Two ABB Optical Scientists Join SPIE's Elite, Highlighting Québec's Optical Innovation

When the global optics and photonics community speaks, it carries weight. SPIE, founded in 1955, is the world's largest professional society dedicated to light-based science and technology, connecting more than 25,000 engineers, scientists, and researchers across the globe. Every year, SPIE elects a small number of its members for its most prestigious distinctions – and this year, two optical scientists from ABB's Québec site made that list. 

Nathalie Blanchard has been elected Senior Member of SPIE, and Anne-Sophie Poulin-Girard has been elected a Fellow of SPIE, the Society's highest level of professional recognition. These honors reflect not only the individual excellence of two outstanding professionals, but also the strength of the work being done every day at ABB's Québec factory, where the team develops and produces cutting-edge optical technologies for space, defense, and beyond.

Optics and photonics – the science and technology of light – are at the heart of some of the most transformative innovations of our time. From lasers and optical fibers to the cameras in our phones and the instruments that explore distant planets, optics and photonics shape the way we live, work, and understand the universe.

"Congratulations to Nathalie and Anne-Sophie on these well-deserved honors,” said Jean-René Roy, Global Business Line Manager, Business Line Analytical at ABB's Measurement & Analytics division. “Whilst we already highly value their contribution, recognition by a global professional society is an additional powerful form of external validation. It means that your and ABB's contributions to optics and photonics are visible, respected, and admired by the wider scientific and engineering community.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

The stories of Nathalie Blanchard and Anne-Sophie Poulin-Girard carry a message that goes beyond professional achievement. Both are women who have built outstanding careers in a highly technical field – and both are actively working to open doors for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Their recognition by SPIE is a reminder that excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) knows no boundaries – and that the work done at ABB's Québec site is not only technically remarkable, but truly world-class.

Congratulations, Nathalie and Anne-Sophie. ??