Dr. Young received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1965 and 1966, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1970. In 1975 he was appointed Research Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, and taught graduate courses in lasers, directed graduate student research, advised undergraduates, and served in several administrative capacities. Dr. Young joined the Rice University faculty in 1990, and became emeritus in 2011. His research topics have included optical parametric oscillators, nonlinear optics in crystals and vapors, infrared image upconversion, and the development of unique laser sources, including femtosecond, terawatt lasers, and lately, engineering education. Dr. Young is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and a Registered Professional Engineer. He received the Stanford Electrical Engineering Department Outstanding Service Award in 1985, and was named Stanford Master Advisor in 1988, both in recognition of his service to undergraduates. He was chosen as an IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society Distinguished Lecturer for 1991–92. He has authored over 70 publications, has served as a consultant to several companies, and has supervised the research of over 30 graduate students. Jim and Cecily Young live a short walk north of the Rice campus with their cat Sparky Map. They enjoy cooking, gardening, ballet, theater, and reading. Jim is trying to rebuild his 1958 Porsche; Cecily uses the web to keep up with her studies in ancient Greek and Latin. They enjoy being active Associates of Martel College; both have been named Outstanding Associates of Martel College and of Hanszen College.