HUNTSVILLE — Dr. Suzy Young, a long-time leader in Huntsville’s Department of Defense industry and academic communities, has been appointed director of the Research Institute at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Young has 30 years of experience with numerous Redstone Arsenal agencies before she joined UAH in 2014 as director of proposal development.
“Dr. Young has a broad and deep experience, and a full understanding of the research and workforce needs of the federal agencies on Redstone Arsenal,” said Bob Lindquist, UAH vice president of Research. “Her knowledge will be crucial as UAH strives to maintain and enhance its support of the missions of the U.S. Army and other federal agencies on Redstone Arsenal.”
Young has a master’s and Ph.D. in computer and electrical engineering from Vanderbilt. Additional academic degrees include a master’s in business administration from Florida Technical Institute and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Memphis. Young served as an adjunct faculty member at Vanderbilt for five years.
Regarding her appointment, Young cited the importance of UAH supporting Redstone Arsenal.
“The research that is taking place on Redstone Arsenal and the brainpower necessary for the federal agencies and industrial partners to carry out the tremendous responsibilities at Redstone Arsenal can’t be overstated,” she said. “The existing and emerging threats for America require that our nation remains vigilant.
“Today’s challenges are unprecedented in the context of their dangers to America and our fighting forces around the planet.”
As director of the UAH Research Institute, Young will be responsible for managing research activities and will be the principal investigator for major agencies such as NASA, DoD, Department of Justice and contractors.
Focus of the Research Institute includes systems engineering and project management, risk assessment, testing and applied development of aerospace and defense systems both on campus and at the SMDC Tech Center Aerophysics Research Facility on Redstone Arsenal where UAH conducts research on high velocity and impact phenomena.
Previous research efforts include developing and managing new concepts and applied technologies for both military and commercial systems with specific emphasis on missile and aerospace design, robotics and unmanned systems.
Young’s industrial experience includes research, manufacturing, engineering and engineering management at General Telephone and Electronics (GTE), Triad MicroSystems, and as general regional manager for Textron Aerostructures.
Her leadership for Army research and development resulted in generating innovative concepts to meet emerging Army requirements and facilitating the transition of technologies into Army aviation and missile systems.
Young was heavily involved in managing science and technology efforts of the DEVCOM CCDC AvMC (formally the AMRDEC) for 30 years before retirement in 2014. She has been a board member for the Association of Unmanned Vehicles/Systems International from 2011-23 and served as national chair of that organization from 2020-23. She was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission and has served on the governing board of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center since 2013.
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