Dr. Lily Chen, a recently retired NIST Fellow, is an internationally recognized pioneer in cryptographic research, standards, and applications. She received her Ph.D. from Aarhus University, Denmark, in 1994, beginning a distinguished three-decade career spanning academic research, industry applications, and international standardization.
Dr. Chen joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2005 and led its Cryptographic Technology Group for more than a decade. Her leadership was instrumental in shaping some of NIST’s most consequential cryptographic initiatives, including its landmark post-quantum cryptography standardization effort and strategies for crypto-agility. In recognition of her exceptional technical leadership and profound impact on NIST’s cryptographic standards and mission, she was named a NIST Fellow in 2023, one of the agency’s highest distinctions for technical achievement.
Throughout her career, Dr. Chen has made significant contributions to security protocols and cryptographic applications, including those for wireless and telecommunications networks. Her influence extends well beyond NIST through her longstanding contributions to international standards organizations, including ISO and IEEE-SA, helping advance cryptographic and security standards used around the world.
Beyond her technical accomplishments, Lily is deeply respected and beloved by the cryptographic validation and cybersecurity community for her leadership, generosity, mentorship, and decades of service. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions and lasting impact on the community, CMUF honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony of ICMC 2026.
Following her retirement from NIST, Dr. Chen continues to share her deep expertise and experience with the broader cryptographic and cybersecurity community, inspiring the next generation while helping shape the future of cryptographic standards and applications.