Dr. Leo Young has devoted his professional life to the progress of science and technology. He has published more than 100 referenced papers, holds 20 patents, and has authored, coauthored, or edited 14 books. He co-wrote a 1100-page reference book entitled “Microwave Filters, Impedance-Matching Networks, and Coupling Structures”, which still sells well after 40 years, has been translated into Russian and Chinese, and is frequently referred to as “the Bible.”

As Director for Research in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Young played a key role in devising and implementing numerous programs, such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which maximized the utilization of small businesses in advancing science and technology applications, and the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), which promoted cooperative research between government and academia.
Dr. Young has served on numerous committees and has advised policymakers on issues relating to science and technology. When Congress mandated an annual Defense Critical Technology Plan in 1989, Dr. Young chaired a Steering Committee and through it organized a team of roughly 500 scientists and engineers to contribute. He steered the Plan through the DoD approval process and testified on it before Congress.

Dr. Young holds a Ph.D. in engineering and an MS in electrical engineering from the Johns Hopkins University. He earned an MA in physics and BAs in physics and math from Cambridge University. He has taught at Leeds University; the Israel Institute of Technology; and the Marconi Institute at Bologna University. Dr. Young is a founding member of the National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of Engineering Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable. He is Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and served on the Board of Governors of the American Association of Engineering Societies. He is also a past President and Fellow of the IEEE.

Dr. Young has received numerous fellowships and awards including the IEEE’s Microwave Prize, Citation of Honor, Distinguished Service Award, Centennial Award, and the Microwave Career Award. Dr. Young received the Naval Research Laboratory Outstanding Performance Award, a Letter of Appreciation from Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and several Senior Executive Service Bonus Awards. In 2001, Dr. Young received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Distinguished Government Service.