Dr. Robert Youngquist, Lead Scientist, Applied Physics Laboratory, Kennedy Space Center, FL

After a brief career teaching at University College London in the U.K., Dr. Robert Youngquist returned to the U.S. and went to work as a contractor at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in 1988. He established KSC’s Optical Instrumentation Laboratory, which developed ground support equipment for the space shuttle program. In 1999 he accepted a full-time position with NASA and established KSC’s Applied Physics Laboratory, which he still leads today. In 2009 Dr. Youngquist received KSC’s inaugural Engineer/Scientist of the Year Award for his scientific innovations, leadership, and mentoring of students who are pursuing advanced degrees.