Ms. Barbara McQuiston

Director

Ms. McQuiston is Director of the Strategic Technology Office (STO) of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Ms. McQuiston has more than 25 years' experience in both research and management of high-technology government and commercial programs. Her technical and management experience includes strategic planning and development of new and innovative sensor technology for the biotechnology, medical, aerospace and environmental markets; negotiation for technology agreements and technology transfer from large research institutes, government, and laboratories to the commercial sector; and technical oversight for research and development efforts for various government agencies.

Prior to joining DARPA, she served as the Assistant to the President for the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), performing strategic planning in areas of advanced research and technology.

Previously, Ms. McQuiston was President of McQuiston and Associates, a management consulting firm working with technology start up companies. She worked with and founded numerous companies and supported institutes in global technology management and research. The technology companies included the QuanStar Group in New York where she concentrated her professional time with a JPL/CALTECH startup company: QWIP Technologies, Inc., advancing quantum well infrared technology and Soar Technology, as founder and as a member of the Board of Directors.

Her own research includes technology in advanced electro-chemical and electro-optical sensor design and has served as the Principal Investigator for several clinical protocols related to wound healing and medical imaging. These protocols were carried out at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center. In prior years, she served as adjunct to the faculty, supporting ongoing research at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department.

From 1992 to 2000, Ms. McQuiston held executive positions in industry, including Vice President of YSI for Product Development, Vice President of Research and Business Development for Sytronics Inc., and served on numerous Boards and in Advisory positions.

Her early career focused on research involving the application of systems and control theory. From 1981 to 1992, Ms. McQuiston performed research involving the application of systems and control theory for Systems Control Technology, Inc. in Palo Alto, CA. From 1978 to 1981, she worked in the NASA Ames Research Center, Educational Programs and Public Affairs Office, and was a member of the Pioneer and Voyager Space Projects. Under the direction of Charles Hall, Dr. Van Allen, Dr. Garth Hull and Michael Donahoe, her responsibilities included lecturing and dissemination of technical and educational information from the Pioneer and Voyager programs.