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Awards
NASA honors Lincoln Laboratory researchers
NASA Group Achievement Award
Nineteen Lincoln Laboratory employees are among the recipients of the 2008 NASA Group Achievement Award for their participation in the Joint Flight Demonstration Test conducted in 2006 at NASA Ames Research Center in California. The award, presented to the team by Dr. S. Pete Worden (Brig Gen, USAF, ret.) at a ceremony held 11 June at the Ames Center, recognizes "exemplary performance in completing a series of flight tests comparing and validating air-to-air measurements between two separate airborne infrared sensor systems."
The Lincoln Laboratory recipients of this award are Dr. Kevin Cohen, Victor Cyrkler, Mehul Dhorajia, Allyn Dullighan, James Dunn, Kenneth Gregson, Kevin Johnson, Danial Lane, Charles Magnarelli, Robert Maynard, Bonnie McKowen, Lance Michael, Walter Moquin, James Morrissey, Robert Murray, Dr. Eliahu Niewood, Albert Theriault, Dr. James Truitt, and David Ventura.
2007 Paul F. Holloway Non-Aerospace Technology Transfer Award
Dr. Marilyn M. Wolfson, Dr. Haig Iskenderian, and Earle R. Williams of Lincoln Laboratory's Weather Sensing Group are among the recipients of the 2007 Paul F. Holloway Non-Aerospace Technology Transfer Award for their participation on the NASA Advanced Satellite Aviation-Weather Products Project Team. The award, which was presented at the Langley Research Center Honor Awards ceremony held on 17 July at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia, recognizes outstanding contributions to the development of new technology and significant participation in technology transfer activities.
Posted November 2008
R. Louis Bellaire receives Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service
Dr. R. Louis Bellaire, Assistant Leader in the Advanced Concepts and Technology Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, has been presented with an Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service for his distinguished service as Sensors Directorate Chief Engineer and Acting Technical Director, Deputy for Test Integration and Fielding, Missile Defense Agency, from September 2006 to February 2008.
During his service with the Missile Defense Agency, Dr. Bellaire assembled and led a cohesive team of scientists and engineers who delivered a synchronized sensors architecture that ensured a successful satellite engagement. He was commended for producing a viable, executable plan for each phase of this mission.
Dr. Bellaire joined Lincoln Laboratory in 1996. His work has focused on radar discrimination, tracking, and data fusion for ballistic missile defense applications. He has extensive experience in ground-based and sea-based missile defense systems, and from 2003 to 2006 he led the Laboratory's Forward Based Radar testbed program. Dr. Bellaire holds a BS degree in electrical engineering from Washington University and MSEE and PhD degrees in control systems and signal processing from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Posted November 2008
Grant H. Stokes receives Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Dr. Grant H. Stokes, Head of the Aerospace Division at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, was honored with the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his four years of service to the Air Force Science Advisory Board (AFSAB). The award was presented to him during the board's meeting on 7 and 8 October.
Lincoln Laboratory members of the AFSAB—Dr. Hsiao-hua Burke, Associate Head of the Aerospace Division; Dr. Robert Shin, Head of the Homeland Protection and Tactical Systems Division; Dr. Eliahu Niewood, Assistant Head of the Engineering Division; and Dr. Jack Fleischman, Leader of the Space Systems Analysis Group—were in attendance at this meeting.
Posted October 2008
Lincoln Laboratory is among the recipients of the 2007 Collier Trophy
The National Aeronautic Association has awarded the 2007 Robert J. Collier Trophy to the Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast team of public and private-sector groups, which included MIT Lincoln Laboratory. The Collier Trophy is awarded annually for "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles." Past winners have included the teams who developed the F-22 Raptor, the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, and the Space Shuttle.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is a system in which each aircraft broadcasts its aircraft-determined position, intent, and status information on the order of once each second. This broadcast position information can be received by other aircraft and by ground stations, providing robust air-to-ground and air-to-air surveillance.
Lincoln Laboratory played a critical role in the conception, development, and testing of ADS-B, and continues to support the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) national implementation program. In 1992, Lincoln Laboratory proposed to the FAA the use of an expanded Mode-S squitter for the transmission of aircraft-derived position. This concept evolved into the current ADS-B that allows aircraft to broadcast and receive ADS-B information using existing transponder equipment. It has been adopted worldwide as the commercial fleet's standard for ADS-B implementation.
The Lincoln Laboratory ADS-B team included Peter G. Amos, Ed Bayliss (retired), D. Jonathan Bernays, Robert E. Boisvert, Walter L. Brown, Richard W. Bush, Steven R. Bussolari, Paul R. Drouilhet, Ann C. Drumm, James M. Flavin, Jeffrey L. Gertz, Robert D. Grappel, Ralph K. Halvorsen, William H. Harman, George Knittel (retired), James K. Kuchar, Raymond R. LaFrey (retired), John A. Maccini, Charles J. Magnarelli, Christopher P. McNeil, Walter A. Moquin, Vincent A. Orlando, W. Michael Radoslovich, Kenneth W. Saunders (former employee), Katherine A. Sinclair, Steven D. Thompson, and M. Loren Wood.
Posted August 2008
Lincoln Laboratory team earns Bike-to-Work Week Award
Lincoln Laboratory joined the Bay State in celebrating Bike-to-Work Week from May 12 to 18. This was the Laboratory’s first year registered as a corporate team. With record participation in the event, Lincoln Laboratory won the challenge for best percentage of participation of employees cycling to work among companies with 1501 to 3000 employees.
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The Lincoln Laboratory Bike-to-Work team won this year's award for having the best percentage of employee participation.The Laboratory had 78 cyclists who pledged 4293 miles, the average trip being 18.5 miles. Of the 129 companies registered for the event, Lincoln Laboratory was the only company located outside of Boston to win an award. Employees who live too far away to bike the entire round trip were encouraged to bike one way or a partial route, using MBTA or carpools for the remainder of the commute.
 Members of the Bike-to-Work team celebrate winning the raised trophy.
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Serpil Ayasli, former researcher at Lincoln Laboratory, receives award for excellence in radar engineering
Dr. Serpil Ayasli, former technical staff member and Associate Group Leader at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, received the 2008 Warren D. White Award for Excellence in Radar Engineering for her contributions to ultra-wideband radar for ground and foliage penetration. This award, granted by the IEEE Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society (AESS), was established "to recognize a radar engineer for outstanding achievements due to a major technical advance, or a series of advances over time, in the art of radar engineering."
Dr. Ayasli, who worked at Lincoln Laboratory from 1982 until her retirement in 2006, served as a technical staff member, assistant group leader, and associate group leader in various groups within the Tactical Systems Technology and the Sensor Systems divisions (now the Homeland Protection/Tactical Systems and the ISR Systems and Technology divisions). Her work at the Laboratory focused on air defense and surface surveillance radar research and development, including radar propagation, clutter modeling, radar system analysis, and foliage penetration (FOPEN) and ground penetration (GPEN) radar.
Dr. Ayasli and her team's work at Lincoln Laboratory led to the first successful experimental proof of the feasibility of an advanced coherent FOPEN radar system that would enable detection and tracking of targets in foliage. Recognizing the importance of keeping the scientific and user communities informed on the development of surface surveillance and FOPEN/GPEN technologies, she instituted a workshop dedicated to those technologies (most recently named Surface Surveillance Technology Workshop) that was held annually at Lincoln Laboratory from 2001 to 2005.
Dr. Ayasli has served as a member of the IEEE/AESS Radar System Panel. She was a corecipient of the IEEE/AESS 1996 M. Barry Carlton Award and was named an IEEE Fellow in 2002. She holds a BS degree in electrical engineering and MS and PhD degrees in physics from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.
Posted July 2008
Lincoln Laboratory earns Superior security rating
The U.S. Air Force 66th Security Forces Squadron awarded Lincoln Laboratory a “Superior” security rating for 2007. This rating was based upon the cumulative results of security inspections conducted on eight technical groups, two divisions, one service department, and the flight facility. These twelve randomly chosen candidates for inspection earned high ratings on comprehensive security reviews performed between January and December 2007. The Laboratory’s continued compliance with National Industrial Security Program requirements has earned it this second consecutive “Superior” rating.
 Shawn Daley, Chief Security Officer (center left), and Eric Evans, Director (center right), display the plaque commending Lincoln Laboratory for attaining a Superior security rating from the Air Force 66th Security Forces Squadron. The staff surrounding them are leaders of the divisions and groups that achieved high ratings in the 2007 security reviews. |
Posted July 2008
David R. Martinez receives Eminent Engineer Award
David R. Martinez, Head of the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Technology Division, received an Eminent Engineer Award from New Mexico State University College of Engineering. The award was presented by Dean Steven P. Castillo during a ceremony held on May 9, 2008. This award is given to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their field of study.
Mr. Martinez joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory in 1988 and was responsible for the development of a large prototype space-time adaptive signal processor. As Division Head, he oversees programs in the development of advanced techniques and prototypes for surface surveillance, laser systems, active and passive adaptive array processing, integrated sensing and decision support, undersea warfare, and embedded hardware and software computing. Before joining the Laboratory, he was a principal research engineer at ARCO Oil and Gas Company, responsible for a multidisciplinary project to demonstrate the viability of real-time adaptive signal processing techniques.
The holder of three U.S. patents, Mr. Martinez served on the Army Science Board from 1999 to 2004. He is the founder and past chairman of a national workshop on high performance embedded computing. He has been an associate editor to the IEEE Signal Processing Magazine. In 2003, he was named an IEEE Fellow; in 2007, he served on the Defense Science Board ISR Task Force.
Mr. Martinez holds a BS degree from New Mexico State University, an MS degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and an EE degree jointly from MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He completed an MBA from the Southern Methodist University and has attended the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Posted June 2008
Antonio F. Pensa named Penn State 2008 Outstanding Engineering Alumnus
Dr. Antonio F. Pensa, Assistant Director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory, was selected a 2008 Outstanding Engineering Alumnus of the Pennsylvania State University. The award, presented at a ceremony on 21 April 2008, is given to alumni who have “reached exceptional levels of professional achievement.”
Dr. Pensa joined Lincoln Laboratory in 1969 and initially worked on reentry systems and air traffic control programs. Subsequently, he was responsible for the development and implementation of the coherent integration tracking that led to the realization of a U.S. operational deep-space radar capability. He was also instrumental in establishing the space surveillance program at Lincoln Laboratory.
Dr. Pensa has served on most of the Air Force Space Surveillance Architecture Studies since 1972 and is considered a national expert in the techniques and sensors associated with surveillance of space and from space. Currently, he is responsible for military space activities, including those in support of the National Reconnaissance Office, and the Laboratory’s space control programs.
A past member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Pensa also served on the Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Force on Space Superiority and the DSB/SAB (Science Advisory Board) Task Force on National Security Space. He is the recipient of the National Reconnaissance Office Director’s Award for Distinguished Service, the Air Force Award for Distinguished Service, and the NASA Group Achievement Award.
Posted June 2008
Lincoln Laboratory's GOES-N Series Team receives NASA Group Achievement Award
The GOES-13 satellite Lincoln Laboratory's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-N Series Team led by Dr. Gregory D. Berthiaume, Leader of the Sensor Technology and System Applications Group, received a Group Achievement Award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator, Michael Griffin. The award, presented by the GOES-N Project Manager Steven Kirkner and the Deputy Project Manager Andre Dress in February 2008, was for "providing the next generation of advanced weather satellites" and for the team’s support to the launch and on-orbit performance verification of the GOES-13 satellite. Team members included Kristin A. Clouser of the Space Control Systems Group, and Joshua Model, Dr. John O. Taylor, and Robert M. Wezalis of the Sensor Technology and System Applications Group.
GOES-13 was handed over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in January 2007 as an operationally ready satellite. This marked the conclusion of a highly successful launch and on-orbit checkout of the first GOES-N series satellite. NOAA assigns a letter to the satellite before it is launched, and a number once it has achieved orbit. For example, GOES-N, once in orbit, is designated GOES-13. GOES-13 will be placed at 105°W, replenishing NOAA’s on-orbit space capability, allowing a rapid recovery of a failed operational GOES satellite.
GOES satellites provide continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. They circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the equatorial plane of the Earth at a speed matching the Earth's rotation. This allows them to hover continuously over one position on the surface. The geosynchronous plane is about 35,800 km (22,300 miles) above the Earth, high enough to allow the satellites a full-disc view of the Earth. Because they stay above a fixed spot on the surface, they provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms, and hurricanes. When these conditions develop, the GOES satellites are able to monitor storm development and track their movements.
GOES satellite imagery (viewable at http://www.goes.noaa.gov/) is also used to estimate rainfall during the thunderstorms and hurricanes for flash flood warnings, as well as to estimate snowfall accumulations and overall extent of snow cover. Such data help meteorologists issue winter storm warnings and spring snow melt advisories. Real-time GOES-13 images can be viewed at http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/ramsdis/online/goes-13.asp.
Posted June 2008
Don Boroson and Bernadette Johnson awarded 2007 Technical Excellence Awards
The 2007 MIT Lincoln Laboratory Technical Excellence Awards were presented to Dr. Don M. Boroson and Dr. Bernadette Johnson at a ceremony held on 8 February 2008.
Dr. Boroson was honored for his contributions to the field of modulation and coding techniques as applied to optical communications systems. His efforts have transformed this field from one of mainly theoretical interest to one of broad national impact.
Dr. Johnson was honored for her system-level architecting, technical innovation, and prototype demonstration in multiple areas and, in particular, nontraditional problems. She has applied traditional Laboratory research approaches to novel areas and is nationally recognized in the biodefense field.
Initiated by the Director’s Office in 2001, the year of Lincoln Laboratory’s fiftieth anniversary, the Technical Excellence Award recognizes exceptional, sustained excellence that has had significant impact on a Laboratory mission area. more ›
Posted February 2008
Roger W. Sudbury elected IEEE Director-Elect
Roger W. Sudbury, Director's Office Staff, has been elected as IEEE Director-Elect for its Division IV, Electromagnetics and Radiation. He will serve as Director-Elect in 2008 and on the IEEE Board of Directors in 2009 and 2010. The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the world's largest professional association for the advancement of technology with over 370,000 members worldwide.
A Fellow of the IEEE, Mr. Sudbury has served the Institute in many capacities. He has been a member of the IEEE Technical Activities Board and its Strategic Planning and Review Committee. He has served as chair of the Conference Publications Committee, as Technical Activities Board liaison to the Regional Activities Board, and as vice chair of the IEEE Membership Development Committee. He served as chair of the Continuing Professional Education Committee and on the IEEE Educational Activities Board. A Past-President of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society, he currently serves as the MTT Awards Committee Chair and on the IEEE Awards Board Presentation and Publicity Committee. He has also served on the Steering Committee of the IEEE International Microwave Symposium and its Technical Program Committee.
Mr. Sudbury is the former Executive Officer at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He led the development of high-frequency solid-state components for active-element phased-array radars, served as advisor to the government on GaAs multichip transceiver module development, and served as associate manager of Lincoln Laboratory’s Kiernan Reentry Measurements Site on the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. He holds a BEE with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the SM and Engineer (EE) degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1964 to 1966, he served in the U.S. Army attaining the rank of Captain.
Posted February 2008
Eight from Lincoln Laboratory receive 2008 MIT Excellence Awards
Eight Lincoln Laboratory employees have been named 2008 recipients of MIT Excellence Awards. On 26 February, the recipients were honored at a ceremony held at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium.
The following people are the 2008 honorees:
- Dr. Ronald J. Legere, technical staff in the Tactical Defense Systems Group – Fostering Community Award
- Margarita Hiett, associate technical staff in the Space Systems Analysis Group – Innovative Solutions Award
- James C. Dunn, technical staff in the Tactical Defense Systems Group, and Gary A. Hackett, administrative staff in Human Resources – Unsung Hero Awards
- The Visitor Reception Services Team consisting of Roslyn R. Wesley, Karen M. Allen, Thomas J. Zech, and Dollina F.M. Borella from the Security Services Department – Serving the Client Award.
The MIT Excellence Awards acknowledge the efforts made by members of the MIT community toward fulfilling the goals, values, and mission of the Institute. Professionalism, commitment to best practices, and high standards of excellence are at the heart of these awards. More information about the MIT Excellence Awards, a component of the Rewards and Recognition Program, can be found at http://web.mit.edu/hr/rewards/excellence/index.html.
Posted February 2008
David C. Shaver named IEEE Fellow
Dr. David C. Shaver, Head of the Solid State Division at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, was recently named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) “for leadership in semiconductor microlithography and microfabrication technology.”
The IEEE is the world’s leading professional association for the advancement of technology. Fellow status in the IEEE recognizes exceptional distinction in one’s profession and is conferred based on accomplishments that “contributed importantly to the advancement or application of engineering, science, and technology, bringing the realization of significant value to society.”
Dr. Shaver’s work in optical lithography technology contributed significantly to changing the semiconductor industry’s lithography road map. He oversaw a Lincoln Laboratory team that pioneered the development of 193 nm wavelength optical lithography. Silicon integrated circuit manufacturing worldwide now relies on 193 nm lithography for volume manufacturing.
Dr. Shaver has played a key role in defining Lincoln Laboratory’s research focus, driving the development of photon-counting detector arrays that are widely acknowledged to have a transforming impact on three-dimensional imaging and high-speed communication systems.
Dr. Shaver holds four U.S. patents, has authored numerous technical articles for peer-reviewed publications, and is a member of the Semiconductor Industry Association’s Lithography Technology Working Group as well as a participant in the Department of Defense’s Advisory Group on Electron Devices.
Posted January 2008
William P. Delaney presented with Department of the Navy Award
William P. Delaney, Director’s Office Fellow, was presented with a Department of the Navy Superior Public Service Award. The citation, presented by the Honorable Delores Etter, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was for exceptionally outstanding service as chairman of the Advanced Sensor Technology Executive Advisory Panel from November 1997 to July 2004. The panel, which provided long-range vision and advice to senior Navy leadership, recommended an extensive range of mission capabilities for advanced sensors and was instrumental in the deployment of the Littoral Surveillance Radar System, the nation’s most advanced airborne surveillance radar. Mr. Delaney’s contribution was recognized in his certificate of award: “The positioning of the Littoral Surveillance Radar System at the forefront of our combat operations is due in no small part to his leadership and direct personal intervention.”
Mr. Delaney was Assistant Director of Lincoln Laboratory, and from 1973 to 1976, he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, with responsibilities for research and development in strategic defense systems. He has held management positions in missile defense, air defense, air traffic control, and battlefield surveillance, all involving radar systems. At Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, he led the ALCOR wideband radar project. He has served on many government committees, including the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and the Defense Science Board. He holds a BEE degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an SMEE degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Posted January 2008
Benny J. Sheeks receives 2007 Jamieson Award
Dr. Benny J. Sheeks, senior staff in the Intelligence, Test, and Evaluation Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, was named by the Military Sensing Symposium (MSS) on Missile Defense Sensors, Environments, and Algorithms (MD-SEA) as a recipient of the 2007 Jamieson Award.
The MD-SEA established the Jamieson Award to honor the work of John A. Jamieson, who made significant contributions to passive infrared programs for missile defense. The award is given to those who have made outstanding contributions to the MD-SEA technical community.
At the 2007 symposium, Dr. Sheeks was given this award in recognition of his “consistently presenting outstanding analyses of radar data.” Since 1979, he has been devoting his efforts at Lincoln Laboratory to analyzing data from the Cobra Dane, the Cobra Judy, and other radars.
Posted January 2008
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