Salvador H. Talisa

Dr. Salvador H. Talisa, a member of the Principal Professional Staff and a Group Chief Scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL) in Laurel, MD, died suddenly at home on May 15, 2024, at the age of 72.

Salvador received the Telecommunications Engineering degree (1976) from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, and M.Sc. (1978) and Ph.D. (1982) degrees in (Electrical) Engineering from Brown University.

In 1982 he joined the Westinghouse Research & Development Center (later Northrop Grumman Science and Technology Center) in Pittsburgh, beginning a long and distinguished career developing advanced microwave devices, materials, and techniques to improve the performance of military radar systems essential to the defense of our nation.

In 1997 he transferred to the Northrop Grumman Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector, near Baltimore, where he was a program and business development manager for radar receiver and exciter technology. Salvador joined JHU-APL in 2001 as a member of the Sensor Technologies Group in the Air & Missile Defense Sector. He was promoted to the highest JHU-APL technical staff level, Principal Professional Staff, in 2005, and was appointed Group Chief Scientist in 2018.

During his time at APL, Salvador became an inspirational and internationally recognized leader in advanced radar technology. He was the principal author of a seminal and widely-cited technical paper on the benefits of digital phased array radars, and his research on the effects, and mitigation of, phase noise was essential in the development of multiple advanced radar systems, including the AN/SPY-6 radar installed on the US Navy’s newest destroyers. He authored or co-authored over 60 technical papers and was granted eight patents.

Salvador initiated, and led his group’s participation in, multiple Science & Technology programs from sponsors such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Air Force Research Laboratory. This in turn helped to attract a number of talented early-career staff to the group, whom he nurtured and mentored in their own work and professional development. With his guidance, many of them then went on to develop their own successful projects within JHU-APL, to obtain advanced degrees, and in some cases to pursue successful technical and leadership careers in industry and academia. All of his mentees and colleagues drew inspiration and encouragement from his ability to clearly communicate difficult technical topics, his enthusiasm, his humor, and his personal touch.

Salvador especially enjoyed spending time with his family because they were his highest priority. He also enjoyed going for brisk walks and rides on his road bike, trying and drinking beer from small breweries, and drawing illustrations of landscapes. His technical work at JHU-APL was one of his biggest hobbies, which helped him have an extremely happy life.

Salvador Hudtwalcker Talisa was born in Lima, Peru on December 17th , 1951, to Luis Talisa and Gladys Hudtwalcker. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Monica L. Brodzik, and two sons Victor Talisa (Becky Nelson Talisa) and Noah Talisa (Hitomi Stevens), who all love him very deeply. He will also forever be the loving grandfather to three grandchildren Simon, Elliot, and Marion Talisa, and querido hermano mayor to his three siblings Luis, Javier, and Silvia Talisa (Severiano Gil).

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Salvador’s name to one or more of his favorite charitable organizations: The Alzheimer’s Association, The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, The Maryland Food Bank, and Doctors Without Borders.

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