Ms. Barbara McQuiston
Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology, serving as performing the duties of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering | Keynote Speaker
Ms. Barbara McQuiston
Ms. Barbara McQuiston joined the administration on March 22nd and is currently performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
Ms. McQuiston previously spent nearly a decade in government service at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). While at the agency, she served in the Defense Science Office, the Strategic Technology Office, and finally as a Special Assistant to the Director for Energy. Ms. McQuiston received the Office of Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service for her leadership roles from 2006 to 2010. In addition to her time at DARPA, Barbara has more than 30 years of commercial experience. Her work in the private sector has included various research roles, technology management, commercial development, and strategic planning. She has also worked on the development of innovative information, communications, biological, medical, and environmental technologies. Additionally, she has also advised capital management funds and has negotiated and managed technology transfer agreements in both the public and private sector.