Dr. Markus Kogel-Hollacher started his work in the laser industry in 1994 at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (Aachen). After graduating from RWTH Aachen University in 1996, he continued his work at Precitec in Germany. This work has been extensively discussed in several journals and presented at various conferences. In 2008 he obtained his Ph.D. at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. Dr. Markus Kogel-Hollacher is an innovator in photonic sensor technology for various applications. Working together with RTD performers and end users one of his guiding principles is to continuously increase the reliability and the use of process monitoring and process control devices in laser materials processing. Dr. Kogel-Hollacher has received the prestigious PRISM Award in 2023 for his innovation bringing OCT sensor technology into semiconductor industry. In 2012 and 2014 he was finalist of the European Innovation Award Laser Technology. In 2024, he was awarded the honor of being one of the 100 photonics industry’s most innovative people.