The OSA Foundation (OSAF) has announced that entrepreneur, Milton Chang and his wife Rosalind have donated $1 Million USD to create a professional development program through the OSA Foundation. This new offering will highlight the potential career opportunities for technical professionals outside of the traditional role of industry, government or academic researcher.
“Scientists and engineers can have a profound impact on society. By bringing our expertise and passion to non-traditional fields, we elevate the importance of scientific skills as well as the impact discovery and innovation have on the greater good,” said Milton Chang, managing partner, Incubic. ”When choosing a career path, one should think broadly about how the world works and how your technical expertise can make the greatest contribution.”
In today’s high-tech world scientific expertise is making an impact in every aspect of society. Technical knowledge is an invaluable resource sought after by multiple disciplines: business development, public policy, education, technology transfer, intellectual property, finance, science communication non‐academic roles in universities and more. This program will offer support to those interested in alternative career paths.
Chad Stark, OSA Foundation Executive Director remarked, "Many fields value science-based skills such as analytical rigor, data management and creative logical thinking. We are excited to offer a unique and focused professional development program. The OSA Foundation continues to benefit from Dr. Chang’s vision and support.”
Milton Chang is managing partner of Incubic Management, LLC, a business advisory firm. Prior to founding Incubic, Milton was president of Newport and New Focus, which he took public. The companies he has grown have resulted in six IPOs and eight acquisitions. He is a Trustee of the California Institute of Technology and has recently served on the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies. He also served on the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Dr. Chang earned his BS engineering degree with highest honors from the University of Illinois and PhD from the California Institute of Technology, and received Distinguished Alumni awards from both U of I and Caltech. He also attended the Harvard Owner/President Management Program (OPM) and was a member of the Young President Organization (YPO). He is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, The Optical Society, and the Laser Institute of America, and is past president of IEEE Photonics Society and the Laser Institute of America.