Dr. Mark Spencer earns distinguished alumni award

Air Force Research Laboratory’s Dr. Mark Spencer was recognized in a ceremony at the Air Force Institute of Technology and the AFIT Foundation.

Spencer, was one of five graduates to receive distinguished alumni awards at a ceremony in AFIT’s Kenney Auditorium. Dr. Spencer received his PhD in

Optical Sciences and Engineering in 2014, and M.S. Optical Sciences and Engineering in 2011.

Spencer is a senior research physicist in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate. Spencer is a significant

contributor to the state of the art in optics and photonics having authored more than 100 technical publications, one textbook, one book chapter, 35 journal articles, 64 conference papers, and holds three U.S. patents.

He has led 40 projects with funding in excess of $40 million that continue to develop and transition directed-energy technology with an emphasis on beam control for laser systems. As an AFIT student, Spencer founded AFIT’s SPIE Student Chapter, which won numerous awards during his tenure. He continues to support the chapter as a professional advisor and sponsor.