Pursuing Decisive Intelligence Advantage Through Rapid Innovation at IARPA
July 31 (Thursday), 2025
11:30 am to 12:30 pm (EDT)
Virtual via Zoom
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Abstract: Launched in 2007, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) invests in high-risk, high-payoff research to tackle some of the Intelligence Community’s (IC) most difficult challenges. As part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), it is capable of quickly responding to national strategic priorities, emerging challenges, and scientific breakthroughs to support the 18 IC agencies by establishing technically rigorous programs at the intersection of scientific opportunity and community needs.
Programs fall under two categories: Collections (source the data) and Analysis (translate the data into intelligence). As Office Director for Collections, Dr. Benard will provide a high-level overview of IARPA, highlight current Collections research programs, and open dialogue to emerging and future needs for developing cutting edge capabilities for the IC.
Biography: Dr. William Benard joined IARPA in 2024 as the Office Director for Collection Research. His research interests range from distributed sensing to additive manufacturing, and semiconductor materials, devices, and architectures. His research initiatives have included working on DARPA programs tackling inertial sensors, radiation detectors, optical switches, NASA payloads, etc. Prior to arriving at IARPA, he was Chief of the Photonics Electronics and Quantum Sciences Division at the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL). At ARL he held many positions including managing the ARL’s Cleanroom. Dr. Benard holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon, a M.Sc. from Case Western Reserve, and a B.Sc. from the University of Witwatersrand, all in Electrical Engineering and related fields.