top of page
banner image for a website that combines elegance, intellect, and innovation. The design f

Education

Ph.D. in International Relations | July 2024–Present

Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, DC

  • Current Status: second-year doctoral student

  • Research Focus: Strategic Studies, Military Cyber Forces, and Cyber Conflict

  • Advisor: Dr. Thomas Rid

 

MIA in National Security and Diplomacy | 2017

The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, TX

  • Fields: US Military Policy, Cyber Policy, Strategy, and Security

 

BA in History and Art History | 2011

The University of Louisville, KY

  • Fields: Military History, Greek and Roman Art and Architecture

​

​

Research Experience

​ 

Non-resident Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis

August 2023–Present | Tech Policy Program & Defense and Security

  • Provide short-form publications and participate in public and private policy discussions.

  • Participate in or speak at public and private CEPA events relevant to the subject matter.

  • Peer review or contribute to CEPA policy reports

​

Research Assistant, Johns Hopkins SAIS

July 2024–July 2025 | Department of Strategic Studies

  • Conducted comprehensive research on scholarship pertaining to international cyberspace agreements

 

Russia Security and Strategy Fellow, The Security and Strategy Seminar

2023–2024 | Alexander Hamilton Society & The Public Interest Fellowship

  • Completed an intensive program involving extensive readings and the submission of two analytical essays focusing on national security and strategic studies

  • Conducted crisis simulations and attended a writing workshop

Publications​

Journal Articles

 

Policy Essays

​

Book Reviews

 

Op-Eds and Public Commentary

Teaching Experience
 

Teaching Assistant, Artificial Intelligence and National Security, Dr. Ben Buchanan

Spring 2026 | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Provided student support through office hours; assisted with discussion development; supported a discussion-driven course on artificial intelligence and its implications for national security, policy, and strategy.

 

Teaching Assistant, Intelligence II: Signals and Cyber, Dr. Thomas Rid and Dr. Melissa Griffith

Spring 2025, Spring 2026 | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • This course introduces the evolving nature of intelligence and state competition in the digital age—goals, methods, and actors. We explore the evolution of how states compete by collecting, weaponizing, and manipulating data, targeting global data infrastructure and systems.

​

Teaching Assistant, SAIS Seminar, Dr. Narges Bajoghli

Fall 2025| Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Led weekly discussion section for 19 students for the required first-year Master of Arts in International Relations seminar; facilitated critical analysis of international affairs scholarship, guided student debate and synthesis of diverse theoretical approaches, advised academic and professional development, and held regular office hours to support student learning.

​

Guest Lecturer, Technology and International Security Competition, Dr. Jane Vaynman
October 22, 2024 | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Delivered a lecture on “Cyber Weapons,” discussing the dual use of hardware and software in military cyber operations, the blurred line between military and civilian use, and the challenges and implications of classifying cyber tools as ‘weapons.’

Practitioner Experience
 

Cyber Operations Advisor (Skillbridge Intern), Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Asymmetric Operations Sector | January 2024 – April 2024

  • Drafted grant proposals supporting collaborative research with JHU-SAIS to investigate Chinese economic statecraft with APL’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities.

  • Authored an operational methodology proposal of persistent engagement concepts for crisis and conflict to executive USCYBERCOM leadership.

 

Cyber Warfare Officer, US Army

Cyber Protection Brigade, Ft. Gordon; Cyber National Mission Force, Ft. Meade | July 2017 – May 2024

  • Led and executed cyber operations, overseeing the development and deployment of offensive and defensive cyber operations to protect national security assets and infrastructure.

  • Planned and translated national strategic guidance into operational directives, ensuring alignment with Department of Defense objectives.

 

Human Intelligence Sergeant, US Army

First Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood | January 2013 – August 2015

  • Conducted intelligence collection, analysis, and publishing, providing critical human intelligence reports to inform strategic and tactical decision-making for military operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

  • Trained in interrogation, source operations, and debriefing techniques, ensuring accurate and actionable intelligence.

Panels and Public Engagement

​

  • Otto, E. (November 2024). Panelist for “Beyond 75 Years: NATO’s Impact on Stability and Democracy” in From the Ashes: Cultural Identity and National Security in the Age of Conflict symposium supported by NATO and hosted by The Center for European Policy Analysis, International Arts and Artists, and The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

​

  • Otto, E. (July 2024). Speaker and panelist for “Careers in Foreign Policy and National Security” at the Student Leadership Conference, hosted by Alexander Hamilton Society, Washington DC.

 

  • Otto, E. (March 2024). Speaker and panelist for “Technological Advancements Affecting Military Intelligence” at Women in Intelligence: Inspiring the Next Generation, hosted by The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

 

  • Otto, E. (March 2022). Speaker and panelist for “Technological Advancements Affecting Military Intelligence” at Women in Intelligence: Inspiring the Next Generation, hosted by The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Presentations and Conferences

​

  • Otto, E. (2024) Playing an Infinite Game: Tactics for Maintaining Competitive Advantage in Cyber Competition. Paper presented to the Office of Net Assessment, Office of Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC

 

  • Otto, E. (January 26 and February 9, 2024) Participant and Contributor for the Global Partnership for Responsible Cyber Behavior’s Responsible Cyber Behavior Scoping Workshop, hosted by The Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, London (Remote)

 

  • Otto, E. (2024) Navigating State Cyber Competition: Harnessing Knowledge Management for Competitive Advantage in an Infinite Game. Paper presented at the Cyber & Innovation Policy Institute’s summer workshop Military Cyber: Past, Present, and Future hosted by US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.

 

  • Otto, E. (May 2017). Alternative Cyber Futures: Challenges and Opportunities. Co-authored paper presented to Command Action Group, US Cyber Command, and Commander of Cyber National Mission Force at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

Fellowships and Programs

 

Richard John Neuhaus Fellowship – 2025 Cohort

2025-2026 | Ethics and Public Policy Center & The Public Interest Fellowship

  • Selected for a yearlong graduate-level fellowship examining the Judeo-Christian tradition’s influence on public policy and civil society, featuring seminars with leading scholars and policymakers

 

FDD National Security Trip - Israel

Spring 2025 | Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)

  • Selected as one of 15 for a week-long program featuring high-level meetings and site visits across Israel to examine regional security challenges

 

Military History and Strategy Fellowship

Summer 2024 | The Public Interest Fellowship

  • Selected for a graduate-level fellowship on the strategic and moral dimensions of World War II, combining seminars on military doctrine and strategy with staff rides and discussions at historic sites across Europe, including London, Normandy, and Auschwitz-Birkenau

 

Russia Security and Strategy Fellow, The Security and Strategy Seminar

2023–2024 | Alexander Hamilton Society & The Public Interest Fellowship

  • Completed an intensive year-long program in national security and strategic studies, involving extensive reading, two analytical essays, crisis simulations, and a professional writing workshop

Awards and Honors

 

Alperovitch PhD Fellowship, Johns Hopkins SAIS

July 2024–Present | Alperovitch Institute

  • An endowed fellowship that provides financial support for students with a concentration in cybersecurity policy

 

Distinguished Military Graduate, Reserve Officer Training Corps

Fall 2016 | US Army

  • Awarded to individuals who nationally rank in the top 20% of Army Cadets by demonstrating high academic performance, physical fitness, and extracurricular achievements

 

LTG Timothy Maude Green to Gold Scholarship

Fall 2016 | The Maude Foundation

  • Named in honor of the highest-ranking officer killed in the 9/11 attacks, the scholarship assists prior-enlisted students in offsetting living costs while pursuing a commission

Professional Affiliations

 

FDD National Security Network, Member, 2025–Present

  • Engage year-round in policy discussions, professional development, and networking through FDD’s exclusive programming

Military Cyber Professionals Association, Member, 2017 - Present

  • The professional community of military and veteran cyber operators focused on continuing education and community engagement.

Alexander Hamilton Society, Member, 2015 - Present

  • Engage in discussions and events focused on US foreign policy, national security, and economic strategy alongside leading experts and policymakers​

Army Navy Club, Member, 2023 - Present

  • Engage in discussion, networking, and speaking events focused on strategy, defense policy, and national security with military, government, and defense industry leaders

Workshops and Training

 

Demystifying the USG Inter-Agency Process & Intelligence Collection Authorities
Elly Rostoum | Dec 8-9, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Discussed the USG Interagency process, key actors’ roles, coordination mechanisms, and legal frameworks and conducted a crisis simulation to exercise knowledge of policy development, decision-making, and interagency collaboration

 

AI & LLMs for Automation and Intelligence
Gabriel Bernadett-Shapiro | Nov 3-4, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Used Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate and enhance analysis through hands-on training to engineer inputs and automate analysis

 

The Science of Hacking: Weird Machines, Vulnerabilities, and Exploits
Perri Adams | October 25-28, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Discussed what makes computers so hackable and why they are hard to secure, as well as conducted hands-on exploitation exercises

 

How to Build an Offensive Cyber Program
Daniel Moore | June 21-22, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Discussed what components are required to build a national offensive cyber program that can pursue national objectives and conducted simulation

 

Malware Analysis Primer
Juan Andreas Guerrero-Saade | Jan 17-20, 2023 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Conducted malware analysis and reverse engineering through hands-on training with malware samples to develop familiarity with static and dynamic analysis

Technical Certifications and Courses

  • Cisco Certified Network Associate, Cisco, 2022

  • Certified Incident Handler, ANSI, EC-Council - ECC5648137290, 2021

  • Associate of (ISC)², 2021

  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library, PeopleCert - GR750580214EO, 2019

  • CompTIA Security+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2018

  • Linux Essentials, Linux Professional Institute - 8lwja7xp2a, 2020

  • CompTIA Cloud Essentials+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2020

  • CompTIA Net+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2020

  • CompTIA A+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2020

  • Malware Analysis Primer, Johns Hopkins SAIS University, 2023

  • Introduction to Cryptography, Western Governors University, 2021

  • Data Management Foundations, Western Governors University, 2020

  • Scripting and Programming Foundations, Western Governors University, 2020

  • Web Development Foundations, Western Governors University, 2020

bottom of page