Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
Faces of Technology Alexandre Y. Fong Gooch and Housego | www.goochandhousego.com Senior Vice President, Life Science and Instrumentation, Business Development Education: B.S., Combined Honors Program in Physics and Applied Computational Mathematical Science, York University (Toronto); M.S. in Physics, York University; MBA, University of Florida Warrington College of Business Company: The Life Sciences and Instrumentation division of Gooch and Housego is a world leader in optical radiation measurement solutions. The company designs and manufactures light measurement systems that provide accurate, repeatable, research-grade measurements for research, academia, industry and the military. If not for a pointed question from a university professor, Alexandre Y. Fong may have pursued a life in academia. Instead, he joined a photonics com- pany known as a world leader in optical radiation measurement. A lifelong interest in physics had led Fong to York University in Toronto. While writing his master's thesis and preparing to pursue his doctorate, his professor and work su- pervisor asked, "So why do you want your Ph.D.?" Fong could only answer with another question, "What else is there to do?" The answer changed his career trajectory: "Work for my company." So while many aspiring scien- tists were going on interviews, Fong stepped straight from defending his master's thesis into a full-time job, and soon he was traveling the world to manage complex engineering projects. It was exciting work. "I was go- ing to Japan, to projects in Europe. I spent six weeks living in Sweden do- ing something for the Swedish navy," said Fong. Today, the work continues to be exciting because of the variety of hats Fong wears as senior vice presi- dent of life science and instrumen- tation and business development for Gooch and Housego (formerly Optronic Laboratories). His com- pany is a pioneer in the creation of life sciences and biomedical imaging platforms that have the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics. "In the same day I might be man- aging my team, testing a product, re- viewing a contract, writing a proposal or helping a customer," said Fong. The variety shows in the compa- ny's products as well, with photonics- based solutions to speed testing and diagnostics in everything from industrial to biomedical and R&D applications. "In the case of our spectral imaging platform, that means faster determination of pathology and earlier treatment. For industrial tools … it means higher production rates for consumer products." For Fong, the love of photonics extends to efforts encouraging more young people to consider photonics careers through the Florida Photonics Cluster, which he serves as president. "I've always come back to photonics because it was always the coolest thing you could possibly be doing." It's pretty clear that if a student ever asks, "What else is there to do," he'll have a ready answer. florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 47