[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/SzymanskiandWilson.jpg”]Ted Szymanski, an associate professor of electrical & computer engineering, has been appointed as the L. R. Wilson/BCE Chair in Data Communications.

Szymanski, a member of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering since 1999, is a leader in data networks research and recognized internationally for his work in intelligent optical systems.

His appointment was announced yesterday at the official opening of the Information Technology Building (ITB).

McMaster President Peter George congratulated Szymanski on his appointment as chairholder.

“Our faculty members are the backbone of scholarship and education at McMaster,” said George, noting that Szymanski “brings to the position expertise in intelligent optical systems.”

Szymanski directed the development of two of the most functionally-advanced optoelectronic integrated circuits in the world. He is the primary system architect in a 10-year program to develop an advanced optical backplane for high bandwidth telecommunications and computing. Szymanski, in collaboration with researchers from McGill University, University of Toronto and Heriot Watt University in the United Kingdom, hope to demonstrate in 2002 a state-of-the-art advanced optical computing system.

Szymanski has also contributed to the development and teaching of an intensive course to train industry engineers in the design and development of silicon integrated circuits; the course has been used to train engineers from companies across Canada.

Szymanski is currently developing a graduate course dealing with the design of VLSI digital integrated circuits at McMaster University.

PHOTO: Lynton (Red) Wilson (L), chair of Nortel Networks Corp. and CAE Inc. congratulated Ted Szymanski on his new appointment at the official opening of the Information Technology Building.

Photo by Ron Scheffler