Youcef Ouerdane defended his first thesis in atomic and molecular physics and the state doctorate thesis (es-sciences physique) from the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France, in 1983 and 1986, respectively. He has been a Professor at Jean Monnet University, Saint-Étienne, France, since 1994. His research topics focus on radiation-matter interaction, structural and optical modifications of silica-based materials in harsh environments, fiber optic sensors, fiber lasers, and fiber amplifiers.