Our student fellows program provides students opportunities to engage in real-world research and policymaking around issues at the intersection of new technology, security and governance.

2025-2026 Student Fellows

Headshot of a young man with curly dark hair, a beard, and mustache, wearing a white t-shirt and a gold necklace with a rectangular pendant, standing against a cream brick wall.

  • Alberto Rodriguez is a graduate student studying U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security at American University's School of International Service.  His research interests include the use of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in intelligence collection and analysis, the advancement of defense innovation, and the ethical challenges these technologies present.

A woman outdoors with trees in the background, smiling, wearing a blue sweater.

  • Sarah Schneider is a current Master of International Service student. She has previously worked for the Department of Defense as a political-military analyst and now implements federal international exchange programs with Meridian International. Her research interests are in frontier technology ethics and the advancement of inclusive, rights-based policies and governance frameworks.  

A man in a blue suit and red tie standing in front of an American flag.

  • Matthew Modlin is an MA student in International Development with a concentration in Digital Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance. Professionally, he designs and supports tech-driven programs that support effective e-governance, safeguard rights, and promote democracy. Outside work, he enjoys exploring tools which can protect privacy and digital rights, and volunteers for digital democracy organizations. His research explores how emerging technologies can increase democratic participation, embed transparency and accountability, and strengthen the resilience of democracies against evolving threats.

A woman sitting outdoors on a white bench with green trees in the background, smiling at the camera.

  • Jihee Lee is a recent master's graduate from the International Service Track program in the School of International Service. Her research interests include the impact of emerging technologies on influencing geopolitics, defense and security strategies, and hybrid warfare, with a particular focus on NATO, transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security.

  • Daniel Kento Chavez is a graduate student in the U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security Program with a background in communications and multimedia production in government affairs and public policy. His research interests focus on U.S. AI governance and grand strategy, particularly strategies for addressing China's rapid technological advancement and intellectual property acquisition. 

Young woman with long, wavy hair smiling outside on a grassy field

  • Kenzie Stoker is a JD/MA student at the Washington College of Law and School of International Service. Her research interests include state-sponsored cyber operations as well as the intersection between cybersecurity, law, and emerging technologies, specifically generative artificial intelligence.

  • Maddie is an American University Alumni with a degree in International Studies and a minor in History. Following her studies, she completed the CLS program in India and was a NATO Youth Challenge Winner. Maddie is training in wargaming and is pursuing research related to geopolitical technology competition—especially between actors in South and East Asia.   

A woman with dark skin and black styled hair with two braided puffs wears a bright pink dress and large pearl earrings standing against a pink background.

  • Ibi Kontein is a PhD candidate in International Relations at American University’s School of International Service. Her research explores the intersection of national and international security policies and their impact on women’s safety in conflict and post-conflict zones. Specifically, how strategies such as military intervention, counterterrorism, and reconstruction shape women’s physical security and socio-economic vulnerability.

  • Anthony Avice Du Buisson is a conflict analyst and researcher specializing in U.S. foreign policy, security, and human rights, focused on the Middle East and Eurasia regions. He is a graduate student and research assistant at American University’s School of International Service, where he is pursuing an MA in Global Governance, Politics, and Security as a Mustafa Barzani Peace Fellow. His work emphasizes Kurdish politics, securitization, and state-building. He has been published in The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, and Tibetan Review and featured in academic journals such as the Johns Hopkins SAIS Journal of Global Affairs.

Student Fellow Projects & Publications

Interested in joining our student network?

Our fellows are given opportunities to participate in research and policy at the intersection of technology and security. They are mentored by our faculty and a broader network of academics, private sector innovators, policymakers, and civil society practitioners on projects that address emerging threats, develop practical solutions, and inform responsible technology governance. Fellows gain hands-on experience, mentorship from leading experts, and the opportunity to make an impact on real-world challenges.

Our call for 2026-2027 fellows is now closed. Check back in May 2027 for the 2027-2028 application cycle!

CSINT Student Fellow Alumni Network

A young man with short brown hair, smiling, dressed in a gray sweater over a collared shirt with a dark blue tie with white polka dots, standing indoors near large windows.

Christopher Barclay (23-24)

A black and white photo of a young man with short hair, wearing a dark shirt, looking directly at the camera against a plain light background.

Devin Bae (24-25)

Portrait of a young woman with auburn hair, wearing a black floral top, and gold jewelry, standing against a beige wall.

Kylieanne Broughton (23-24)

A man with a bald head and goatee wearing a beige button-up shirt standing against a plain white background.

Kirubel Tadesse (24-25)

Close-up portrait of a woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, green eyes, and light skin, smiling against a plain light background.

Jessica Kenny (24-25)

A young woman with blonde, wavy hair smiling and wearing a black top, standing against a light-colored background.

Chloe Kenny (24-25)

A man with dark hair and a beard wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and red patterned tie standing outdoors with a cloudy sky and trees in the background.

Siddhant Kishore (23-24)

A portrait of a woman with long light brown hair, wearing a black blazer over a red top, standing against a plain gray background.

Alexandra Klemer (23-24)

A woman smiling, sitting in a room with gray walls and blue chairs. She has short dark hair, wears a beige jacket and a white shirt. There is an open door and a thermostat on the wall in the background.

Kyungsun "Kelsey" Lee (24-25)

A man with sunglasses on his head, smiling in a forest with fall foliage and leaves on the ground.

Lloyd Lewis (24-25)

Young woman with long dark hair, wearing blue and white striped shirt, standing in front of a brick wall.

Anna Miskelley (24-25)

A smiling man standing outdoors near the water with cherry blossoms overhead and the Washington Monument in the background.

Harrison Prough (24-25)

Young man in a navy blazer, white shirt, and white cap standing outdoors with lush green plants.

Gavin Outlaw (24-25)

A woman with long dark hair, wearing gold hoop earrings and a black top, looking at the camera with a slight smile against a neutral background.

Taylar Rajic (23-24)

Divya Ramjee (23-24)

Jake Sepich (23-24)

Joe Sturla (24-25)

Kirubel Tadesse (24-25)

Caroline Thompson (23-24)

Kathryn Urban (23-24)

Katie Yoo (23-24)

Dan Zacharski (24-25)