Purdue Polytechnic offers a unique experience for students through an approach which applies industry trends, needs and future vision in the teaching of technology. I found this approach to be very exciting due to the level of hands-on learning and personal interaction with coursework concepts. The success I had during my bachelor’s degree made my decision to stay in the Polytechnic for my master’s degree very simple.
Matthew Young
BS ’05, Computer and Information Technology; MS ’07, Industrial Distribution
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Matthew Young

BS ’05, Computer and Information Technology; MS ’07, Industrial Distribution

Matthew Young says Stephen Elliott, associate professor of industrial technology, was instrumental in the launch of his career in the biometrics field.

“As a junior, I started working with Dr. Elliott on bringing together information security with biometric applications such as fingerprints, facial recognition and iris recognition. He allowed me to explore ideas and to fully invest myself into research as an undergraduate and graduate student in the Biometric Standards Performance and Assurance Laboratory,” Young says. “During my senior year, Dr. Elliott arranged for me to do an internship with a biometric security company in Washington, D.C. It launched my career in national security.

As vice president for identity solutions at Salus Analytics, LLC, Young is playing a leading role in the development of analytical frameworks for the emerging field of Behavioral Identity for government customers.  “It’s no secret — the vast number of interconnected devices and on demand services have changed our daily lives,” Young says. “The amount of behavioral data being produced is increasing exponentially, at the same time geographical boundaries around the globe are evaporating.”

Young notes that applying the concepts of industry to coursework and learning to communicate the impacts of technology in business environments are key. “Both of my degrees from Purdue Polytechnic have enabled me to be an effective and problem-solver and implementer of highly technical solutions,” he says. “The amount of time dedicated to work in the laboratories, solving problems yourself validated my decision to come to the Polytechnic.”

Young and his wife, Kelly, live in Arlington, Virginia.