White House Recognizes Air Force Research Laboratory Scientist Published July 22, 2014 By Jeanne Dailey Directed Energy KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Dr. Greg A. Pitz, a research physicist with the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. This award is the highest honor given by the United States government to science and engineer professionals who are in the early stages of their research careers. Dr. Pitz was recognized for his work in the development of electric hybrid lasers. This relatively new class of lasers attempts to use all the benefits of solid state lasers and gas lasers by combining the two into a single system. An example of such a system is the diode-pumped alkali laser, which has the potential to enable affordable, lightweight lasers effective for aircraft protection. In addition to his scientific work, the award recognizes Dr. Pitz's work in mentoring students. He serves as a mentor for interns under the AFRL Scholars program and he is an adjunct professor at Central New Mexico College, where he teaches physics and astronomy. Dr. Pitz has worked at AFRL since September 2010 following completion of his PhD at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Dr. Pitz will receive his award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., later this year. "To me, it is like getting rookie of the year; you performed extremely well and they expect great things from you in the future," said Dr. Pitz. "I am humbled that my efforts are being recognized at this high of a level."