White House Recognizes Florida Tech Researcher as Top Young Scientist

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Brian Lail, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering at Florida Institute of Technology, has earned a prestigious
Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The award, which comes with research funding of $200,000 annually for five years, is the
nation’s highest honor for professionals at the outset of their independent scientific research careers.

Lail was one of 67 researchers from universities across the country to earn the annual award, which is made through nominating federal departments or
agencies — in Lail’s case, the Department of Defense. He received the award on Dec. 19 in a White House ceremony.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the Department of Defense mission by advancing
technology in the millimeter-wave, THz and infrared spectrum,” said Lail.

Lail, whose research interests are in applied and computational electromagnetics, has conducted studies in the areas of electromagnetic coupling and
shielding, antennas and electromagnetic analysis. He earned master’s degrees in physics and electrical engineering from New Mexico State University and a
doctoral degree in electrical engineering degree from that institution.

Established in 1996, the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers honor the most promising researchers in the nation within their
fields. Nominated are scientists and engineers who are at the start of their independent careers and whose work shows exceptional promise.

Florida Tech offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in Electrical engineering and computer engineering.