Abstract: My researchjourney has been driven by the synergy between optics and micro-mechanicalsystems (MEMS). Our work has evolved from developing laser-scanning displays topioneering next-generation human-computer-interfaces and translational biomedicaldevices for ophthalmology, diagnostics, and neurostimulation. In this talk, Iwill explore the evolution of our interdisciplinary research and share my"deep-tech" entrepreneurship journey, reflecting on the process oftransforming 60+ patents into five spin-off companies. I will discuss theunique challenges of scaling academic innovation into commercial products andthe lessons learned in bridging the gap between the lab and the market.
Speaker Biography
Hakan Urey is a Professor of ElectricalEngineering and currently serve as Vice-President for Research and Innovation atKoç University, Istanbul. He received his BS degree from Middle East TechnicalUniversity, and MS and PhD degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. Heworked for Microvision Inc. in the US for 5 years and then joined KoçUniversity in 2001, where he established the Optical Microsystems Laboratory(OML). He held visiting Professor positions in Boğaziçi University, Cambridge University,and Stanford University.
Prof. Urey is a leading figure in optical MEMS and displaytechnologies, having authored over 200 publications and holding more than 60issued and pending patents. His inventions have led to the creation of fivespin-off companies and various products in augmented reality, novel displaysand biomedical devices. He is the recipient of several awards and prestigiousgrants including the ERC Advanced Grant and the EIC-Transition Grant. He is anelected member of the Science Academy of Turkey and Fellow of OPTICA.
Host: John Kymissis