Graduate Research Fellows
Kirubel Tadesse Ayetenfisu is a graduate student at American University pursuing MA in Media, Technology & Democracy. Ayetenfisu joined AU after completing a Master of Arts program in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Ayetenfisu research interests include the intersection of media, technology, and the consolidation of democracy in Africa. Based in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Ayetenfisu worked as a journalist for both local and international media organizations including the Associated Press.
Andres Blume is a Peruvian Master of Public Policy student at American University’s School of Public Affairs. He is interested in technology and education policy and research. He has a bachelor’s degree in communication from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) and has worked on education projects and policies in the Peruvian private and public sectors. Currently, he is working as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Accreditation and Assessment projects at the School of Education and collaborates as a columnist at The Public Purpose.
Lauren Kay Chiaradio is a graduate student at American University’s School of International Service where she is pursuing a Master of Arts in International Affairs in United States Foreign Policy and National Security. Lauren completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science and French in 2022. Her research interests include the spread of disinformation by non-state actors and its threat to democratic institutions, partnerships within international institutions to combat internet and cyber security threats, and the development of best practices to address internet/cyber security issues.
Urmita Chowdhury is a graduate student at American University's School of International Service pursuing her master's degree in Global Governance, Politics and Security. Her program concentration is primarily Global Security with a focus on Cybersecurity and threat mitigation. She completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi, India and has previously worked for the NITI Aayog, the erstwhile Planning Commission of the Government of India conducting research on Private-Public Partnerships and Enterprises. During her undergraduate, she was also a core researcher and later, the President of the Gender Studies Forum at her college and has worked on surveys and qualitative research on Sexual Harrasment and Cyber Crimes against women and non-binary individuals at the university. At AU, she holds the following positions: Coordinator at the SIS International Students Committee and Treasurer at the Global Politics Association. Her research interests include cybercrime, privacy laws, regulations for big tech and use of computational methods and propaganda as a threat to democratic institutions.
Pamela De La Rosa is a second year MA student at SIS where she studies cybersecurity policy with a focus on disinformation and privacy. Pamela currently works as an intelligence analyst for a consulting firm where she works with a major tech company researching and writing about disinformation, malware, and tech regulation. Pamela is most passionate about combatting disinformation, internet governance, equitable access to cyberspace, and emerging tech. In her free time, Pamela enjoys reading poetry, drinking tea, and gardening.
June Okal is a qualified lawyer in Kenya, with regional experience across Sub Saharan Africa passionate about the use of technology to alleviate Africa's socio-economic status. An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Patent and Trademark Agent. Recognized as one of Africa's top 50 Individuals Leading in Legal Innovation, for several years June has been an active member of the tech community in the Silicon Savanna and has been engaged as a speaker, moderator and judge at several global, regional and local industry events with research interests and expertise in Technology Media and Telecommunications law, ICT Policy, Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection and Privacy, Intermediary Liability and Content moderation, Intellectual Property, Human Rights, Internet Governance, Stakeholder Engagement and Public Participation. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from the University of Nairobi and Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and an LLM Candidate in Intellectual Property and Technology Law at American University's Washington College of Law.
Edgar Palomino is a graduate student at American University's School of International Service, studying emerging technologies as part of the International Affairs & Policy Analysis program. His research interests include blockchain policy, technology standardization, and competition within emerging markets. He recently returned from Peace Corps service in the Republic of Moldova, where he promoted technology skills as a Community Development Volunteer.
Veronica Rubinsztain is an American University International and Intercultural Communication masters student and a research assistant at the School of International Service. Currently, she is working with Dr. Jennifer Poole to determine the effect of Multinational Enterprises on gender relations in Brazilian domestic firms. Before attending AU, Veronica volunteered in Israel teaching English to children in local Arab villages and served as a companion for people with mental illness. She also worked for two years in the software industry, one year as a business analyst for a workman’s compensation mobile application startup and one year as a software engineering intern for a telecommunications company delivering highly-compressed video content to rural areas. At her alma mater, Georgia Tech, she worked as a research assistant in both the Memory & Aging neuroscience lab and the Cognition & Brain Science psychology lab, as well as conducted a literature review of the symptomatic differences between PTSD of various etiologies. During her senior year Veronica earned the Moll Davenport Outstanding Undergraduate Student award as the top undergraduate psychology student. She was on the Georgia Tech Dean’s List all four years and earned the Silver Sustained Performance Award from the Office of Minority Education. Veronica’s interests primarily lie at the intersection of technology, policy, and society, particularly the implications of internet usage on current social dynamics.
Saurabh Shah is currently a second year Master of Public Policy student at American University's School of Public Affairs, concentrating in Cyber Policy and Management. His policy interests include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. He is also passionate about transportation, governance, and urban development. Outside of school, Saurabh serves on the Graduate Leadership Council and writes for the Public Purpose Journal.
Keaton Tengwall is a current graduate student at American University's School of International Service studying Global Governance, Politics, and Security, concentrating on the intersection of technology and governance. Tengwall interests include disinformation, integration of emerging technologies into governance, data rights, and digital authoritarianism. During the previous Fall semester, Tengwall completed a practicum on countering online mis/disinformation within the U.S. financial sector.
Cindi Venters is a graduate student at American University’s School of International Service. Before AU, Cindi served in Peace Corps Namibia where she worked on fish conservation and small business development. She is now studying US foreign policy and national security and concentrating on cybersecurity. She recently completed a cyber risk internship at New York City Cyber Command where she led a project on understanding cyber risk to critical infrastructure. Her research interests include emerging threats, cyber risk, critical infrastructure and disinformation. In her free time, Cindi enjoys roller skating, knitting and heaps of coffee.