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From PhD to CEO @ICOP2026

#career-development #entrepreneurship #networking #optics #photonics #photonics-society

Bridging Academia and Industry at ICOP 2026

The IEEE Photonics Society Italy Chapter is pleased to announce From PhD to CEO, a flagship career-development event that will take place during the Italian Conference on Optics and Photonics in L’Aquila on 16 June 2026, from 13:00 to 14:30, at the Centro Congressi “Luigi Zordan” – Sala San Basilio.

Designed for students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers, the event aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry in photonics, offering participants the opportunity to explore career paths beyond traditional research environments and discover how scientific ideas can evolve into successful businesses and impactful technologies.

The program will feature two keynote talks from distinguished entrepreneurs and leaders in the photonics sector who successfully transitioned from research to industry:

Alessandro Zavatta – Quantum Telecommunication Italy
Giuseppe Antonacci – SpectoPhotonics

Through their personal and professional experiences, the speakers will share insights into innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and the challenges and opportunities of building companies in the photonics ecosystem.

Following the keynote talks, participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers during an interactive Q&A panel discussion focused on careers, funding opportunities, and the future of photonics innovation.

The event will also provide valuable networking opportunities with industry representatives and fellow researchers. Registered participants will receive a lunch box to facilitate participation during the ICOP schedule.

Event Details
Centro Congressi “Luigi Zordan” – Sala San Basilio, L’Aquila, Italy
16 June 2026
13:00 – 14:30