Larry G. DeShazer, Ph.D.
Director of Irvine CACT @ ATEP
Larry G. DeShazer, Ph.D. --
Dr. DeShazer is Director of the State of California's Irvine Center for
Applied Competitive Technologies (Irvine CACT) located at the Advanced Technology &
Education Park, in Tustin, CA, and is an Adjunct Professor of Physical Science.
He received his Ph.D. in Physics (atomic spectroscopy)
from The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and has forty-years
of experience in solid-state physics, solid-state lasers, optical
materials and electro-optical devices. He is Fellow of IEEE and
Fellow of the Optical Society of America with the citation, "for
contributions to fundamental research in laser spectroscopy of
rare-earth and transition-metal solids and the development of
lasers using these materials." Dr. DeShazer had tenure at the
University of Southern California in the departments of physics
and electrical engineering as a teaching and research professor of
laser physics and quantum electronics, serving for 13 years. Dr.
DeShazer founded the Center for Laser Studies at USC, an applied
research organization interfacing between the university and
industry.
In addition to his scientific experience, Dr. DeShazer has extensive experience in business administration, industrial and scientific management and product development. He was director of Laser Systems Division, McDonnell Douglas Aerospace in St. Louis; Head of Laser Optical Materials Section, Hughes Research Laboratories, Malibu; and Director of Solid State Laser Group, Spectra Technology, Inc., a subsidiary of Spectra Physics. Dr. DeShazer was president for the small businesses Solidlite Corporation in Redmond, WA, BioLase Technology, Inc. in San Clemente, and Future Light LLC in Tustin, all making laser medical products. He was Liaison Scientist for the U.S. Office of Naval Research in London during 1975-6 assisting U.S. and European scientists in establishing contacts. He was also Visiting Professor at Rennes University in France and Visiting Scientist to the Academy of Science USSR. He holds eight patents and has published 136 scientific papers. In 2001 Dr. DeShazer was awarded the NASA Certificate of Recognition for Technical Innovation.
Donn Silberman
Assistant Director of Irvine CACT @ ATEP
Instructor for the Fundamental of Optics courses.
Donn Silberman began his work in optics in 1976 when as a high school senior he volunteered as an astronomy student technician. There he learned how to operate a small planetarium,
maintain the class telescopes and built his own 8" F/8 Newtonian. Donn attended the University of Arizona to study Astronomy, worked at the Flandreau Planetarium and ended up receiving a
Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics (Honors
in Physics). During his years at the UofA, Donn also worked at the Optical Sciences Center and taught undergraduate physics labs. Donn served as the
Society of Physics Students President from 1981 - 1983 and as an SPS Councilor from 1983 - 1984.
Since then, Donn has logged over 20 years of management and technical experience in various optics based businesses, with a number of patents and publications to his credit. He has an extensive
background in product management, including conceptualizing, research and development, quality assurance, product manufacturing, marketing and sales. Some of Donn’s notable positions include Senior
R&D Optical Engineer for Johnson & Johnson’s IOLAB Corporation in Claremont, California; Operations Manager, Micro-Optics, for Corning Incorporated’s Advanced Photonics Technologies group in Garden Grove,
California; and Engineering Systems Manager in the RAM Optical Instruments division of Newport Corporation in Irvine,
California. Donn was also responsible for marketing Newport’s Opto-Mechanical product line and
introduced color product photos into the famous Newport catalog. In 1994, Donn received a Master of Science degree in Technology Management from Pepperdine University.
Donn has held several volunteer positions with the OSSC , including Programs and Scholarship Chairs in the mid 1990’s and Newsletter Editor and
Treasurer, Secretary and now Vice President in the mid 2000’s. He is the Founding Director of The Optics Institute of Southern California which focuses on optics education outreach and works closely with the
OSSC, OSA, SPIE and MESA on the Hands-On Optics and other educational outreach programs. Donn was recently appointed as the
Assistant Director of the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies at South Orange County Community College District's Advanced Technology
and Education Park. Donn serves as a volunteer member of the Exhibits Committee at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, California.
Donn was recently employed by MetroLaser, Inc. in Irvine, California as an Applications Engineer
commercializing a family of laser Doppler vibrometer products and is now a Sr. Applications & Sales Engineer at PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. in Irvine, CA.
Valentina Doushkina
Instructor for the Optical Instruments Design courses.
Valentina Doushkina obtained her degree of M.Sc. in Earth and Space/Atmospheric Science from York University, Toronto, Canada in
1996. She also holds a degree of M.Sc in Electrical Engineering, with major in Electro-optical Instrumentation design from
Electro-Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia. Valentina has 15 years experience in optical design, modeling, prototyping, and
production of complex systems such as laser scanners, laser Doppler vibrometers and velocimeters, spectral imager of atmospheric emission,
LCD projection system. Since moving to Southern California, Valentina has worked for Corning Advanced Photonics Technologies group, MetroLaser, Inc. and now is at Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) Interlase.
Jeff_Padgett
Instructor for the Optical Interferometry/Metrology courses.
Jeff Padgett is an Opto-Mechanical Technician at Zygo Optical Systems in Costa Mesa. He's a 1969 graduate of J.M. Wright Technical School in Stamford, CT.
He worked as a Machinist until joining the Navy in 1972 and attending Opticalman 'A' School. He has worked for the lens department at Panavision as a machinist, repairing Hasselblad camera equipment,
and the Long Beach Naval Shipyard optical shop. Jeff has built UV projection lenses for Tamarack Scientific, and UV sub-assemblies for KLA sub-micron wafer inspection tools while at Newport Corp.
He doesn't have a formal degree, but enjoys learning, attended various community colleges, took numerous SPIE short courses and the Lens Design and Optical Systems Design classes at Irvine CACT.