The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced Cindy Daniell, Ph.D., as NGA’s director of research, as of June 11. Daniell brings to this position her comprehensive leadership experience, deep knowledge of the public-private research community, and a forward-looking perspective for NGA and its research priorities.

Daniell comes to NGA after serving as director of advanced technology programs at SRI International. She has broad expertise in imaging sensors, signal processing and compression, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and explosives sensors, solar energy, and surveillance technologies for geo-referenced intelligence.

NGA also announced that its first chief technology officer, Anthony Vinci, Ph.D., will leave his post for the private sector on July 7. Vinci played a central role in developing NGA's industry partnerships and interfacing with academia, laboratories and the non-profit sectors. He also led the agency’s efforts in adopting artificial intelligence, automation and augmentation technologies and efforts to modernize its workforce. The agency will name a new CTO shortly.