In this blog Ben Hanley, chair of the Opening up Photonics steering committee interviews Eleni Margariti, who holds a PhD in Physics and works as a research scientist specialising in hybrid integrated opto-electronic systems and devices.

In part one of this blog series, Eleni discusses how she discovered her passion for working in the space between academics and industry and her passion for solving the early-stage problems that make technology translatable from lab to manufacturing.

How did you begin your career?

I am from Athens, Greece, and I hold a university degree from the Physics Department at the University of Crete. During my studies there, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant at the Foundation of Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). I joined the Ultrafast Laser Micro and Nano Processing (ULMN) group, which marked my first real exposure to photonics beyond the theoretical courses at university.

My work primarily involved laser micro-machining on various materials. Initially, I focused on applications in tissue engineering, but my main project later shifted towards memory glass applications. Through this experience, I became familiar with high-precision fabrication techniques and the interactions between photonics and materials.

After completing my undergraduate studies, I moved back to Athens to pursue a Master’s degree in Microsystems and Nanodevices at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). During my master’s, I deepened my understanding of device fabrication. My project centred on laser ablation and printing techniques, which led me to work on laser-based interconnects and the packaging of electronic and photonic circuit boards. This experience pushed me further towards applied research and process innovation.

When I moved to the UK, it was to pursue my PhD, and I am currently a member of the Integrated Optics group at the Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde. My research focuses on the integration of photonics with electronic systems, which I believe is one of the most critical challenges in the field today. At present, we have not yet reached the stage of fully pure photonic systems. Instead, we rely on a hybrid integration that combines electronics and photonics, including sensory components.

My work specifically focuses on the fabrication and transfer printing of microdevices at scale. The key challenge is how to transfer not just one device at a time, but let’s say 10, 1,000, or even 10,000 devices efficiently. This is especially important for real-world applications, such as next-generation microLED displays, where millions of individual devices from different substrates need to be integrated onto a single platform and then combined with the electronic backplanes.

During my PhD, I developed a novel method for what we call mass transfer printing. This technique is based on continuous roll-transfer printing, which enables the transfer of tens of thousands of micro-devices in less than 10 seconds with positional accuracy better than one micron. I continued to refine this method, demonstrating that it is highly repeatable in terms of both accuracy and yield.

What are you working on now?

For the past two years, I have been working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Strathclyde, focusing on bridging the gap between academia and industry. My main goal has been to explore how to commercialize this technology — how to transform a working research prototype into a viable product. This experience has been invaluable because it has taught me how to communicate my research effectively to different audiences. Whether speaking to scientists, sales professionals, or investors, I have learned how to tailor my message to secure support and funding.

My approach to research is always driven by the question: Can this technology be used in the real world? Can it be scaled up? In photonics, we face significant challenges in implementing new technologies on a large scale. To make a meaningful contribution, I believe it’s essential to develop methods that integrate seamlessly into existing systems, both in terms of technical compatibility and cost-effectiveness.

Over the last two years, I have actively engaged with investment bids and funding programs aimed at commercializing photonics technologies, including applications in quantum imaging and sensing. I manage communications with industry partners, establish collaborations, and lead outreach efforts to connect academia with industry.

I believe it is crucial to engage, go out and talk to professionals from diverse fields. For example, by presenting my mass transfer method for microLEDs at conferences and meetings, I’ve been able to learn how I can use this technology in different applications and connect various pieces of the technology puzzle. This broad perspective helps me better understand real-world needs and challenges.

Ultimately, what drives me is the desire to conduct research that has a tangible impact — research that can make a difference beyond the laboratory.

So what’s the end goal for you?

Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher focused on developing more scalable integrated photonic devices. Over the past year, I spent most of my time—about 70%—working on the business and entrepreneurial aspects, including communication and networking, while the remaining 30% was dedicated to research.

I did consider launching a start-up based on this work and still believe there is strong potential for it. However, I realised there is a trade-off between the time spent on financing and building the business versus the time spent on actual research and development.

Through this experience, I discovered that my true passion lies more in the technology development phase rather than in the business side. Both are equally important, but I just enjoy being the person who makes something work technically and practically. I’m particularly interested in developing solutions that can seamlessly integrate into existing ecosystems. I want to continue working at the intersection where research meets manufacturing.

What I enjoy most is solving the early-stage challenges that enable technology to move from the lab to manufacturing — essentially bridging the gap between academia and industry. This includes refining techniques, validating scalability, and making technologies practical enough for others to commercialise.

How did the degrees and the PhD help you become that?

I wanted to do a PhD because I just wanted to go beyond just standing existing knowledge. I wanted to contribute something new and do work that is meaningful and useful. I believe that it is important. I know that there is a common opinion that if you want to go to industry, you shouldn’t pursue a PhD.

From my experience in industry, I’ve noticed that PhD qualifications are often not viewed as equivalent to practical work experience. Many companies prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree plus a couple of years of industry experience over someone coming straight out of a PhD.

The PhD gives you the opportunity to become independent, to take a project from idea to implementation, develop a solution and see it through completion. I believe that beyond the technical work a PhD teaches you so much more. How to think critically, break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts, plan methodically, and adapt when things don’t go as expected. So it is everything. You develop discipline, how to manage your time in your projects, prioritise safety and quality when you work in labs as well, and how to communicate your work to the outside world. In a way for me the PhD takes all my thoughts or all my curiosity and give them direction.

Ultimately, how much you gain from a PhD depends on the individual — how well you take advantage of the opportunities it offers. I consider the PhD as a transformative learning experience.