UD alumnus Welch to speak at electrical and computer engineering event

2:42 p.m., Feb. 27, 2014--University of Delaware alumnus David Welch will deliver the keynote address at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Research Day on Wednesday, March 5, at 3:30 p.m. at Clayton Hall.

Welch, who received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UD in 1981, is co-founder and president of Infinera Corp., a global optical telecommunications company.

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His lecture, titled “Disruptive Innovation in the Telecommunications Market,” will discuss the evolution of the telecommunications market, including how optics have displaced traditional telecommunications technologies.

The lecture, which is part of the ECE’s 2013-14 Distinguished Lecture Series, will include the story of photonic integration and Infinera. 

Welch is a fellow of the Optical Society (OSA) and IEEE, and holds more than 130 patents. 

Widely regarded in the optical communications field, he is a recipient of the Adolph Lomb Medal, the Joseph Fraunhofer Award and the John Tyndall Award.

Research Day activities will begin at 2 p.m. at Clayton Hall. Students will open with undergraduate and graduate poster presentations and senior capstone design project showcases.

Welch will speak at 3:30 p.m., after which faculty will present the following alumni awards:

• Distinguished Achievement Award – David Welch, Class of 1981, co-founder and president, Infinera Corp.
• Entrepreneurial Innovation Award – Mark Melillo, Class of 1982, CEO, Melillo Consulting.
• Outstanding Service Award – Kristofer J. Roe, who received a bachelor’s degree in 1995, a master’s degree in 1997 and a doctorate in 2001, director of R&D Imaging, Smiths Detection.
• Young Alumni Achievement Award – James E. Orr IV, who received a bachelor’s degree in 2001 and a master’s degree in 2004, Apple.

A reception will follow.

For more information about ECE Research Day, click here.