Software-defined networking (SDN) is an emerging technology that decouples network control from forwarding, making the network programmable to simplify management and enable fast provisioning. While SDN has traditionally considered small-scale networks and higher-layer applications, our research focuses on extending SDN to large-scale optical networks and the fundamental photonic, WDM, SONET/SDH and OTN layers. From the optical core to metro, access, datacenter and mobile backhaul/fronthaul segments, we are leading the charge in software-defined optical networking through innovative network virtualization and programmability via OpenFlow-enabled control of all major optical elements, including adaptive optical amplifiers, flex-grid switching elements and multi-degree transponders.