Executive Director Named for Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security

A leader in research for the U.S. intelligence community has been named the executive director of the University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), one of 15 designated Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers in the U.S., and the only one dedicated to intelligence and national security.

John Beieler has served as the director of Science and Technology within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence since July 2019, and was later elevated to assistant director of national intelligence in June 2023. In this role, he served as the science adviser to the director of national intelligence and provided strategic guidance, leading special efforts, including artificial intelligence and machine learning activities, projects related to high-performance computing and microelectronics, and innovations focused on the procurement of novel technologies. In this capacity, he also served as the intelligence community’s first chief AI officer.

“We are extremely fortunate that John’s leadership and experience in the intelligence community is being brought to ARLIS,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “His expertise in artificial intelligence and deep knowledge of evolving national security technology needs will be critical assets in helping ARLIS reach new levels of achievement in addressing the nation’s most important research challenges.”

Previously, Beieler was a program manager at the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, a research scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Human Language Technology Center of Excellence, and a data scientist within industry supporting Department of Defense R&D programs. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in political science at Penn State University, and B.A. at Louisiana State University.

Beieler will begin his new role on Sept.1. Craig Lawrence, who has served as interim executive director of ARLIS since August 2023, will serve as deputy executive director.

Established in 2018 and located in UMD’s Discovery District, ARLIS serves as a trusted adviser to the federal government, tackling complex problems related to intelligence and national security. Last month, the University of Maryland received a contract with a $500 million ceiling from the Department of Defense to support ARLIS and its human-centered intelligence and security research, the largest research contract in UMD’s history.