2018 Young Alumni Achievement Award

For exceptional leadership in diversity and changing the face of engineering while leading research in machine learning, robotics and autonomous systems, and applied neuroscience.

Ashley Llorens

Ashley Llorens

BS CompE '01, MS '03

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Baltimore, MD

Ashley J. Llorens leads research and development activities at the Intelligent Systems Center in machine learning, robotic and autonomous systems, and applied neuroscience towards addressing the nation’s most critical challenges from defense to health. During his 15 years at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), he has led technical teams in applying machine learning to advance autonomous sensing capabilities for the U.S. Armed Services and served as an advisor to the Defense Science Board on studies relating to autonomy and counterautonomy.
He has been awarded letters of commendation by the U.S. Navy for technology contributions, a Government Purpose Innovation Award by JHU/APL, and a Modern-Day Technology Leader award at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards. 
 
Llorens has long been a champion for diversity and inclusion, and he was appointed to serve as the chair of the JHU Diversity Leadership Council in 2014. Under his leadership, the DLC Diversity Innovation Grant program was founded and has awarded over $100,000 for projects ranging from the sponsorship of new inductees to the Indispensable Role of Blacks at Johns Hopkins exhibit to a
conference on gay rights in U.S. foreign policy.
 
Llorens is a voting member of the Grammys and has managed a career as a hip hop artist alongside his career at Johns Hopkins, with a body of work that includes five studio albums and tours in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. His music has appeared in film and TV including “The Blind Side” starring Sandra Bullock and NCIS LA.