Leslie Perkins

Leslie Perkins

Photograph
Biography

Dr. Leslie Perkins is the Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Energy Office. She is responsible for developing the AFRL Energy strategy, coordinating science and technology endeavors across AFRL disciplines, and advocating the AFRL Energy S&T portfolio to AF, Department of Defense, Federal leadership at all levels. Dr. Perkins synchronizes AF energy-related S&T activities with the Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Authority, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, US Army, US Navy and Department of Defense.

Leslie began her career as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the then US Air Force Phillips Laboratory investigating novel rocket propellants for space applications. She entered civil service in 1997 as a physical scientist in the Rocket Propulsion and has held senior scientific and program management positions within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering) and Air Force Research Laboratory. Leslie earned her Bachelor of Science (1988, Chemistry) at University of New Orleans and Ph.D. (1994, Physical Chemistry) at Iowa State University.