Alex Solntsev is Professor in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at UTS and Associate Head of School (Research). He leads the Nonlinear Quantum Photonics Laboratory, where his team works across quantum photonics, nonlinear optics and nanophotonics. His research focuses on how light can be generated, controlled and measured in engineered optical structures, including entangled-photon sources, metasurfaces and integrated photonic platforms, with applications in quantum sensing, spectroscopy, secure communications and on-chip information processing.

His research has been published in leading journals including Science, Nature Photonics, Nano Letters and Physical Review Letters. Alongside fundamental discovery, he has built a strong translation-focused program spanning health, defence and emerging photonic technologies, supported by competitive funding from sources including the Australian Research Council, Defence Innovation Network, Sydney Quantum Academy and the Critical Technologies Challenge Program.

At UTS, Alex combines research excellence with institutional leadership. Since 2021, as Associate Head of School (Research), he has helped strengthen research culture and performance in the School through initiatives that support peer review, mentoring, collegiality and research development. This work has included improving internal grant review processes, creating platforms that raise the visibility of research, and supporting staff and students to develop ambitious and competitive research programs.

He is also committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers. His leadership has supported early-career researchers, higher degree research candidates and undergraduate students, helping them build confidence, capability and strong research trajectories. More broadly, he contributes to the visibility of optics and photonics through invited talks, public engagement and service to the research community. His contributions to research leadership and development were recognised with the 2025 UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award for Research Leadership and Development.