In the 12 years that Dr. Albert Green has worked for SAIC, he has risen quickly and steadily along the company’s scientific and management track. Today, he is a vice president and manager of the Applied Sciences Division, where he helps ensure that the technical services company remains on the leading edge of research and development. SAIC, which provides a broad range of technology development and analysis, is the largest employee-owned research and engineering firm in the U.S. The company does 94 percent of its business through government contracts.

Dr. Green, who holds a Ph.D. in physics, has no regrets about his academic and career choices. He recommends physics to any student with the interest and the aptitude to study it. “Physics is among the best general training you can have in technical disciplines because it is general in nature. Training in physics helps solve complex problems, and it is applicable to many fields.”

Solving complex problems is certainly familiar territory to Green. He worked for years as a senior scientist, moving from bench scientist, to program manager, to inventor of new technology. He holds 24 patents and patents pending, including patents in display technologies and optical systems, and he manages an important profit and loss center for SAIC.

Exciting and challenging R&D programs available to him seem endless. He is looking forward to future research in the area of advanced materials and nanotechnology, which he calls “a real growth engine on a national scale.” SAIC is actively seeking nanotechnology solutions in many areas, from cures for cancer treatment to applications for advanced military weapons systems.

Advice to Students

Dr. Green is an advocate of multidisciplinary training for students. As he told us, “Students, both undergraduate or graduate, should pursue training that is broad and not narrow. Whenever possible, speak with practicing technologists, scientists, and engineers to find out what they really do.”

He is convinced that successful employees must understand the business of science and technology, not just possess academic skills. “People with management goals must realize that it is hard to be a credible manager of research and development groups unless you’ve done it in your career. It is difficult to be an effective manager of R&D technology without having been a technologist.”

He stresses communication skills, saying, ”Students who are primarily interested in being technologists tend to underestimate the importance of writing and communication. That’s a problem. Everything is done in collaboration, and writing and communication skills are vital.”

Dr. Green’s willingness to develop scientific skills and explore new territories has gained him wide recognition. His peers selected him for the Black Engineer of the Year Award for “Most Promising Scientist” in 1997. Recently, in recognition of his prowess as a manager, he was selected to participate in an advanced leadership program at SAIC.

Dr. Green’s career mirrors the slogan of his company --- “SAIC: From Science to Solutions.”

Bruce E. Phillips can be reached at BPhillips@ccgmag.com