Where are they now?
Billy Babcock
Hometown: Stony Point, New York
Then: Summer Research Associate
Now: Senior at Bucknell University; Incoming Air Defense Artillery 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army
Research areas: China Policy
CGSR brought me into contact with so many subject matter experts and allowed me to develop research skills that I will use for the rest of my career. Through symposiums and conferences, I met many subject matter experts and individuals with experience in the fields I want to pursue.
Megan Cordone
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Then: Research Associate
Now: Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy
Research areas: Treaty Verification, Nonproliferation
CGSR helped me step out of my comfort zone and as an undergraduate physics student I was able to have policy discussions and learn about a completely different area of study.
c21megan.cordone@afacademy.af.edu
"CGSR provides an amazing sense of community and I felt like I got to know so many people even though my time with CGSR was virtual."
– Megan Cordone
Alan Cummings
Then: Research AssistantResearch areas: Hypersonic Weapons, Conventional-Nuclear Integration, Low-Yield Weapons
Nuclear strategy and deterrence was a career pivot for me. My time at CGSR added real-world exposure and mentorship to my graduate studies in the field, as well as a network of friends and colleagues who are working across a wide variety of geographic areas and topics. I especially appreciated the CGSR brown bag lunches and conferences that brought together diverse experts, inevitably sparking interesting discussions that continue to inform my research.
Publications and other achievements: Hypersonic Weapons: Tactical Uses and Strategic Goals (War on the Rocks), Member of the CSIS Nuclear Scholars Initiative 2020 Cohort, Master’s Graduate from Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
"Do it! I think you will be hard-pressed to find a more unique opportunity to engage directly with both technical and policy professionals working on these strategic challenges. The CGSR environment is intellectually stimulating and encouraging; one that actively encourages dissenting views and informed debate amongst colleagues. Outside CGSR, the activities designed to introduce students and post-docs to LLNL’s portfolio of work were as fascinating for their content as they were for the chance to meet others and learn about their research."
– Alan Cummings
Anthony Falzarano
Hometown: Newark, DE
Then: Research Associate
Now: Proliferator State Biosecurity & Counterterrorism Project Lead, CRDF Global
Research areas: Global health security, biodefense, sanctions, infectious disease and regional stability, conflict and public health
CGSR opened my eyes to just how much potential there is across the security space. While I of course learned a great deal about traditional security topics, the diversity of the CGSR community allowed me to learn about future and emerging risks such as cyber security, space, and hypersonics while empowering me to carve out my own corner of the program to research global health security. My primary project is one that I am still developing two years later, and has certainly been quite formative. Even better, the program at CGSR allows you to take full advantage of the network and resources at the Lab, and encourages you to take ownership of your work and career development by presenting at lunches, roundtables, and attending the various other seminars and events that they often host.
"If you have any interest at all in the broad field of security I would highly recommend CGSR. You will learn so much and meet individuals with so many diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The experience is second to none and you become a member of a really awesome community of scholars leading the way in their respective fields."
– Anthony Falzarano
William Heerdt
Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut
Then: Research Associate
Research areas: The Russian nuclear weapons complex/research, supercomputing in Russia.
The opportunity to explore intellectually, find my niche area of interest, and then apply my research skills to that interest full-time. In addition, the opportunity to interact with experts in various fields at workshops was immensely insightful. Furthermore, I was able to use my Russian language knowledge in a professional setting for the first time.
Publications and other achievements: 6th Annual Deterrence Workshop “Winning Conventional Regional Wars Against Nuclear-Armed Adversaries”; CSIS PONI Fall 2019 Conference, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, “Manipulate, Meddle, Mystify: Current Russian Activities Surrounding the CTBT and What the United States Can Do About It”; and Attended Stanford Young Professionals Nuclear Forum in Moscow, Russia.
“Russian Hard Power Projection: A Brief Synopsis”
"If you end up at CGSR, make the most of your time: Reach out across the lab and speak to people who may have similar areas of research. In addition, at workshops, don’t be shy."
– William Heerdt
Manseok Lee
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Then: Research Associate
Now: Ph.D. Candidate in Public Policy; Active Duty Army Major of South Korea
Research areas: International Security in East Asia
My research began here, in CGSR.
Publications and Other Achievements: “NorthKorea’s Choice of a Nuclear Strategy: A Dynamic Approach,” “MilitaryFeasibility and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence,” “Challenges to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty,” “North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons and Evolving Military Strategy” (forthcoming), “US Policy Concerning China: An Asian Perspective,” “North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons and Evolving Military Strategy,” “New START: Sustaining the Future of Strategic Stability.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manseok-lee/
mos64ms@berkeley.edu
"CGSR is the right place to expand your intellectual world view."
– Manseok Lee
David Liu
Hometown: Summit, NJ
Then: Research Associate
Now: Business Analyst at McKinsey & Co.
Research areas: Cyber security
CGSR was an opportunity for me to determine if academic research was one of my passions. While I did not remain in an academic and research environment long-term, CGSR and the lab community was critical in helping me understand other possible roles and opportunities that integrated many of the topics I was interested in.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-liu-4991a9132/
"CGSR is a tremendous experience not only for the access to the vibrant, tightly knit and intellectually curious CGSR community, but the access to the greater lab as well. As an undergraduate taking time away from college, it helped me to refocus my interests and find topics about which I was truly passionate which could not be pursured in a traditional academic environment. I would urge anyone considering the opportunities at CGSR to do so as it is an experience unlike any other and will almost certainly help you grow."
– David Liu
Ariel F.W. Petrovics
Hometown: currently Boulder, CO
Then: Research Associate (predoc)
Now: Postdoc Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Research areas: International security, nuclear proliferation, and US foreign policy
CGSR not only provided the opportunity to carry out my own research, but to take that work to the next level by facilitating the connection to experienced practitioners. The scholars and experts were supportive, always making time to provide feedback or making the introduction to others with unique insights.
https://www.belfercenter.org/person/ariel-petrovics
arielpetrovics@hks.harvard.edu
Brice Richmond
Hometown: Riverside, CA
Then: Research Associate
Now: Master’s candidate, International Security, George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government; Global Security Analyst, the Bechtel Corporation
Research areas: Extended deterrence, NATO nuclear sharing arrangements
Working at CGSR was the opportunity of a lifetime. CGSR’s culture of intellectual rigor and collegial support inspired me to follow my dream of working in the field of international security. I am wholeheartedly convinced that I would not be where I am today without having worked with this invaluable institution.
"I would advise anyone applying to CGSR to reach out to a member of its amazing faculty beforehand. They are not only some of the nicest people you’ll come across, they’re eager to help! And if at first your application doesn’t succeed - try again! You don’t want to miss an opportunity to work here!"
– Brice Richmond
Jake Tibbetts
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Then: Research Assistant
Now: Graduate Student Researcher
Research areas: Technology Policy, Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence, Security
CGSR helped round out my experience as a technologist with interest in national security and policy issues.
Publication: Keeping classified information secret in a world of quantum computing (Bulletin Article)
"I strongly encourage computer scientists, engineers, and other technologists to apply!"
– Jake Tibbetts
