A Physicist’s Legacy: Serving Over Four Decades

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –   The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Associate Director of Research Dr. Gerald M. Borsuk, SES, retired in early January 2026 after more than four decades of distinguished federal service advancing the Navy’s science and technology program.

During a ceremony on Feb. 5, Borsuk’s colleagues came together to honor his long legacy and outstanding leadership with NRL.

Borsuk was presented the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award for service as the assistant director of research for systems at the NRL from January 2018 to January 2026.

Reflecting on his career, Borsuk expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Department of the Navy’s premier research institution.

“It has been an honor to contribute to NRL’s mission,” he said. “The talent and dedication of the people here are outstanding. I am grateful for the colleagues, mentors and teams who made this journey so rewarding, and I turn the next chapter confident that NRL’s future remains bright. Learning, teaching and being taught are extraordinary hallmarks of NRL’s Science and Technology culture that I cherish.”

Borsuk has been with NRL for over 42 years, serving as NRL’s Associate Director of Research for Systems since 2006. His executive leadership to four major research divisions spanned optics, electromagnetic warfare, information technology, radar and signature technologies. As an indication of his outstanding efforts for the Navy and the Nation, Borsuk received five Senior Executive Presidential Rank Awards over the course of his career, two of which were Distinguished and three of which were Meritorious.

Throughout his tenure, Borsuk directed the conduct, effectiveness and strategic direction of NRL’s systems-focused research programs, ensuring the laboratory remained at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological innovation. He also served as the Focus Area Coordinator for NRL’s Electronics Base programs and as the inaugural Director of the recently established NRL Quantum Science Institute, shaping investments in foundational research that underpin the Navy’s future warfighting systems.

“Dr. Borsuk’s impact on naval science and technology is remarkable,” said NRL Director of Research Dr. Bruce Danly, SES. “He has been a steady, thoughtful and visionary leader whose commitment to excellence strengthened our research enterprise and advanced technologies that will serve the Navy for decades. His legacy is woven into the DNA of NRL.”

Prior to becoming an associate director, Borsuk served for 23 years as the superintendent of the Electronics Science and Technology Division. There, he guided a broad portfolio of basic and applied research in electronic materials, solid-state devices, nanometer-scale electronics, quantum information science and technology, vacuum electronics, and circuits. His leadership was instrumental in positioning NRL as a global leader in electronics innovations.

Borsuk earned his doctorate in physics from Georgetown University in 1973 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). His extensive body of work includes numerous publications, several awarded patents and significant contributions to the broader scientific community, including 18 years of service on the Editorial Board of the IEEE Proceedings.

His achievements have been recognized with some of the highest honors in government and engineering, including five Presidential Rank Senior Executive Awards – most recently the Distinguished Rank Award in 2010 and again in 2017 – the IEEE Frederik Philips Medal, the IEEE Harry Diamond Memorial Award, the IEEE Millennium Medal and an IR-100 Award.

“Gerry’s technical depth and long-view approach to research management always set the highest standards,” said NRL Associate Director of Research for Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology, Dr. Christoph Englert, SES. “He understood not only where the latest state-of-the-art was, but where it needed to go. His leadership shaped generations of researchers and helped build the foundation for many of NRL’s most impactful programs.”

NRL’s Associate Director of Research for the Materials Science and Component Technology Directorate Dr. Peter Matic, SES, said “Gerry brought an unwavering dedication to advancing the Navy’s most challenging research priorities. His ability to integrate scientific disciplines, apply scientific advances to anticipated technological needs and support his people made him a truly exceptional leader. NRL and the nation are better because of his service.”

Bernie Kelm, NRL Acting Director of the Naval Center for Space Technology, echoed that sentiment. “What always stood out about Gerry was not just his intellect, but his humility and genuine care for the workforce. He had a unique ability to inspire trust and bring out the best in the teams he led. We will miss his steady counsel and wise perspective.”

About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.

NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements.

For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at NRLPAO@us.navy.mil.