Dr. Ben Conley is the Distinguished Scientist for Electro-Optic and Infrared (EO/IR) technologies for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) where he serves as the Surface Navy’s top expert on EO/IR technologies. In this role, he leads next generation integration efforts for ships, aircraft, and expeditionary forces by guiding technology investment areas, drafting policy, and informing strategy within his technical area. He oversees the transition of new technology out of developmental offices like Office of Naval Research (ONR), DARPA, as well as industry IR&D better informed roadmaps and acquisition strategies with the overall goal improving speed of fielding new EO/IR technology to the fleet.

Prior to his SSTM appointment he was a Program Officer at ONR running the EO/IR sensing portfolio. In this role he managed the science and technology (S&T) portfolio (i.e. budget activities 6.1 – 6.3) for the EO/IR tech area by making S&T investments to universities, gov labs, and industry. While at ONR his portfolio led the way in many novel advancements in areas such as photonic computing, large format infrared cameras, advanced packaging of heterogenous semiconductors, and optics. It also uncovered new fundamental light-matter interactions in amorphous materials as well as made major breakthroughs in laser physics.

He has a B.S. degree in Physics from Arkansas Tech University received in 2010. He earned an M.S. in Microelectronics in 2011 from the University of Arkansas, and a PhD in Microelectronics in 2014, also from University of Arkansas. While at University of Arkansas his research discovered novel ways to create and process a new semiconductor alloy, silicon-germanium-tin.

He is a prior enlisted US Marine infantry where he served as both an anti-tank missile gunner and machine gunner. During his service, he completed a combat tour in 2007-2008 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.