Founding Director of the Boston University Photonics Center, Dr. Donald Fraser, announced he was stepping down Jan. 31, ending a distinguished career that encompassed work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Fraser began his career at NASA where he created guidance systems for the Apollo lunar missions.
Photonics Center Interim Director Thomas Bifano said Fraser’s work was very difficult.
“Imagine sending a rocket to the moon guided by a computer less powerful than an iPod,” Bifano said in an email, “with the whole world watching and with lives depending on your engineering work.”
But Fraser’s demanding work with NASA was only the beginning of his career.
During his nearly 12 years spent as Photonics Center Director, Fraser played an instrumental role in establishing the vastly influential building. The Photonics Center, which Deputy Director Glenn Thoren said is unique to BU, combines photonics with technology to produce more-efficient and higher-quality products that have fostered the beginnings of 18 new technological companies.
Bifano said Fraser was the groundbreaker of the Center.
“He pioneered a vision of the Center that highlighted commercialization of photonics-related technology and developed advanced prototype photonic devices for the military,” Bifano said.
Thoren said one of Fraser’s strengths is his network of connections to important people. Bifano said Fraser came to BU immediately after serving in a cabinet position for the Pentagon. This connection has directly affected his work at the Photonics Center.
“Dr. Fraser had a broad view of matching industry with technology answering the needs of defense,” Thoren said.
Thoren said the Photonics Center develops technology useful to the military because of the vast amount of funding allocated by the U.S. Army. Some of these technologies include night vision and more efficient batteries that can charge in six minutes.
Aside from developing new technologies under Fraser, the faculty of the Photonics Center is also committed to research in light-based science. Some of the best minds in the field have been attracted to and employed at Fraser’s innovation.
“Simultaneously, the university invested in the academic side of Photonics research,” Bifano said. “From its earliest days, the Center has attracted scholarly pioneers such as Bahaa Saleh [Photonics Center member and Chair of the Electrical Engineering Department] and Professor Mal Teich to lead our academic program in photonics.”
This focus on faculty and research is something Bifano and Thoren say will be a goal of the Photonics Center to continue in the present and into the future.
“Those university investments in academic scholars and the facilities, space and infrastructure that enable their research continue to this day,” Bifano said. “Recent faculty additions include such rising stars as Luca Dal Negro and Anna Swan, further strengthening our academic and educational programs in photonics.”
Thoren said there will be a $1 million increase in research funding.
With the immediate future of the Photonics Center in Bifano’s hands, Fraser’s primary goals are still pending.
“My plans will focus on integrating the four missions of the Photonics Center, in commercial incubation, defense and government-sponsored photonics technology development, academic scholarship and educational enrichment for Boston University students in the area of photonics,” Bifano said. “I will work toward creating shared vision and mutual support among these missions, with the goal of enhancing our reputation as a leading national Center of excellence in this exciting field.”
As Bifano has demonstrated from his mapped-out plans for the building, the Photonics Center will function beyond Fraser’s tenure.
“He will be greatly missed,” Thoren said.
Fraser, who aides said was traveling abroad, did not return repeated calls for comment.