Title: Rhines Endowed Chair and Director of the Florida Semiconductor Institute
Company: University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, Florida, United States
Professor Volker J. Sorger, PhD, Rhines endowed chair and director of the Florida Semiconductor Institute at the University of Florida, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in engineering.
With nearly 20 years of experience to his credit, Mr. Sorger has excelled as director and Rhines endowed chair of the Florida Semiconductor Institute at the University of Florida since 2023. He began his career as a novel-device intern at Intel in 2006. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the NSF Nanoscience and Engineering Center at the University of California, Berkeley from 2011 to 2012. He contributed to George Washington University as an assistant professor from 2012 to 2017, associate professor from 2017 to 2023, director of the Institute for Photonics and Artificial Intelligence in the School of Engineering and Applied Science from 2021 to 2023, and full professor since 2022. He garnered a stellar reputation as chief technology officer at BitGrid Software Solutions from 2014 to 2016 and as founder at Optelligence Company since 2020.
Before embarking on his professional path, Mr. Sorger pursued an education at The University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Master of Arts in physics and flash-memory devices in 2005. He concluded his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a PhD in energy research, optoelectronics, and materials research in 2011. He obtained a certificate in management of technology from the Walter A. Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and is a licensed pilot. In addition to his primary vocation, he remains affiliated with various organizations in relation to his areas of expertise. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, OSA, and MRS.
In light of his impressive undertakings, Mr. Sorger has accrued several accolades throughout his career. He was presented with the 2023 Maria Goeppert-Mayer Award by the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, the Science Medal by the International Association of Advanced Materials, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. He was an astronaut selection finalist with the European Space Agency and named to the Top 1% for worldwide recognition for work on an artificial intelligence photonic chip.
In the immediate future, Mr. Sorger’s goal is to make Florida the national leader and epicenter in advanced chip packaging for the next generation of chips. He plans to achieve this with the help of the state, and federal government, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy. He envisions creating private-public partnerships with large corporations. He aims to secure a provost role in academia, and public service, or be involved in politics as a congressman or senator. Ultimately, he aspires to be a smaller version of Nvidia.
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