Daniel M. Gerstein

Daniel M. Gerstein is a Senior Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. He holds an adjunct professorship at American University in Washington, D.C. Previously, he served as Acting Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary in the Science & Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), managing a $1 billion budget and leading initiatives in cybersecurity and biodefense. A retired U.S. Army officer, Gerstein has extensive military experience across four continents, including combat, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism roles. He earned a Ph.D. from George Mason University and master’s degrees from Georgia Tech, National Defense University, and Army Command & General Staff College.

• Education:
• Ph.D., George Mason University
• M.S., Georgia Institute of Technology
• M.A., National Defense University
• M.S., Army Command & General Staff College
• Bachelor’s degree, U.S. Military Academy (West Point)

Research Interests: Gerstein focuses on homeland security, biosurveillance, critical infrastructure protection, emerging technologies, and counterterrorism. His work addresses pandemic preparedness, biodefense, cybersecurity, and the intersection of science policy with national security. He advocates for systemic reforms to improve U.S. resilience against biological threats and technological risks.

Articles Overview: His recent publications analyze risks posed by emerging technologies such as the metaverse, AI, and additive manufacturing, emphasizing their implications for public safety and national security. He also explores pandemic response strategies, including the need for a 9/11-style commission for COVID-19 to bolster health security frameworks.

• Awards:
• U.S. Army Soldiers Medal for heroism
• Multiple military and civilian honors

Advising & Grants: Gerstein has advised on defense and homeland security policies, including roles in DHS reauthorization, strategic stockpile management, and agricultural biodefense. His grants and collaborations focus on leveraging science and technology for crisis response and enhancing interagency collaboration.

Labs & Teams: His work integrates with DHS Science & Technology Directorate initiatives, federal R&D programs, and think tank partnerships to address global security challenges.