Prof Dr. Raymond Ooi is a quantum physicist with outstanding scholastic achievements. The novelty of his research is the unique combinations of different ideas or topics covering quantum optics, nonlinear optics, plasmonics, molecular spectroscopy, statistical physics of Bose-Einstein condensates and interactions with intense laser pulses.

Prof Dr. Raymond Ooi is well recognized in his field, internationally and locally, evidenced by the international and national awards he has received. The Nobel Committee for Physics on behalf of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences invited him as a nominator for “The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2021”.  In 2025 he was elected a Fellow of OPTICA for the development of quantum theoretical framework (Heisenberg-Langevin theory) on nonclassical photon correlations in Raman and quantum plasmonic systems. He is the first Malaysian to be elected a Fellow by OPTICA, the leading global professional society for scientists, engineers, and professionals, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions in optics and photonics (the science of light). In 2013 he won the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Science & Technology Award. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in 2015, and has been actively contributing his knowledge, ideas and opinions through activities/events in the Academy. He is also an elected Fellow of Academy of Engineering and Technology of the Developing World (AETDEW). He was a Visiting Professor at Nanyang Technological University in 2015-2019.

Raymond Ooi obtained his Dr.rer.nat (PhD) from Universitaet Konstanz, Germany in 2003. He spent 3 years as a postdoc at Texas A&M University, was a regular Visiting Scientist at Princeton University and Max-Planck Institut fuer Quantenoptik, and has collaborated with reputed leaders in quantum physics. He has contributed to the theory of strong fields interactions, particularly generalized Keldysh’s theory of photoionization while at KAIST and Korea University. In 2010, he made a sacrifice to return and develop quantum optics research for Malaysia, initiated "Quantum and Laser Science" research center at Universiti Malaya. Despite being a theorist, he recognizes the importance of experimentation and has secured a High Impact Research grant and single-handedly developed experimental lab on quantum and laser science, including Ultrafast High Intensity Femtosecond Laser and Optics facility.

He was awarded the Long-Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS) in 2020-2025 awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education. As the Principal Investigator he leads the national quantum communication research program. He was also engaged in several interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary project including brain research, green technology and poverty alleviation. He has 2 patents on harnessing green energy.

Prof Dr Raymond Ooi has pioneered quantum optics and technology research and education in Malaysia, developed an undergraduate course on Quantum Optics and a postgraduate course on Quantum Technology. Besides being invited/plenary speaker at more than 35 international conferences, he regularly gave open public Seminars and Workshops to inspire students and the public on the wonders of quantum science and technology.

Prof Dr Raymond Ooi is recognized globally, was invited a Guest of Honour at 6th Science & Technology Program (STEP) and Mustafa Prize Award ceremony, Tehran, Iran in 2019.  In 2018, he successfully initiated and chaired the first international conference on Quantum and Nonlinear Optics(QNO2018) attended by many luminaries in the field through the support of three external funds. 

He served as a Judge for MIT Technology Review “Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific” and editorial board member for the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A and the New Journal of Physics (IOP). He published a book “The Way of Creation, Nature & Life: Physics and Mathematics Perspectives”, and has written articles in the media, connecting science with recent issues, green energy and climate change.