Sarah Adams, program manager for Alternative Computing Paradigms at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, was honored by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) for her contributions to advancing science and technology research in support of national security.
Adams received the 2026 Sidney D. Drell Science and Technology Award, which recognizes early- to mid-career scientists and engineers whose work demonstrates potential to significantly impact U.S. intelligence, defense, and homeland security.
“I’m honored to receive this recognition from INSA,” Adams said. “It’s a direct reflection of the mentorship, collaboration, and trust I’ve received at APL, which have made it possible to pursue ambitious research with real impact.”
Trained as a materials engineer, Adams leads a diverse research portfolio spanning quantum information science, computational architectures, and trustworthy computing. Her work focuses on discovering ways to compute securely, efficiently, and at scale.
“Sarah embodies the kind of bold, mission-driven innovation that APL exists to deliver,” said Joan Hoffmann, mission area executive for Research and Exploratory Development at APL. “She has a rare ability to see beyond today’s technical limits and bring together people and ideas in ways that turn scientific possibility into national security capability. This recognition by INSA is a testament to her leadership and impact.”
Adams holds dual bachelor’s degrees in materials science and engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, and hotel administration from Cornell University. In 2022, she was named a DARPA Riser, an award that recognizes early-career researchers for work on potentially significant national security technologies.
INSA will formally recognize Adams at its Achievement Awards on Feb. 18 in Arlington, Virginia.