As we continue to witness the advancement of the frontiers of optics and photonics, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the community for your steadfast support of Photonics Research. Your commitment—as authors, reviewers, and readers—ensures that this journal remains a reputable platform for disseminating innovative and important research.

In this editorial, I am excited to introduce the first article in a new interview series that aims to celebrate the achievements of outstanding women across diverse areas in optics and photonics. This initiative reflects our dedication to promoting excellence and inclusion within STEM fields. While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in many scientific disciplines, including optics and photonics. Through these interviews, we aim to honor the achievements of remarkable female leaders and foster an inclusive environment that inspires the next generation of scientists.

The inaugural interview features Prof. Yidong Huang, a globally recognized expert in optoelectronics and a visionary leader whose contributions extend beyond academia into successful entrepreneurship. I want to invite you to explore Prof. Huang’s interview in this issue. In the interview, Prof. Huang offers invaluable insights into her career journey—sharing personal reflections on her path into science, the challenges she encountered, and her strategies for overcoming them. These reflections illustrate how leadership, perseverance, and creativity can intersect to create meaningful impact.

The goal of this interview series is to provide readers with insights that extend beyond scientific achievements. Each interview offers a window into the experiences, values, and inspirations of leading scientists in our field. Whether the focus is on breakthroughs in laser technologies, advancements in quantum optics, or novel approaches in biomedical imaging, these stories reflect the diversity and richness of research in optics and photonics.

Through this series, we also hope to create a resource that inspires young scientists—particularly women—by sharing stories of resilience and success. From understanding how to navigate early career challenges to learning the process of technology transfer, readers will find valuable lessons that can support them in their own careers. Each scientist profiled in this series embodies what it means to push boundaries, transform ideas into reality, and lead with purpose. As this series continues, we look forward to featuring more remarkable individuals whose journeys will inspire and inform the next generation of leaders in optics and photonics.

We believe this series will serve as an invaluable resource for those seeking inspiration from individuals who have navigated societal challenges throughout their careers and still made significant contributions to their field. Female scientists, who remain underrepresented in optics and photonics, are a powerful example, encouraging others to pursue their ambitions.

Thank you once again for your continued engagement with our journal. Together, let us celebrate the achievements of today’s leaders while building a more inclusive and innovative future for our field.