Dr. Sang-Sam Choi had served as a president of the Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI) from 2001 to 2004 and joined a laser equipment company (Laser & Physics Co.). He was the chief scientist of the Applied Physics and Electronic Engineering Department of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) from 1990 to 2001. He was born in 1940 in Korea and educated at the University of North Carolina, Michigan State University and Ohio State University in USA, receiving BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees in Physic in 1966, 1968 and 1971 respectively. For 27 years (1974 – 2001), he has been a leading scientist in the field of applied optics and photonics research center of KIST.

His career experiences include the President of Korean Optical Society, Chair of the Scientific Counsel of Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Director of LG Cable Co., Consultant of Korea Telecom. LTD., and visiting professor at Korea University. He also has experience as a visiting researcher at the Centre National Research Scientific (CNRS) in France and the Communication Research Lab. (CRL) in Japan.

His research experience includes laser optic and device, waveguide optics, optical fiber and sensor, optical communication and internet. In 2016, he received OSA’s Sang Soo Lee Award “for pioneering the development of optical fiber in South Korea which led to flourishing optical fiber and optical communication industries.”