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Anh Nguyet Duong

A refugee of war from Vietnam, Mrs. Anh Duong received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in Chemical Engineering and Computer Science and her Master’s degree from American University in Public Administration, all with honors.  She started her career with the Department of Navy and became a recognized expert in the field of High Explosives.  She successfully led the creation of 11 explosives for 18 U.S. weapons and is most well-known for leading a team that created the thermobaric bomb in only 67 days, to help defeat terrorists’ tunnels and bunkers in Afghanistan.

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In 2002, she became Director for Science and Technology at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Maryland, overseeing the development of new energetics for US future weapons.  In 2005, she was appointed as Science Advisor for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon, responsible for transforming science and technology into anti-terrorism capabilities.   One of her remarkable accomplishments was the creation of mobile forensic capabilities for US Marines in Iraq to quickly and accurately identify terrorists.  In 2008, Mrs. Duong became a Federal Government Senior Executive, directing the Borders and Maritime Security Division in the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. In 2016, she was put in charge of all unmanned aerial systems science & technology, and in 2018 all Operations Research Requirements for the Department of Homeland Security.  She has retired in 2020.

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For her outstanding leadership and contributions, Mrs. Duong received numerous accolades, among which are:   

  • Dr. Arthur Bisson Award for Naval Technology Achievement;

  • The prestigious Service to America Medal for National Security;

  • Great Federal employee by the 111th U.S. Congress;

  • Saluted by the Naval Sea Systems Command during Women’s History Month;

  • Outstanding American Citizen by the United States Customs and Immigration Service; 

  • Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal and Navy Civilian Meritorious Medal;

  • University of Maryland Distinguished Alumnus;

  • Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Award

 

Mrs. Duong’s accomplishments have been featured on newspapers, magazines, national and international radio and television networks, books and films.  Examples include the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Sun, Newsweek, National Public Radio, the American Civil Engineers Association’s book entitled Changing Our World:  True Stories of Women Engineers, the Military Channel’s documentary series “Future Weapons”, documentary films entitled “Why We Fight”, and “VietnAmerica”.

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