About Us

Research Center

The Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center (MERC) is a premier research and advanced technology development organization within The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL). Its mission is to create breakthrough technologies and build world-class expertise for the benefit of JHUAPL and its sponsors. Leading-edge scientists and engineers in MERC carry out long term, mission-inspired research, convert research results into technology demonstrations, and work with other JHUAPL business areas, or directly with national security and civilian space sponsors, to transition these technologies to operational systems. In execution of its mission, the MERC staff collaborates extensively with the academic divisions of The Johns Hopkins University, other universities, government laboratories, other research centers, and commercial vendors.

The Science and Technology Business Area (S&T BA) was established to provide an external face for the S&T work at JHUAPL. Thus, the S&T BA develops programs leading to breakthrough technologies for the future benefit of JHUAPL and its sponsors. It resides in MERC, and a large fraction of its programs are executed by the MERC staff. S&T BA programs include those supported by Internal Research & Development (R&D) funds and those supported by external sponsors such as The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Intelligence Community, The Office of Naval Research (ONR), The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and The National Institutes of Health (NIH). The S&T BA also supports other JHUAPL business areas in transitioning new technologies from research and proof-of-concept to operational environments.

Staff

A major strength of MERC is the quality of its staff. We hire and nurture highly talented individuals with a strong interest in creating breakthrough technologies for the operational superiority of the missions of JHUAPL sponsors. Over 50% of the MERC technical staff has a doctorate degree and over 10% of the staff has a research faculty appointment at The Johns Hopkins University. Many staff members are active participants on boards and panels within the national security and space technology communities, contributing to critical national needs while providing JHUAPL a portal into leading defense, intelligence, and space technology trends. Many serve on national standards working groups, committees, review panels for technology roadmaps and for proposals. Our staff members have strong publication records and participate extensively in national conferences and workshops.

The management team is made up of individuals with experience across JHUAPL as well as in technology-delivering organizations outside The Laboratory.

Research Center Facilities

Many MERC activities depend on specialized laboratories. Aside from enabling testing, development, and prototyping, these facilities allow potential sponsors to observe demonstrations. Facilities essential to the Research Center support several key programs within the S&T Business Area and across JHUAPL and the external science and technology community.