David Welch

American optical engineer1

David F. Welch (born October 26, 1960) is an American businessman and research scientist. Welch is a pioneer in the field of optical devices and optical transport systems for telecommunications networks.2

From Wikipedia’s article on David Welch (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Oct 26, 1960.1

About

Welch first made it possible to commercially deploy reliable 980 nm laser pumps, needed in low noise optical amplifiers employed in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) telecommunications systems. He also achieved the first commercial optoelectronics integrated circuit, several years ahead of any competing research or developments laboratory.

Welch was born in Washington, D.C., on October 26, 1960, the youngest of seven children in his family. Welch attended Severna Park High School, a public school in Severna Park, Maryland, and entered the University of Delaware to study electrical engineering at the age of 16. Welch earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 1981 and a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University in 1985.

From Wikipedia’s article on David Welch, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • 1981University of Delaware Bachelor of Science3
  • 1985Cornell University College of Engineering Doctor of Philosophy3
  • Date not recordedCornell University3

In 2011, Welch founded Students Matter, a non-profit organization committed to ensuring access to quality education through impact litigation, communications and advocacy. Students Matter's nationally-watched case, Vergara v. California, challenged California's teacher employment laws around teacher tenure, dismissal and layoffs. Vergara plaintiffs, a group of 9 California public school students, received a favorable decision from the California Superior Court in 2014 in which the judge wrote, "The evidence is compelling. Indeed, it shocks the conscience.". In 2016, a three-judge state appellate court panel reversed the superior court's ruling Students Matter indicated it would appeal that decision to the California Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court let the appellate court's ruling stand.

From Wikipedia’s article on David Welch (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: businessperson, electrical engineer.6

  • Date not recordedFounded Infinera4
  • Date not recordedFounded Spectra Diode Labs5

From January 1985 to February 2001, Welch served in various executive roles, including Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Corporate Development of SDL, an optical component company. JDS Uniphase acquired SDL in 2001.

From February 2001 to April 2001, Welch served as Chief Technology Officer of the Transmission Division of JDS Uniphase Corporation, an optical component company.

Welch is a co-founder, President and a member of the Board of Directors of Infinera Corp, an optical transport networking company.

From Wikipedia’s article on David Welch (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornOct 26, 1960, Washington, D.C.7
  • CitizenshipUnited States8

Awards

  • 2011John Tyndall Award9 11
  • 1992Adolph Lomb Medal9 10

Sources

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