Ms. Julia S. Ignacek, is a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service, she is the Strategic Integration Director at the Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. AFTAC operates and maintains the United States Atomic Energy Detection System to monitor foreign compliance with multiple treaties limiting weapons of mass destruction development, testing and proliferation.
Ms. Ignacek provides strategic planning and leadership for AFTAC’s innovative and applied research programs, novel concept development, and strategic partnership development supporting WMD proliferation monitoring and emerging warfighter requirements. In this role, she also partners with U.S. government organizations performing related research to integrate efforts towards a common goal. As an executive and authority in research and development, Ms. Ignacek advises key leadership on R&D strategies, allocating greater than $50 million annually in internal R&D funding and influencing greater than $200 million annually in partner agency R&D funding.
Ms. Ignacek has served in a variety of leadership and technical positions in industry, research, and government. She graduated from University of Central Florida with her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Molecular Biology, and from George Washington University with her Master of Science degree in Research Administration. Ms. Ignacek worked in industry as a clinical microbiologist and virologist before transitioning to research and development, where she focused on developing novel protocols for maximizing nucleic acid extraction from complex samples and characterization of low-copy-number target organisms. Ms. Ignacek began government service as a Physical Scientist at AFTAC in 2006, providing scientific analysis and program management for the Materials Technology Directorate. Prior to being her current position, she served as Deputy Director of Strategic Integration at AFTAC.
EDUCATION
1986 Bachelor of Science, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.
2004 Master of Science degree, Clinical Research Administration, summa cum laude, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1987-1995, Microbiologist/Virologist, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne, Fla.
2. 1996-1997, Microbiologist, MedPartners, Melbourne, Fla.
3. 1999-2000, Microbiologist/Virologist, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne, Fla.
4. 2000-2004, Senior Scientist, Midwest Research Institute, Palm Bay, Fla.
5. 2004-2006, Section Manager, Midwest Research Institute, Palm Bay, Fla.
6. 2006-2010, Laboratory Manager, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
7. 2010-2014, Chief, Laboratory Management Branch, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla.
8. 2014-2018, Chief, Sciences Support Division, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla.
9. 2018–2023, Deputy Director, Strategic Integration Directorate, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla.
10. 2023–2024, Acting Director, Strategic Integration Directorate, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick SFB, Fla.
11. 2024–present, Director, Strategic Integration Directorate, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick SFB, Fla.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 Plans and Programs Team of the Year Award, Air Force Technical Applications Center
2018 Financial Management Team of the Quarter Award, Air Force Technical Applications Center
2018 Mega-Panel Member, “Leading Innovation in the Public Sector: Perspectives from NASA, the Army and the Air Force”, Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference
2017 Alliant Build America Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence Merit Award (AFTAC Military Construction)
2016 Innovation Team of the Year Award, Air Force Technical Applications Center
2015 Keynote Speaker, Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis Preparing Future Faculty and Professionals Pathways Conference
2015 Special Act or Service Award, Department of the Air Force
2015 Excellence Award, AFTAC Military Construction Team
2014 Civilian of the Quarter (Category II Supervisory), Air Force Technical Applications Center
2008 Civilian of the Year, Air Force Technical Applications Center
2008 Civilian of the Quarter for Nuclear Programs (Sr. Level), Air Force Technical Applications Center Materials Technology Directorate
2008 Award of Excellence (Volunteerism), Brevard County School Board
2007 Civilian of the Year (Sr. Level), Air Force Technical Applications Center Materials Technology Directorate
2004 Council of Principal Scientists Enterprise Award, Midwest Research Institute
2003 Directors Award, Midwest Research Institute
2002 Service Award – Outstanding Contributions Towards Protection of the Nation, Midwest Research Institute
2001 Directors Award, Midwest Research Institute
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS
American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Registry, Microbiology
(Current as of August 2024)