Jim Grote, BSEE ’78, performs advanced materials and avionics research at both the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, where he recently retired after 40 years and now, as an independent consultant, works with various companies and universities worldwide. His studies have included evaluating optical materials for laser gyros, optical lithography, optical interconnects, electro-optic and optical devices. He is currently developing DNA-based biopolymers for electronics and optoelectronics applications. Grote has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati, Wright State University and University of Dayton. He is a fellow of the Optical Society of America, the International Society for Optical Engineering, the European Optical Society, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he was also honored with numerous awards in avionics and materials and manufacturing. Grote also received the Fritz J. Russ Bioengineering Award from the Dayton chapter of IEEE.