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Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Relations | July 2024–Present

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

                Research Fields: Strategic Studies, Cyber Conflict, Artificial Intelligence and National Security

                Advisor: Thomas Rid

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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

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BA in History and Art History | 2011

The University of Louisville, KY

                Fields: Military History, Greek and Roman Art and Architecture

Academic and Research Appointments

Non-Resident Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)

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

  • Provide short-form publications and participate in public and private policy discussions; speak at public and private events; peer-review and contribute to CEPA policy reports

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Summer Associate, Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA)

June 2025–August 2025 | Information Technology Systems Division

  • Designed a comprehensive academic and programmatic blueprint for a proposed National Cyber Academy, integrating academic, cyber, character development, and wellness components; contributed to facility design, construction strategy, and partnership approach with U.S. universities and service schools for exchange opportunities.

 

Research Assistant to Melissa K. Griffith, Johns Hopkins SAIS

August 2024–May 2025 | Department of Strategic Studies

  • Conducted comprehensive research pertaining to international cyberspace agreements

Publications

​Book Chapters

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Journal Articles

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Book Reviews

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Public Commentary

Research in Progress

  • “A History of Wiper Attacks, 2012-2026.” Research project examining the historical development and operational use of destructive cyber operations in conflict and competition.

Conference Papers & Presentations

  • “Navigating State Cyber Competition: Harnessing Knowledge Management for Competitive Advantage in an Infinite Game.” Paper presented to the Office of Net Assessment, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC, 2024.​

  • “Navigating State Cyber Competition: Harnessing Knowledge Management for Competitive Advantage in an Infinite Game.” Paper presented at Military Cyber: Past, Present, and Future, Cyber & Innovation Policy Institute Summer Workshop, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI, Summer 2023.​​​​

  • “Alternative Cyber Futures: Challenges and Opportunities.” Co-authored paper presented to the Command Action Group, U.S. Cyber Command and Cyber National Mission Force, Fort Meade, MD, May 2017.

Invited Talks and Lectures

  • “A Brief History of Wiper Attacks.” Guest lecture for Why We Hack: International Cybersecurity Policy, Marquette University, Les Aspin Center for Government, Washington, DC, April 30, 2026.​

  • “Complex Cyber Targeting.” Guest lectures for Intelligence II: Signals Intelligence and Cyber Operations, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Washington, DC, April 16, 2025, and April 4, 2026.​

  • “The Rise of Wipers.” Guest Lecture for Intelligence II: Signals & Cyber, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Washington, DC, March 25, 2026.​

  • “Built for Land, Not Cyber.” Invited Paper Presentation to the Cyber Working Group, Institute for Defense Analyses, virtual, March 18, 2026.​

  • “Cyber Weapons.” Guest lecture for Technology and International Security Competition, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Washington, DC, October 22, 2024.

Panels and Public Engagement

  • “Building a U.S. Cyber Force: Rethinking Recruitment, Institutions, and Expertise.” Moderator for the Commission on Cyber Forces, Center for Strategic and International Studies; hosted by the Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Washington, DC, February 12, 2026.​​

  • “Beyond 75 Years: NATO’s Impact on Stability and Democracy.” Panelist at the 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 & Artists, and the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, November 2024.​​

  • “Careers in Foreign Policy and National Security.” Panelist at the Student Leadership Conference, Alexander Hamilton Society, Washington, DC, July 2024.​​

  • “Technological Advancements Affecting Military Intelligence.” Panelist at Women in Intelligence: Inspiring the Next Generation, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, March 2022 and March 2024.

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, AI and National Security, Ben Buchanan

Spring 2026 | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Held regular office hours; reviewed student reading responses and helped develop class discussions; supported instruction on artificial intelligence and its implications for national security policy and strategy.

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

Spring 2025, Spring 2026 | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Contributed subject-matter expertise and explanatory commentary during lectures; held regular office hours; graded master’s-level essays and theses.

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Teaching Assistant, SAIS Seminar, Narges Bajoghli

Fall 2025, Fall 2026 | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Led required discussion sections for first-year Master of Arts in International Relations cohorts (19 students in Fall 2025; 24 students in Fall 2026); facilitated discussion of international affairs scholarship, advised students, and held regular office hours.

Fellowships and Honors

Alperovitch PhD Fellowship

July 2024–Present | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Awarded a four-year endowed fellowship supporting doctoral research in cybersecurity policy

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LTG Timothy Maude Green to Gold Scholarship

Fall 2016 | The Maude Foundation

  • Awarded to support the completion of an undergraduate degree and transition from enlisted service to an Army commission

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Distinguished Military Graduate

Fall 2016 | Reserve Officer Training Corps, US Army

  • Recognized among the top 20 percent of Army ROTC cadets nationally based on academic achievement, physical fitness, leadership, and extracurricular performance

Academic and Professional Service

  • Peer Reviewer, The Cyber Defense Review | 2025–Present

  • Mentor, Summer Mentorship Program, Alexander Hamilton Society | Summer 2026

  • Workshop Instructor, MASCI Program, Johns Hopkins SAIS | Spring 2026

    • Delivered workshops on “Research Foundations and Source Management,” “Productivity in the Information Age,” and “Topics, Questions, and Research Proposals.”

Selected Professional Programs

  • Technology, Innovation, and National Security Strategic Seminar | Google & Alexander Hamilton Society | Fall 2026  (invitation-only)

  • EU-US Emerging Leaders Visitors Program, 2026 Cybersecurity Cooperation Cohort European Union & Estonia | April 2026

  • Richard John Neuhaus Fellowship | Ethics and Public Policy Center & The Public Interest Fellowship | 2025-2026

  • National Security Trip to Israel | Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Spring 2025

  • Military History and Strategy Fellowship | The Public Interest Fellowship | Summer 2024

  • Security and Strategy Seminar: Russia | Alexander Hamilton Society & The Public Interest Fellowship 2023–2024

Selected Practitioner Experience

Cyber Operations Advisor (SkillBridge), Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

January 2024–April 2024 | Asymmetric Operations Sector

  • Developed grant proposals applying artificial intelligence to research on Chinese economic statecraft; authored an operational methodology proposal on crisis and conflict engagement for U.S. Cyber Command.

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Cyber Warfare Officer, U.S. Army

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

  • Led cyber operations and capability development; oversaw operational planning and execution; translated strategic guidance into operational directives.

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Human Intelligence Sergeant, U.S. Army

January 2013–August 2015 | 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood

  • Conducted human-intelligence collection, analysis, and reporting to support military decision-making in Kandahar, Afghanistan; trained in interrogation, source operations, and debriefing.

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