Dr Rod Thornton is a Senior Lecturer in Russian Defence and Security Studies at King’s College London, affiliated with the Defence Studies Department and School of Security Studies. He specializes in the Russian military's kinetic and sub-threshold warfare, with a focus on cyber capabilities, space warfare, and UK homeland resilience. His research includes recent British Academy-funded work on UK civil defense capacity during the pandemic, advocating for dedicated civil defense organizations. He has published extensively on Russian military tactics in Ukraine, AI-cyber integration, and space-based deterrence. Russian military cyber operations Space warfare dynamics UK resilience capacity gaps Scientific awards include a British Academy grant (2020). His students focus on asymmetric warfare, AI, cyber, and regional security issues. He teaches at the UK Defence Academy and has collaborated with institutions in Finland, South Korea, and the Freeman Air and Space Institute.
Jeff Alstott is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, serving as the Director of RAND's Center for Technology and Security Policy (TASP) . He holds a concurrent role as a Senior Information Scientist at RAND and directs a program on technology forecasting and improving R&D investment returns at the National Science Foundation. Previously, he held leadership roles in the U.S. government, including the White House as Director for Technology and National Security at the National Security Council and Assistant Director for Technology Competition and Risks at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Prior to that, he was a program manager at IARPA, focusing on AI, biosecurity, and science forecasting, and has held academic and research positions at MIT, Singapore University of Technology and Design, the World Bank, and the University of Chicago. Education : Doctorate in complex networks from the University of Cambridge; MBA and bachelor's degrees from Indiana University. Alstott's research spans artificial intelligence , technology forecasting , complex networks , and science and technology policy . His recent publications focus on AI security , existential risk from advanced technologies , and collaborative frameworks for AI safety , reflecting his expertise in balancing technological innovation with national and global security. He has contributed to understanding AI model weight protection , cybersecurity challenges , and policy implications of emerging technologies . Alstott has received recognition for his work, including being part of an award-winning team on technology counterintelligence . His policy recommendations and technical research have informed federal strategies for responding to advanced technologies , emphasizing the need for proactive governance and cross-sector collaboration.
Dr. Marina Miron is a post-doctoral researcher at King’s College London’s Department of War Studies and Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Military Ethics. Her work focuses on military strategy, cybersecurity, and ethical education in conflict contexts. She holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales (Australian Defence Force Academy) and has taught at institutions like the NATO School and Colombian War College. Current projects include analyzing Russia/China’s information warfare strategies and developing country-specific military ethics programs for Colombia’s armed forces. She also advises on cyber defense, AI in military contexts, and drone technology impacts. Research interests span counterinsurgency, hybrid warfare, cyber operations, and ethical dilemmas in modern conflict. She co-leads a British Academy-funded project on Western countermeasures against information warfare and contributed to NATO’s counterterrorism training programs. Her work bridges technological advancements with ethical considerations, particularly in unmanned systems and medical ethics. Publications analyze Russian cyber capabilities, drone public perception, and historical conflict resolution cases like Peru. She frequently appears in media discussions on Ukraine and cybersecurity threats. Professional networks include King’s Cybersecurity Centre and Freeman Air & Space Institute.
Dr. Tetsu Hara is a Professor at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (URI GSO), specializing in Physical Oceanography. With a lifelong fascination for ocean surface waves, his research bridges civil engineering principles with ocean dynamics to study air-sea interactions under extreme conditions like hurricanes. Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1990 M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Tokyo, 1986 B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Tokyo, 1983 Dr. Hara's work focuses on ocean turbulence, wave dynamics, and their role in air-sea energy exchange. He investigates how surface waves influence hurricane intensity predictions, climate modeling, and coastal processes through numerical simulations and field observations. His research emphasizes the importance of sea state (wave height, wind-wave alignment) in determining heat fluxes, drag coefficients, and gas exchange rates critical for climate science. His publications reveal trends in tropical cyclone modeling, Langmuir turbulence, and wave-current interactions. By combining satellite data with computational models, he explores discrepancies between wind strength and wave behavior, advancing understanding of ocean mixing mechanisms that impact climate change predictions. Dr. Hara has received continuous National Science Foundation grants since 2003, including collaborative projects on hurricane modeling (2018-2020), wind-wave turbulence (2015-2020), and storm surge impacts (2016-present). He previously secured funding from the Office of Naval Research (2009-2012) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2016). Mentored 15+ graduate students in hurricane dynamics, wave modeling, and air-sea interaction Co-developed advanced courses on geophysical fluid dynamics and tropical cyclone modeling Collaborates closely with Dr. Isaac Ginis (URI GSO) and Dr. Tobias Kukulka (University of Delaware)
Carey Rappaport is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University. He serves as deputy director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ALERT Center (Awareness and Localization of Explosive-Related Threats) and associate director of the Gordon-CenSSIS Center (Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems). His research focuses on microwave and millimeter-wave sensing technologies for homeland security and biomedical applications, including tunnel detection, airport security systems, and breast cancer diagnostics. His work on explosives detection involves standoff and portal-based millimeter-wave radar, X-ray backscatter, IR and Terahertz spectroscopy for trace detection, and electronic sensing of hidden triggers. He has emphasized balancing technological effectiveness with privacy, health, and cost considerations in security systems. His projects include developing airport scanners with improved imaging and analyzing challenges in securing "soft targets" like public events. Rappaport's research has been highlighted in media outlets such as Boston Herald, The Economist, and Northeastern University news. He has discussed technical limitations of ground-penetrating radar in tunnel detection and policy implications for international airport security measures, including the 2011 Moscow airport bombing and 2023 Gaza Metro tunnel network analysis.
Paul Downes is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Toronto, with a focus on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American literature and its intersection with political philosophy. He holds a BA from York University and a PhD from Cornell University. His research spans literature and political philosophy, Marxist theory, and environmental humanities, often analyzing canonical texts through critical theoretical frameworks. Education: BA, York University; PhD, Cornell University Fields of Interest: American Literature, Environmental Humanities, Literary and Critical Theory, Literature and Political Philosophy, Marxist Theory Downes’ research examines the relationship between literary works and political ideologies, particularly in early American literature. His recent work explores the politics and aesthetics of protection from the 18th to 21st centuries. His publications highlight themes of sovereignty, democracy, and ethical intervention in texts by authors like Herman Melville and Charles Brockden Brown. His journal articles and book chapters frequently bridge literary analysis with philosophical and political discourse. Notable trends in his publications include critical engagements with Thomas Hobbes’ theories in colonial contexts, the role of political theology in shaping early American narratives, and the interplay between democracy and terror in Gothic fiction. His work also interrogates energy ideologies in Melville’s Moby Dick and historical parallels between revolutionary texts and modern events. No scientific awards or honors were mentioned in the provided text. He has not explicitly listed any formal advisees or students in the available materials.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Angela Di Fulvio is an Associate Professor and Donald Biggar Willett Faculty Scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, holding joint appointments in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering and the Center for Digital Agriculture at NCSA. She leads the Nuclear Measurement Laboratory (NML), focusing on radiation detection technologies for nonproliferation, medical physics, and nuclear security. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering and Industrial Safety from the University of Pisa (2012), preceded by M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Bioengineering. Her research emphasizes neutron detection instrumentation, radiation protection in therapy, and safeguards applications. Key areas include next-generation thermal neutron detectors, boron neutron capture therapy dosimetry, and spent nuclear fuel imaging. She has pioneered work on pulse shape discrimination using commercial ASICs and developed algorithms for neutron-gamma discrimination in harsh environments. Di Fulvio’s 15+ peer-reviewed articles span advanced detection systems, Monte Carlo modeling, and machine learning for radiation imaging. Notable contributions include a physics-based forward model for spent fuel imaging and variational autoencoder-based pulse discrimination. Her work has been recognized with the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research. Professional roles include Associate Editor of Radiation Measurements and editorial board member of Nature Scientific Reports . She chairs APS’s Instrumentation and Measurement Science group and ANS’s Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Division. Recent courses taught include NPRE 451-452 labs, Nuclear Safeguards, and Student Research Seminars.
Edward H. Kaplan is the William N. and Marie A. Beach Professor of Management Sciences at the Yale School of Management, Professor of Public Health at the Yale School of Medicine, and Professor of Engineering at the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He holds secondary appointments in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Health Policy & Management, the Institution for Social and Policy Studies, and Statistics. Education: PhD in Urban Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1984) SM in Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1982) SM in Operations Research and City Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1979) BA in Urban/Economic Geography, McGill University (1977) Kaplan is an expert in operations research, mathematical modeling, and statistics, focusing on public policy and management. His research spans counterterrorism, HIV prevention, bioterrorism, and public health modeling. He has developed models for suicide bomber detection, smallpox response logistics, needle exchange program effectiveness, and wastewater-based disease surveillance. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Koopman Prize (2003, 2005), INFORMS President’s Award (2002), Charles C. Shepard Science Award (2009), and INFORMS Fellow (2005). He has also served as President of INFORMS (2016) and co-directs the Daniel Rose Technion-Yale Initiative in Homeland Security.
Henri van Soest is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy and a Senior Analyst at RAND Europe. He is based at RAND, a global policy research organization, where he leads studies on energy security, artificial intelligence governance, critical infrastructure protection, and European Union policy. His work supports key institutions including the European Union, UK government, and Dutch government. His research focuses on the intersection of technology and policy, particularly in energy systems and AI. Key areas include: AI governance and trustworthy AI tools Energy security and digitalisation of the power grid Critical undersea infrastructure protection Cybersecurity in energy systems Space technology regulation Societal resilience and national security The trend in his recent publications shows a growing emphasis on the dual-use nature of AI in critical infrastructure, balancing innovation with security and resilience. His work combines technical analysis with policy recommendations, often using modeling and expert elicitation. Much of his research addresses transatlantic and European policy challenges, especially in energy and security domains. Scientific contributions and policy impact are evident through frequent publications and expert submissions to governmental bodies. Notable outputs include evidence submissions to the UK Parliament and reports for the U.S. Department of Energy. While no formal awards are listed, his influence is reflected in high-level policy engagement. He has advised on grants and policy studies involving global teams, particularly in energy transition, AI infrastructure, and resilience planning. His prior experience includes energy policy research at the University of Oslo, cleantech analysis, and corporate governance in banking. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and a joint LL.M. from KU Leuven and the University of Zurich. Henri van Soest leads research within RAND Europe’s multidisciplinary teams focusing on science, technology, and security policy. His work often involves collaboration across international experts and institutions, particularly on EU and NATO-related security issues. He contributes to projects involving horizon scanning, Delphi studies, and quantitative modeling in policy contexts.
Dr. Bahar Baser is a Professor in Politics and International Relations at Durham University's School of Government and International Affairs, where she joined in 2021. She is also a member of the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Previously, she served as Associate Professor at Coventry University's Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, leading the "Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Research Group," and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Warwick. Dr. Baser completed her PhD in Social and Political Sciences at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. During her doctoral studies, she was a Visiting Research Fellow at multiple institutions including Humboldt University in Berlin, REMESO in Sweden, and the Instituto de Ciencias Sociais in Lisbon. Dr. Baser is an expert in diaspora studies, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation with a regional focus on the Middle East. Her research examines diaspora engagement in peace processes, post-conflict reconstruction, and state-building in the Global South. She has extensively studied stateless diaspora activism in Europe, particularly regarding host states' counterterrorism policies, radicalization of diaspora members, and transnationalization of homeland conflicts. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on Kurdish diaspora studies, diaspora governance by authoritarian states, intergenerational trauma in diaspora communities, and peacebuilding processes. Her work spans multiple disciplines including political science, international relations, migration studies, and Middle Eastern studies, with particular attention to how diasporas interact with homeland conflicts and host state policies. Dr. Baser serves as editor of the Kurdish Studies Series published by Lexington Books and co-editor of the Diasporas and Transnationalism Series published by Edinburgh University Press. She is also a senior associate research fellow at the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA), Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and a visiting professor at Tampere Peace Research Institute, Tampere University, Finland. Dr. Baser has supervised multiple doctoral students including Abdullah Al-Khonaini, Mengqi Sun, Nannan Li, and Shorooq Al Zaabi. She has secured numerous research grants including projects funded by the British Academy, Academy of Finland, Allan and Nesta Ferguson Trust, and Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Fellowship. Her research projects span topics such as diaspora engagement in peace processes, youth violence and conflict transformation, and diasporic identity formation. Dr. Baser is actively involved with the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Durham University, contributing to research initiatives focused on the Middle East and Islamic studies. Her multilingual capabilities (Turkish, English, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Azerbaijani) support her extensive fieldwork and collaborative research across multiple countries.
Karen Panetta is a Professor at Tufts University School of Engineering with appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Academic Services. She currently serves as Dean of Graduate Education for the School of Engineering and holds the title of Distinguished Professor. Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Northeastern University M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Northeastern University B.S. in Computer Engineering, Boston University Dr. Panetta's research focuses on developing efficient algorithms for simulation, modeling, and signal and image processing for security and biomedical applications. Her work brings together artificial intelligence, machine learning, and visual sensing systems to create solutions for robot vision and biomedical imaging. She develops algorithms inspired by the human visual system to enable machines to 'see' like humans, with applications in homeland security, biomedicine, facial recognition, and search and rescue operations. Her research has significant humanitarian applications, addressing global challenges facing women and children. Dr. Panetta has received numerous prestigious awards including induction into the National Academy of Engineering (2023), the Presidential Award for Science and Engineering Education and Mentoring (2011), and the IEEE Award for Distinguished Ethical Practices (2013). She is a fellow of multiple prestigious academies including the National Academy of Inventors, European Academy of Sciences and the Arts, and IEEE. Member, National Academy of Engineering (2023) Presidential Award for Science and Engineering Education and Mentoring (2011) IEEE Award for Distinguished Ethical Practices (2013) Fellow, National Academy of Inventors Fellow, European Academy of Sciences and the Arts Fellow, Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association As an educator and mentor, Dr. Panetta founded the nationally acclaimed Nerd Girls program to promote engineering to young students, particularly women. She previously served as worldwide director for IEEE Women in Engineering and editor-in-chief of the IEEE Women in Engineering magazine. Her approach to graduate education emphasizes the importance of building strong collaborative relationships between faculty and students, with a focus on proactive communication and documentation of research progress. Dr. Panetta's humanitarian research applies engineering solutions to global challenges, including developing technology to help doctors find cancerous tumors, security screeners find concealed weapons, and law enforcement agencies find criminals and missing children. Her work demonstrates a commitment to 'Doing The Right Thing' by addressing issues affecting populations with limited resources or 'voice' in society.
Dara Kay Cohen is a Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. She specializes in political violence, gender and conflict, and qualitative research methods. She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and an A.B. from Brown University. Her research focuses on civil war dynamics, sexual violence in conflict, and state legitimacy in weak governance contexts. Cohen’s work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, United States Institute of Peace, and others. She is affiliated with Harvard’s Ash Center, Center for International Development, and Women and Public Policy Program. Her acclaimed book Rape During Civil War (2016) received multiple awards, including the Theodore J. Lowi First Book Award. Her second book, Lynching and Local Justice (2020), explores vigilantism in Haiti and South Africa. Cohen serves on editorial boards for journals like International Security and Political Science Research and Methods . Awards: 2023 J. David Singer Award, 2019 ISSS Emerging Scholar Award, 2014 APSA Article Prize Grants: NSF, USIP, Folke Bernadotte Academy Teaching: Courses include 'Sex and Violence in Global Politics'; multiple HKS Teaching Excellence Awards Cohen previously taught at the University of Minnesota and worked as a paralegal in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section. Her research bridges academic rigor with policy impact, addressing issues like gender equality’s role in reducing conflict and ethical challenges in studying political violence.
Arnold M. Howitt is an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University's Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), where he also serves as Senior Adviser to the Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. He co-directs the Program on Crisis Leadership, focusing on emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, and intergovernmental policy implementation. His work spans executive education programs for senior officials in crisis management, including Leadership in Crises and Homeland Security, and he has co-founded initiatives like the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative. Dr. Howitt’s research examines crisis management in the U.S. and globally, with a focus on cross-jurisdictional coordination, emergency response systems, and lessons from disasters like the 2015 Paris attacks, Nepal earthquakes, and Japan’s 2011 triple disaster. He has held visiting faculty roles at Japanese universities and teaches part-time at Tsinghua University’s Schwarzman College in Beijing. His affiliations include the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. Dr. Howitt has directed major projects such as the Executive Session on Domestic Preparedness and advised international agencies on disaster recovery. He earned his AB from Columbia University and MA/PhD in political science from Harvard.
Steven Davidoff Solomon is a Professor at the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law. He is also affiliated with the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) and the Berkeley Center for Law and Business, reflecting his deep engagement in corporate law and governance research. His research interests span Corporate Law, Securities Regulation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation, Private Equity, and ESG . His scholarship often integrates empirical legal studies with doctrinal analysis, focusing on the economic and regulatory implications of corporate transactions and governance structures. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on modern corporate governance challenges, including dual-class stock, passive investing, public benefit corporations, and the impact of social movements on executive contracting. His work frequently appears in top-tier law reviews and is highly cited, indicating significant scholarly influence. He has collaborated extensively with leading scholars such as Jill E. Fisch, Matthew D. Cain, David Zaring, and Randall S. Thomas. While no specific awards or students are listed in the provided text, his prolific output and institutional affiliations underscore his prominence in the legal academic community. His research has practical implications for policymakers and practitioners, demonstrated by his testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on financial regulatory reform. He continues to be an active contributor to legal scholarship, with recent publications extending into 2025.
Robert A. Sanders is an Associate Professor in the National Security Department/Homeland Security within the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven. A retired U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps Captain, Dr. Sanders brings over two decades of experience in legal and national security matters to his academic role. Dr. Sanders holds an impressive educational background including an LP.D in Law and Policy from Northeastern University (2013), an LLM from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's School (1995), a JD from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law (1988), an MS in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University (2007), an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College (2002), an MS in International Relations from Troy State University (1997), and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University (1983). His research focuses on National Security, International Law, Law of Armed Conflict, Human Rights, African American/African Diaspora History, American History, Government/Political Affairs, Armed Conflict Analysis/History, and International Military Education and Training. Dr. Sanders frequently contributes expert commentary on national security matters to major media outlets including Fox News, NBC, CNN, and others, where he has provided analysis on topics ranging from the Israel-Hamas conflict to U.S. domestic security issues and international relations. His scholarly work demonstrates consistent engagement with critical international security challenges, particularly in the areas of territorial disputes, UN peacekeeping operations, comparative policing approaches between nations, and human rights frameworks. The publications reflect his expertise in translating complex legal and military concepts for broader audiences while maintaining academic rigor. Fellow (National Security), MIT Seminar XXI, 2010 Topical Research Intern (African-American Diaspora), DEOMI TRIP, 1999 Dr. Sanders has served in numerous significant roles including as a U.S. Naval War College Military Law and Operations Professor (2014-2019), Director of the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (2011-2014), and Commanding Officer of the U.S. Naval Legal Service Office. He has also served on the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Board of Directors since September 2016 and previously served on the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society Board and the U.S. Secretary of Defense's Recovering, Wounded, Ill and Injured Members of the Armed Forces Task Force.
