Kenju Otsuka | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Dr. Kenju Otsuka | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kenju Otsuka | TS3L Research | Japan

The nomination highlights an accomplished researcher whose work spans laser physics, quantum electronics, self-mixing laser metrology, and nonlinear optical dynamics. Their academic background reflects decades of contributions to the development of advanced solid-state laser systems and the fundamental understanding of dynamic behavior in optical environments. The researcher has completed significant investigations, including the invention of stoichiometric laser crystals enabling highly efficient microchip lasers, as well as pioneering methods for controlling transverse laser modes through pump-beam modulation. Their studies on nonlinear dynamics—such as antiphase behavior, clustering phenomena, and chaotic itinerancy—have shaped theoretical and experimental approaches in optical complex systems. Current research focuses on advancing self-mixing metrology using thin-slice solid-state lasers with ultra-high sensitivity for measuring non-cooperative objects. This includes groundbreaking progress on laser-diode-pumped ruby lasers designed for extreme-precision sensing applications. The researcher has led several major projects in this domain, including development of thin-slice Cr:Al₂O₃ lasers aimed at pushing the limits of metrological sensitivity. Their scholarly output is extensive, with thousands of citations, numerous indexed journal publications, authored book chapters, and a monograph on nonlinear optical dynamics. They also hold multiple patents related to laser technologies, reflecting a strong innovation portfolio. The researcher has maintained active collaborations with leading scientists and institutions, contributing significantly to the global optics and photonics community. In addition to research achievements, they have served in editorial roles and hold prestigious fellowships in internationally recognized scientific societies, acknowledging their influence in laser science, photonic device engineering, and nonlinear dynamics. Their contributions to self-mixing laser metrology, laser mode manipulation, and the exploration of complex optical behaviors continue to advance precision measurement and optical system design.

Profiles:  Orcid | Google Scholar | LinkedIn | Research Gate

Featured Publications

Otsuka, K., & Sudo, S. (2025). Harmonics-assisted 50-fold optical phase amplification with a self-mixing thin-slice Nd:GdVO₄ laser with wide-aperture laser-diode pumping. Photonics, 12(11), Article 1098. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12111098

Sudo, S., & Otsuka, K. (2025). Evaluation of thermal expansion of elastomer using self-mixing vibrometry with thin-slice solid laser. Journal of Applied Physics, 138(4), Article 0281888. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0281888

Sudo, S., & Otsuka, K. (2024). Self-mixing thinly sliced ruby laser for laser Doppler velocimetry with high optical sensitivity. Optics Continuum, 3(11), Article 532807. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTCON.532807

Otsuka, K., & Sudo, S. (2023). Spiking ruby revisited: Self-induced periodic spiking oscillations leading to chaotic state in a Cr:Al₂O₃ laser with cw 532-nm pumping. Optics Continuum, 2(9), Article 497640. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTCON.497640

Otsuka, K., & Sudo, S. (2023). Erratum: Nonlinear dynamics of a self-mixing thin-slice solid-state laser subjected to Doppler-shifted optical feedback [Phys. Rev. E, 104, 044203 (2021)]. Physical Review E, 108(3), 039901. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.108.039901

Otsuka, K., & Sudo, S. (2022). Self-mixing interference in a thin-slice solid-state laser with few feedback photons per observation period. Physical Review A, 106(5), 053504. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.106.053504

Walter Schumm | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Prof. Dr. Walter Schumm | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Walter Schumm | Kansas State University | United States

Dr. Walter R. Schumm, Emeritus Professor of Applied Family Science at Kansas State University, is a distinguished scholar whose academic and professional journey spans over four decades of teaching, research, and service. With a Ph.D. in Family Studies from Purdue University and a strong foundation in research methods and statistics, Dr. Schumm has made significant contributions to the fields of family science, human sexuality, social research integrity, and military leadership studies. Throughout his tenure at Kansas State University, he taught a wide range of courses in family theory, research methodology, and marriage education, while mentoring numerous master’s and doctoral students. Beyond academia, Dr. Schumm’s career reflects a remarkable blend of scholarship and service, having held multiple leadership positions in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, where he earned commendations for excellence in logistics, mobilization planning, and unit command. His research portfolio includes influential works on same-sex parenting, research ethics, and statistical integrity in social science, with publications in journals such as Accountability in Research, The Linacre Quarterly, and The Journal of Human Sexuality. A Fellow of the National Council on Family Relations and recipient of multiple awards—including the President’s Award from the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity—Dr. Schumm continues to be recognized for his analytical rigor, ethical insight, and contributions to both social science and public service.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Schumm, W. R., Bloomstrom, G., Theodore, V. P., & Roy, R. N. (2025). Reliability and validation of US Army-oriented brief work-to-family and family-to-work conflict scales: An email sample of 262 Army career officers. Social Sciences.

Schumm, W. R., Brady, A. C., Solis, D., Cerny, J., Mann, M., & Francis, M., et al. (2023). Daily response of vital signs to COVID-19 infection: A case study of an unvaccinated 70-year-old male with type II diabetes treated with monoclonal antibodies and selected supplements. American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research, 19(4), 428.

Schumm, W. R. (2023). A further examination of excesses or deficits of terminal zeroes in scientific research: Using binomial testing to assess probabilities for different anomaly classifications as evidence of data fabrication or falsification. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 52(4), 43992–43995.

Schumm, W. R. (2022). A re-analysis of data from Sullins, Rosik, and Santero (2021): Are sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) helpful for those who don’t change? F1000Research, 11, [version 1; peer review: awaiting publication].

Schumm, W. R., & Rosik, C. H. (2022). A critical review of the 2021 APA [American Psychological Association] resolution on sexual orientation change efforts. Noble International Journal of Social Sciences Research, 7(2), 40–51.