Dr. Peter Highnam has served as director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity since August 30, 2012 and is in charge of the agency’s “high-risk, high-payoff” research into technologies for the U.S. intelligence community.He came to the agency in February 2009 to lead its incisive analysis office and previously worked in a senior adviser role at the National Institutes of Health and at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
Dr. Highnam also managed electronic warfare and airborne communications programs at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency from 1999 to 2003.
He has more than 10 years of applied research experience in the private sector and co-invented and patented three commercial seismic exploration methods.
He is a recipient of the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award and the Defense Department‘s Civilian Exceptional Service Award.
He holds a doctorate in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University.
