Engineering the Future of Light-Based Computing and Photonic Systems
Principal Investigator :
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Hamed Dalir, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
University of Florida
PD, University of California – Berkeley, USA 2016
Ph.D., Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan 2014
M.Sc., Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan 2011
Email: hamed (dot) dalir (at) ufl (dot) edu
Hamed Dalir, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Florida, where he serves as Area Chair for Electronics, Faculty Senator, and Director of the CHIP Lab. His academic mission is centered on a clear vision: to build the photonic and semiconductor hardware foundations for the next era of artificial intelligence, quantum technology, sensing, and high-performance computing. Through research, teaching, mentorship, and service, Dr. Dalir advances technologies that connect device physics, scalable semiconductor manufacturing, heterogeneous integration, and system-level innovation. Dr. Dalir is a leading researcher in integrated photonics, semiconductor lasers, co-packaged optics, photonic computing, quantum photonics, and energy-efficient optical hardware. His work spans Very Large-Scale Photonic Integration, heterogeneous photonic packaging, electro-optic modulators, optical interconnects, optical phased arrays, and advanced semiconductor laser platforms including VCSELs and TCSELs. His research philosophy reflects a systems-level approach: invent at the device level, integrate at the platform level, and translate at the application level. He received his Ph.D. from the Institute of Science Tokyo, where he trained in advanced semiconductor laser technologies, and later continued his research as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. Over the past two decades, he has developed a broad and impactful research portfolio spanning optical communication, photonic AI accelerators, quantum photonics, optical sensing, high-speed photonic-electronic systems, and next-generation semiconductor hardware. His work bridges fundamental photonic science with manufacturable technologies for real-world deployment.
Dr. Dalir has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications and filed over 20 patents in photonic devices, integrated architectures, and semiconductor laser technologies, with several inventions transferred to industry partners including Fuji Xerox and Broadcom/Avago. His research programs have been supported by major federal agencies, defense organizations, and industry leaders, including TSMC, DOE, DARPA, AFWERX, AFOSR, ARO, ONR, NASA, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division. These programs have supported advances in wafer-scale photonic integration, co-packaged optics, photonic AI hardware, advanced semiconductor lasers, optical interconnects, quantum photonic systems, and next-generation sensing platforms. Dr. Dalir has received numerous national and international honors, including recognition among the top 1% researchers worldwide in Electronics and Electrical Engineering by Research.com in 2026, nomination as a National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering participant, Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% Scientists recognition in Optics, Rising Star in Photonics from the American Chemical Society, TSMC Best Project Collaboration Award, UF ECE Excellence in Teaching Award, UF ECE Faculty of the Year Award, IAAM Scientist Medal and Fellowship, AFWERX Commercialization Award, and SPIE Community Champion Award. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, Optica, SPIE, and NAI, and a Fellow of JSPS and IAAM. Beyond research, Dr. Dalir is deeply committed to academic leadership, student mentorship, and workforce development in microelectronics, semiconductors, photonics, and quantum technologies. He serves as Associate Editor for EPJ Quantum Technology and Advanced Quantum Photonics, contributes to major international conference committees, and serves on the SPIE Harold E. Edgerton Award Selection Committee. At the University of Florida, he supports interdisciplinary semiconductor and photonics initiatives and frequently contributes to CPET programs, helping inspire and train the next generation of students in advanced science and engineering.
Dr. Dalir’s work is guided by a long-term academic motto: build the devices, integrate the systems, train the people, and shape the future. Through his research, teaching, professional service, and outreach, he is advancing scalable photonic technologies that can transform AI computing, quantum systems, optical communication, sensing, and the future semiconductor ecosystem.
Editorships: EPJ Quantum Technology | Advanced Quantum Photonics
Ph.D. Students:
Sydney Mutchnick
L3Harris Scholar (Co-advised with Prof. Philip Feng)
Sydney is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Physics at the University of Florida. She received dual bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics from the University of Richmond. As an L3Harris Scholar, Sydney's research focuses on developing integrated electronic-photonic platforms to enable faster, ultra-compact, energy-efficient computational systems. She has experience in MEMS and NEMS device fabrication, working at the intersection of nanotechnology and photonics. Her strong theoretical background in physics has allowed her to specialize in integrated photonics, applying fundamental principles to advance cutting-edge technologies in high-speed computing and signal processing.
Joseph Crandall
Microsoft Scholar
Joseph Crandall is a Software Engineer II at Microsoft, specializing in areas such as SQL Virtual Machines and Service Fabric performance. With over four years of experience in software engineering and data science, he is proficient in Python, C++, and Java, enabling him to contribute effectively to Microsoft Azure. Simultaneously, Joseph is pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering with a focus on quantum sensing and computing. He holds an MS in Electrical Engineering and dual BS degrees in Computer Science and Physics from the George Washington University, as well as a private pilot certificate. Dedicated to advancing the field of software and quantum engineering, Joseph aims to develop technologies that benefit society and the environment. His personal website, josephcrandall.com, provides further details on his work and projects.
Benjamin Hayden
DOW SMART Scholar
NEEC Crane Scholar
Benjamin is a Ph.D. student at the University of Florida, where he focuses on advanced ADC/DAC design for next-generation AI accelerators. He is a SMART Scholar, and a recipient of the FSI award, Iva and Norman Tuckett Scholarship/Fellowship Fund reflecting both his academic excellence and strong research potential. His interests span emerging technologies, with particular emphasis on quantum computing and integrated photonics. Beyond his academic pursuits, Benjamin enjoys drawing, playing volleyball, and weight training. He is driven to contribute to the advancement of quantum and photonic technologies in the coming years.
Abbott Amirany
UF DRA Scholar
NEEC Crane Scholar
Visiting Scholar, University of Texas at Austin, 2025
Research Scholar., The George Washington University, 2023-2025
Abbott is a highly accomplished researcher whose work bridges VLSI design, emerging technologies, neuromorphic computing, and approximate computing. He earned his B.Sc., and M.Sc., has built a distinguished career grounded in both academic excellence and technological innovation. He has been recognized in the Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% Scientists Ranking (2024 Edition). Before joining the University of Florida, Amirany served as a research scientist at George Washington University, where he furthered his research in energy-efficient and intelligent hardware systems. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications and more than 1,400 citations, he has made lasting contributions through collaborations with top-tier institutions and leading scholars in his field. His groundbreaking research has been recognized with numerous honors, including several Best Paper Awards at international conferences and six consecutive Top Student Researcher accolades. From 2018 to 2023, he was named Researcher of the Year—a rare and consistent recognition of his leadership and impact. Amirany’s excellence has also been acknowledged on a national scale, earning him U.S. permanent residency through the EB-1A program for individuals of extraordinary ability. He is a Senior Member of both IEEE and ACM, a Life Member of SPIE, and actively involved in professional organizations including AAAS, AAAI, and Sigma Xi.
Editorship: Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Salem Altaleb
MSc., Wayne State University, USA
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission Scholar
Salem is an Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) doctoral student at the University of Florida. Salem possesses a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in ECE, with an emphasis on practical abilities in computer languages and hardware design. His significant laboratory expertise has enabled him to specialize on convolutional neural network accelerators and optical system projects. In addition, he has extensive experience constructing field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), very large-scale integration (VLSI), and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). His research interests include 2D materials and optoelectronic devices. He is a member of IEEE, OSA/Optica, and SPIE as a student.
Belal Jahannia
Researcher, The George Washington University, USA
IEEE Photonics Society Graduate Scholar
Belal is a doctoral candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Florida. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in ECE. Belal specializes in the efficient hardware implementation of neural networks, focusing on reducing memory requirements for storing neural network weights. His expertise includes techniques such as quantization, memory sharing, model compression, in-memory computing, and hardware-specific optimizations. Belal aims to enhance the efficiency of neural network implementations on platforms like FPGA and ASIC neural network hardware accelerators, bridging the gap between AI algorithms and hardware deployment.
Abdulaziz Bazammul
MSc., Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission Scholar
Abdulaziz’s passion for understanding nature made him pursue a career in physics. Graduating from King Abdulaziz University with BSc in physics with outstanding academic and training records in the field of carbon nanotubes and quantum espresso. After which he did his MSc in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces at Imperial College London. His masters dissertation titled “What have we learned of quantum gravity from holography” has opened his eyes to the field of quantum technologies and its crucial role to advance the field of fundamental physics further. All of these events made Abdulaziz an enthusiastic researcher and an eager learner in the field of Quantum technology which led him to join the CHIP Lab as a PhD student.
Vahid Najmi
MSc., Virginia Tech, USA
Vahid Najmi is an Electrical Engineering Team Lead with over 15 years of extensive experience in hardware and systems design, leading projects from initial concept through mass production. His expertise spans processors and microcontrollers, power management, switching power supplies, analog and digital design, and failure analysis. He is highly skilled in schematic capture and PCB layout, with a strong track record of collaborating with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) on specifications, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Design for Testability (DFT), while actively contributing to system development, compliance, manufacturing processes (including end-of-life planning), and reliability testing. He has also successfully navigated supply chain challenges and implemented cost-saving strategies throughout the design lifecycle. During his tenure at Tesla, Vahid played a key role in launching multiple products and core technologies, driving significant cost reductions and improved profitability. Previously, at Solectria Renewables, he led in-house development of critical control boards for solar inverter systems, optimizing both performance and cost-efficiency. In addition to his hardware strengths, he brings a solid foundation in firmware and software development, including proficiency in Python, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary innovation. Known for his tireless work ethic, problem-solving mindset, and collaborative leadership, Vahid is a trusted and self-sufficient team leader with a proven ability to mentor engineers and deliver high-impact engineering solutions.
Rouzbeh Borhani
Plug and Play Scholar
Rouzbeh Borhani is the Founder and Head of the Semiconductor Practice at Plug and Play Tech Center, where he works at the intersection of technology, venture capital, and corporate innovation to advance the semiconductor ecosystem. He collaborates with startups, industry leaders, and investors to accelerate the development and commercialization of emerging semiconductor technologies across the value chain. Prior to this role, he served as a Country Retail Management Director in the consumer electronics sector, gaining experience in operations, product scaling, and business strategy. Rouzbeh holds an MBA (STEM track) and an M.S. in Disruptive Innovation from Hult International Business School, and a B.E. in Mechatronics Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Florida. His work reflects a strong focus on bridging deep-tech engineering with business strategy, enabling scalable, market-ready semiconductor innovations.
Adnan Cinisi
UF ECE Fellow
Adnan is an incoming PhD student at the University of Florida with a BS in Electrical Engineering. His industry background is in hardware development at Ford Motor Company. He is interested in investigating devices and methods to achieve high speed, efficient conversion between electrical and optical domains. Leveraging his experience in robust development, he is also interested in transforming free-space prototypes into commercial PICs. In his free time, he likes to garden, tinker, read, and exercise. He looks forward to sharpening the cutting edge of integrated photonics.
Owen Downs
NEEC Crane Scholar
He is an incoming Ph.D. student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Florida and currently serves as an undergraduate researcher in the Computational Heterogeneous Integrated Photonics (CHIP) Laboratory. His research focuses on silicon photonics, photonic integrated circuits, and phase-change-material (PCM)-based on-chip optical memory for next-generation computing, artificial intelligence, and optical interconnects.
He has completed multiple internships with L3Harris Technologies as both an Optical Engineering Intern and a Photonics Engineering Intern, where he worked on optical system design, fiber-optic technologies, acousto-optics, and photonic device simulation using Ansys Lumerical. His technical interests include silicon photonics, integrated photonics, optical communications, computational photonics, and advanced optical system design. He is passionate about developing scalable photonic technologies for high-speed communications, sensing, and energy-efficient computing systems.
SELECTED Undergraduate Students:
Ky Ngo
BSc., The University of Florida, USA, 2027
Ky is studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Florida with a certificate in Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering, where he is an undergraduate researcher and part of the Combined BS/MS Degree Program. His research focuses on the ADC design of a photonic accelerator for next-generation computing and artificial intelligence. Outside of the lab, Ky led the electrical design team for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, helped design the telemetry PCBs for UF’s solar vehicle team, and played the drums for UF’s jazz band. His industry background spans across power systems with Duke Energy and hardware development with Ford Motor Company. Outside of engineering, Ky enjoys playing live music, soccer, and trying new coffee shops. He looks forward to pushing the boundaries of integrated photonics and its role in next-generation computing.
Brianna Hernandez
BSc., The University of Florida, USA, 2027
Brianna Hernandez is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of Florida. In the lab, she collaborates with graduate researchers on the optimization of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) edge coupler designs to improve coupling efficiency. An active member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WECE), Brianna balances her academic and research commitments with a love for baking, watching movies, and running.
Elvin Hernandez
BSc., The University of Florida, USA, 2027
Elvin is a senior undergraduate Electrical Engineering student at the University of Florida. His lab research focuses on the development of weights in an optical neural network using Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ (GST). By combining thermal simulations and crystallization kinetic analysis in ANSYS, he is working on and helping develop a trainable optical neural network. Elvin has also contributed to the development of a photonic DAC by modeling and simulating the optical transmission behavior of GST as it switches between crystalline to amorphous phases. Outside of schooling, he enjoys listening to rock music and learning electric guitar, reading, and photography.
Cole M. Safriet
BSc., The University of Florida, USA, 2028
Cole is a undergraduate student at the University of Florida, where he is pursuing a major in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Science. His interests span in electronics and power/renewable energies. Beyond academics, Cole is also involved in the Marching and Concert bands at UF as a section leader and enjoys running and volleyball. He is motivated to learn as much as possible at his time at UF and excited to help contribute to a more advanced world.
Visiting Scholar
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Hsin-Yuan Lin
Exchange Student, University of Florida, USA, 2026
BSc., National Central University, Taiwan, 2028
Lin is an undergraduate student at National Central University, Taiwan, who was an exchange student at UF during the Fall 2025–Spring 2026 semester. Although he has since returned to NCU, he continues to actively participate in CHIP Lab's research remotely. His research focuses on photonic DAC and electro-optic co-design for photonic AI accelerator applications, with work resulting in recent submissions to peer-reviewed journals in the field of integrated photonics. Beyond his academic pursuits in photonics, Lin was a national representative for Taiwan at the International Young Physicists' Tournament (IYPT), and he enjoys rhythm games, having founded the Rhythm Games Club at NCU to bring enthusiasts together. He is driven to contribute to the advancement of photonic computing and silicon photonics technologies in the coming years.
Distinguished Alumni
Jiachi Ye, Ph.D.
Ph.D., University of Florida, USA Class of 2025
Jiachi Ye has successfully defended his Ph.D. and officially graduated from CHIP lab on 7/17/2025. His research focused on Orbital Angular Momentum Beams in Free-Space Optical Communication and Computing. Jiachi made significant contributions to both our lab and the broader community by introducing novel concepts in the fields of free-space communications and optical computing. His publication record has exceeded my expectations—he first authored over 15 journals and conference papers. Additionally, he has two pending patents stemming from his original work.
While his Ph.D. journey has come to a close, his pursuit of knowledge continues.
Dr. Ye has started a position as a Process Engineer overseeing SMT, AOI, and all MINER manufacturing processes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, following his graduation.
Haoyan Kang, Ph.D.
PD, University of Florida, USA Class of 2024
Ph.D., George Washington University, 2023.
Haoyan Kang received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the George Washington University in 2023. His doctoral research focused on freespace optical computing, Fourier optics, and photonic neural networks. During his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida, Dr. Kang contributed to the development of hybrid optical-electronic neural networks for structured light processing and orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam systems. His work has been published in Nature Communications Physics, Nanomaterials, Applied Physics Reviews, and SPIE conferences.
Currently, Dr. Kang is working as an Electro-Optics R&D Lead Engineer and Manager at API Metrology, focusing on the development of next-generation LiDAR systems.
Iain Dimech
BSc., The University of Florida, USA, 2026
Iaim was a B.S. student in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics at the University of Florida, graduated on May 2026. Originally from Clearwater, Florida, and raised in Inverness, Florida, he has been actively involved in engineering leadership and outreach throughout his undergraduate studies. He served as Seminar Coordinator for the IEEE Student Branch at UF, organizing technical seminars featuring faculty members and industry professionals, and as Director of Special Events for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Ambassadors (ECEA), supporting major events for the ECE community.
Beginning in Fall 2026, Iain will join the Ph.D. program at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Prof. Amr Helmy, where he will pursue research in integrated photonics, optoelectronics, and next-generation photonic technologies.
Brianna McDaniel
BSc., The University of Florida, USA, 2026
I Brianna McDaniel is graduated a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and an AI certificate. Brianna led the Women's Club Basketball Team as Captain and Fundraising Chair, demonstrating her commitment for cooperation and community participation outside of school. She also volunteered for the UF Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers as Programs Chair. At CHIP Lab, Brianna worked in programming, PCB design, and analog and digital circuitry.
Sponsors and Collaborators : Start with Photons End with Impact
