Rate My Professor Kathleen Richardson

Dr. Kathleen A. Richardson serves as the UCF Trustee Chair, Pegasus Professor of Optics and Materials Science and Engineering, and Florida Photonics Center of Excellence Professor at CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida. She holds a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering (1982), M.S. in Glass Science (1988), and Ph.D. in Ceramic Engineering (1992) from Alfred University. With over 25 years at UCF, Richardson directs the Glass Processing and Characterization Laboratory (GPCL), leading research on the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel glass, glass-ceramic, and ceramic materials tailored for advanced optical applications. Her academic interests encompass structure/property relationships influencing optical functionality in bulk, planar, and fiber formats; gradient refractive index (GRIN) optics; transparent ceramic media; optical phase change materials, including 3D-printing techniques; infrared material metrology; and optical nanocomposites for chem-bio detection and integrated opto-electronic systems.

Richardson is a globally recognized authority in infrared glass research, having authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, numerous book chapters, and holding extensive intellectual property. Notable publications include "Bismuth-doped soda alumino germanate glass part I: examination of the role of Na/Al atomic ratio on the glass matrix and bismuth luminescence properties in the 300-900 nm spectral range" (Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2025), "Refractive Index and Thermo-Optic Coefficients of Single and poly-crystalline ZnSe using CHARMS" (2025), "2D Addressable Mid-infrared Metasurface Spatial Light Modulator" (submitted to Nature Communications, 2025), "Role of thermal history in the formation of commercial-scale, infrared glass-ceramics" (Int. J. of Appl. Glass Sci., 2025), and "Solution-based processing of Ge2Sb2Se4Te optical phase change materials" (Optical Materials Express, 2024). Her profound impact is evidenced by major awards such as the 2025 Presidents Award from the International Commission on Glass, 2026 Otto Schott Research Award from Ernst Abbe Fond, 2022 Varshneya Frontiers in Glass Science award, 2021 UCF Research Excellence Award, 2020 SPIE Maria J. Yzuel Outstanding Educator Award, 2019 Arthur L. Friedberg Award, 2018 Pegasus Professor Award, and 2017 George W. Morey Award. A Fellow of Optica, SPIE, American Ceramic Society, Society of Glass Technology, and honorary European Ceramic Society, she contributes to leadership roles including the ICG Advisory Committee and Alfred University Board of Trustees.