Dr. Dave Welch is a renowned technologist and entrepreneur, best known as a co-founder of Infinera Corporation, where he also served as Chief Innovation Officer and President. He is a seminal figure in the advancement of optical networking, particularly for his pioneering work in the development and commercialization of large-scale Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). These PICs have revolutionized the telecommunications industry by dramatically increasing data transmission capacity while reducing the size, cost, and power consumption of optical transport systems. Dr. Welch's contributions have been instrumental in enabling the growth of the internet and cloud computing. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and is recognized for his visionary leadership and deep technical expertise in photonics and optical communications.
Dave Welch's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:
Co-founded Infinera in 2000, building it into a leading provider of Intelligent Transport Networks. Served in critical roles including President and Chief Innovation Officer, guiding the company's technological strategy and market position.
Led the groundbreaking development and successful commercialization of large-scale Indium Phosphide (InP) based Photonic Integrated Circuits, integrating hundreds of optical functions onto a single chip.
Elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering in 2016 for his contributions to high-power semiconductor lasers and photonic integrated circuits.
Holds over 130 U.S. patents and has authored or co-authored over 250 technical publications, reflecting his prolific innovation in optical technologies.
Recognized as a Fellow of Optica (The Optical Society) for his outstanding contributions to the field of optics and photonics.
Received the IEEE Ernst Weber Managerial Leadership Award for his leadership in the development and commercialization of photonic integrated circuits.
Cornell University - Year 1981
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