A Tribute to Transformative Leadership
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Article by James Badham, Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering
After thirty-eight years as a professor at UC Santa Barbara, John Bowers is retiring. Bowers, a pioneer in lasers, photonics, and photonic integrated circuits (PICs), has served as director of the Institute for Energy Efficiency (IEE) at UCSB since it was founded in 2008 and is also a Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Materials, and Technology Management at UCSB.
As an emeritus professor, Bowers will have far fewer administrative responsibilities and will not teach, but don’t expect to see less of the Fred Kavli Chair in Nanotechnology around campus, for in his view, much remains for him to do.
“I plan to continue to do research, particularly in silicon photonics,” says Bowers, who served as deputy director of the American Institute of Manufacturing of Integrated Photonics, which is focused on driving low-cost, high-volume CMOS processing of PICs. “The problem of energy consumption and its impact on climate change is more important now than ever, and I can't abandon that research. I want to continue working with small companies and helping the Technology Management Department at UCSB continue with its important mission. While my group is getting smaller, I will still have a few graduate students and postdocs, and to mentor and meet with students as needed.”
Bowers will be succeeded as IEE director by his longtime colleague, materials professor Steven DenBaars, who is also co-director of the Solid State Lighting and Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC) at UCSB.
“The IEE has become one of the most important interdisciplinary research centers at UCSB, focusing on energy-efficient technologies that have real-world impact, from data centers to lighting, computing, and sustainable manufacturing,” DenBaars said. “Under John’s leadership, it has grown significantly in scope and reputation, bringing together faculty from engineering, physics, and materials science to tackle energy challenges. John deserves tremendous credit for fostering a collaborative environment and for championing industry engagement, which has amplified our research impact.”
“John Bowers is an academic Renaissance man: a stellar academic researcher, a successful serial entrepreneur and an innovative academic curriculum and institutional leader, COE dean, Umesh Mishra. “In spite of his commitments, John is also very kind and generous with his time — a role model for students and colleagues alike. His impact on UCSB is immeasurable. I want to be like him when I grow up.” Please read on here.
From all of us here in IEE -
We honor your remarkable legacy of exceptional leadership and transformative influence as the founding director of UC Santa Barbara’s Institute for Energy Efficiency. Your visionary guidance laid the foundation for an institute that stands today as a model of innovation, sustainability, and interdisciplinary excellence. Through your tireless dedication, you inspired generations of researchers, faculty, and students to tackle the world’s most pressing energy challenges with boldness and purpose. Your impact extends far beyond campus, shaping global progress toward a more efficient and sustainable future. Your contributions will remain a lasting cornerstone of the Institute’s identity and mission. We thank you!
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