International recognition from the IEEE Communications Society for Prof. Piero Castoldi for excellence in research and innovation in the field of optical networks
Prof. Piero Castoldi, Director of the Institute of Telecommunications, Computer Engineering and Photonics (TeCIP), has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Outstanding Technical Achievement Award conferred by the Optical Networking Technical Committee (ONTC) of the IEEE Communications Society.
The award, which carries international significance, recognizes Prof. Castoldi’s pioneering contributions in research on the control and management of optical networks, a field in which he has been active for more than twenty years. The ONTC highlighted how his scientific contributions and continued commitment have had a substantial impact on advancing technologies and innovation in high-capacity optical communication networks.
The official award ceremony will take place during the ONTC meeting on 16 December 2025, during which the Committee will present and celebrate this year’s award recipients.
Prof. Castoldi’s research has made a major contribution to the evolution of high-speed communication infrastructures, enabling the development of more efficient, intelligent and reliable optical network architectures. Since joining the School in 2001, Prof. Castoldi has focused on the control architecture of optical networks, studying in particular how to automatically “repair” signal degradations in the optical domain.
He later guided the development of new optical network architectures that support automated traffic control and management even in the presence of faults, reducing the need for maintenance and manual intervention. More recently, he has investigated how optical networks can support the development of modern 5G and, looking ahead, 6G mobile radio systems. Throughout these research activities, he has consistently collaborated with leading manufacturers in the sector and with several European telecommunications operators. His work continues to shape international research perspectives and inspire new generations of engineers and scholars.
L' Optical Networking Technical Committee (ONTC) of the IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) serves as ComSoc’s reference committee for optical networking technologies. The Technical Committee plays an active role in fostering and organizing cutting-edge symposia, workshops, sessions and tutorials on optical networks at major scientific events (such as OFC, Globecom and ICC) and in coordinating timely publications in ComSoc journals and periodicals. The ONTC also acts as a proactive facilitator in disseminating new knowledge and promoting optical networking standards, working in close collaboration with key standardization bodies.
