Jim Schatz

Dr. James R. Schatz has served as the head of the Research and Exploratory Development Department at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) since 2011. The guiding vision of the department is to accelerate transformative innovation and invent the future for APL. Active areas of research for the department include quantum physics, artificial intelligence, robotics, neuroscience, materials science, biology, and biomechanics. REDD is also the home of APL’s facilities for mechanical and electrical design and fabrication. Before joining APL in 2009, Dr. Schatz served as director of the Research Directorate at the National Security Agency (NSA). He joined the agency’s Cryptologic Mathematics Program in 1979, and he worked as a cryptologic mathematician and code-breaker throughout his career at NSA. From 1995 to 2006, he served as chief of the agency’s Mathematics Research Group. Dr. Schatz is a recipient of the Intelligence Community Distinguished Service Medal, the Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award, the Director’s Individual Leadership Award, the NSA Crypto- Mathematics Institute’s President’s Award, and a very special peer award from the NSA Mathematics Community called the Mover and Shaker Award. Dr. Schatz earned a Ph.D. in mathematics and a master’s degree in computer science from Syracuse University.