Dr. Andrew M. Weiner was a distinguished scholar and visionary leader in the field of ultrafast optics and photonics who served as the Scifres Family Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University. His academic journey began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned his Sc.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1984 after setting a world record for the shortest optical pulse during his graduate studies. Following his doctoral work, he advanced his research at Bellcore, eventually rising to Manager of Ultrafast Optics and Optical Signal Processing Research. In 1992, he joined Purdue University where he established himself as a transformative figure in optical science and engineering education.
Weiner's groundbreaking research in ultrafast optics revolutionized the processing of high-speed lightwave signals, particularly through his pioneering work on femtosecond pulse shaping. His seminal contributions to Fourier synthesis methods enabled precise control of femtosecond light pulses, allowing for the engineering of complex phase- and amplitude-modulated ultrafast optical waveforms that became instrumental in numerous applications. These advancements found widespread implementation in fiber-optic networks and research laboratories around the world, fundamentally shaping modern optical science and communications technology. His later work significantly advanced optical frequency combs into the quantum realm, earning him the prestigious Charles Hard Townes Medal from Optica in 2023 for these transformative contributions.
As a dedicated educator and mentor, Weiner profoundly influenced the next generation of optical scientists, graduating 48 PhD students while receiving Purdue University's Provost's Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentor and College of Engineering Mentorship Award. His visionary leadership extended beyond his own research as he co-founded the Purdue Quantum Center well ahead of the national investment surge in quantum information science, establishing what would become a national force under the United States National Quantum Initiative Centers. Weiner's commitment to strategic development of photonics at Purdue included initiating what became one of the institution's signatures known as nanophotonics through targeted hiring and nurturing of key team members. His legacy continues through his election to both the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors, cementing his status as a transformative figure. His work continues to shape the trajectory of optical science and engineering worldwide.
