networked world.