Tom Leighton
Science Talent Search – 1974
International Science and Engineering Fair – 1972, 1973
About Tom Leighton
After competing in ISEF from 1972–1973, Tom Leighton placed second in the 1974 Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø for developing a formula to predict prime number sequences using a computer program he designed. Today, Leighton is a professor of applied mathematics at MIT and a leading authority on algorithms for network applications. In 1998, he co-founded Akamai Technologies, a global content delivery network company, where he is the CEO and a member of the Board of Directors. Leighton is also a recipient of the Marconi Prize for pioneering the content delivery network services industry. He remains involved at the Society and is a former member of the Society’s Board of Trustees.
Science Talent Search 1974
Leighton with his Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø project in 1974.
A Memorable Experience
Leighton’s thank you letter to Science Service (now called Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø) for his experience at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø.
Leighton holds more than 40 U.S. patents involving network algorithms, content delivery, internet protocols, cryptography and digital rights management.
Leighton at the Society’s Give to Science Day event in 2018.


