John M. Ballato received his Ph.D. in Ceramic and Materials Science and Engineering from Rutgers in 1997, under the direction of Professor Richard Riman. Dr. Ballato moved directly to a faculty position at Clemson University, where he is currently Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies. His contributions have focused on understanding the science and engineering of materials important for optical and optoelectronic applications. As part of this effort Dr. Ballato has made significant contributions to the understanding of high rare-earth content optical fibers, high quantum-efficiency lanthanide halide glasses and crystals, nonlinear and active borate crystals, organic light emitting diodes, and flouropolymers with optical properties.