At DARPA in the late 1990s, Dugan won an agency award for her leadership of the "Dog's Nose Program," which led to the development of a field-portable system for detecting the explosive content of land mines. She is also the recipient of the deFleury Medal, the office of the secretary of defense award for exceptional service, and the award for outstanding achievement. She has participated in wide-ranging studies for the Defense Science Board, the Army Science Board, the National Research Council and Science Foundation, and sits on the Naval Research Advisory Committee and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Science and Technology Panel, according to a press release.

"Regina Dugan is precisely the dynamic leader DARPA needs to open new technology frontiers and transition revolutionary technologies to serve our nation's interests," said Zachary Lemnios, director of Defense Research and Engineering. "I am delighted she will be leading this agency and look forward to working closely with her." Lemnios, who was sworn in Thursday, joined the Obama administration after serving as chief technology officer of the Lincoln Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He previously served as head of DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office, which is responsible for setting the agency's strategic vision and technical plans.