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A consortium of researchers dedicated to improving the understanding of the human causes and consequences of terrorism

Radiological and Nuclear Threats

Title Investigators Project Period
Anatomizing Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries Gary Ackerman, Jeffrey Bale, R. Karl Rethemeyer -
Cargo Aviation Insider Threat Assessment Tool (CAITAT) Thomas Guarrieri -
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency SIGMA+ Thomas Guarrieri, Marcus A. Boyd, Steve S. Sin, Ph.D. -
Developing Integrated Radiological and Nuclear Detection Architecture for the Interior and International Mission Space Steve S. Sin, Ph.D., Marcus A. Boyd -
Dissuading Adversaries and their Radiological/Nuclear Pathways: Integrating Deterrence Theory and Analytics in the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA) Amy Pate, Brandon Behlendorf, Gary Ackerman, John Sawyer, Steve S. Sin, Ph.D., Hamid Mohtadi, Marcus A. Boyd -
Distinctive Characteristics of Terrorist Groups Gary LaFree, Laura Dugan -
Dynamics of Terrorism and Counterterrorism Campaigns Gary Ackerman, Joseph Young, R. Karl Rethemeyer, Victor Asal -
Failure Points in Smuggling Networks Brandon Behlendorf -
Global Nuclear Detection Architecture: A Study of South Asia Sharad Joshi -
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) Erin Miller, Gary LaFree, Laura Dugan -
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) Acceleration Erin Miller -
Insider Threat for Inbound International Air Cargo Gary Ackerman -
Integrated Discovery of Emerging and Novel Technologies (IDENT) Steve S. Sin, Ph.D. -
Integration of International Architecture Analysis Brandon Behlendorf, Emily Iarocci, Gary Ackerman, John Sawyer -
International and Regional Architecture Reports Brandon Behlendorf, Emily Iarocci, Gary Ackerman, Steve S. Sin, Ph.D. -
Mobile Radiation Detectors: Threat Perception and Device Acceptance Brooke Liu, Elizabet Petrun Sayers, Gary Ackerman, Steve S. Sin, Ph.D., Thomas Guarrieri -
More Bang for the Buck?: Examining the Effect of Technological Change on Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction Gary Ackerman, Jeffrey Bale -
New Analytical Methods for the Exploitation of Open-Source Structured Databases to Enhance Situational Awareness for Effective Counter-WMD Strategies Ronald Breiger, Gary Ackerman, Victor Asal, H. Brinton Milward, R. Karl Rethemeyer -
Organized and/or Transnational Crime/Drug Cartel Nexus with Illicit Radiological/Nuclear Trade, Smuggling and/or Terrorism in Europe and North, Sahelian and West Africa Amy Pate, John Sawyer, Marcus A. Boyd, Steve S. Sin, Ph.D. -
PRND Capability Development Framework Mapping John Sawyer, Marcus A. Boyd -
Profiles of Incidents Involving CBRN and Non-state Actors (POICN) Database Markus Binder -
Radiological/Nuclear Adversaries Future Project Gary Ackerman, John Sawyer -
Terrorist Groups and Weapons of Mass Destruction Gary Ackerman, Jonathan Wilkenfeld, R. Karl Rethemeyer, Victor Asal -
The Threat of Pakistani Criminal Organizations: Assessing the Potential for Involvement in Radiological/Nuclear Smuggling, Collaboration with Terrorist Groups and the Potential to Destabilize the Pakistani State Amy Pate, Gary Ackerman -
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Process John Sawyer, Steve S. Sin, Ph.D. -
Towards an Understanding of Explosive Detection Technology Adoption: Results from Two Surveys Brooke Liu -
Project Title Publication Date Publication Type
A semi-stochastic algorithm approach to generating CBRNE terrorist attack plot scenarios 2023-07-24T12:00:00 Journal Article
An Army of One: Assessing CBRN Pursuit and Use by Lone Wolves and Autonomous Cells 2014-01-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Application of a Profile Similarity Methodology for Identifying Terrorist Groups That Use or Pursue CBRN Weapons 2017-09-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
Attacking Nuclear Facilities: Hype or Genuine Threat? 2016-01-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
Aum Shinrikyo’s Nuclear and Chemical Weapons Development Efforts 2016-03-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Back to the Future: Teaching about the End of the World 2019-07-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Biosecurity in the Americas: Regional Threat Assessment 2023-07-17T12:00:00 Report
CBRN Activity and Attacks by Insurgent Organizations 2015-10-01T12:00:00 Research Brief
CBRN Terrorism 2023-02-22T12:00:00 Journal Article
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism 2018-04-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
Connections Can Be Toxic: Terrorist Organizational Factors and the Pursuit of CBRN Weapons 2012-02-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Countering Nuclear and Radiological Materials Illicit Trafficking Through Maritime Security Initiatives: Paper Tiger or Concrete Solution? A Case Study 2015-05-01T12:00:00 Conference Paper
Defining Knowledge Gaps Within CBRN Terrorism Research 2009-01-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
Developing Consensus on Strengthening Article X(1) of the NPT 2015-02-01T12:00:00 Research Brief
Diffusing Portable Radiation Detectors Among First Responders: Device Acceptance and Implications for Community Resilience 2016-08-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
Dissuading Adversaries and Their RN Pathways: Integrating Deterrence Theory and Analytics in the GNDA 2018-11-01T12:00:00 Research Brief
Federal Funding for Health Security in FY2016 2015-06-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Foundational Datasets: Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear Data Suite & Portal 2025-01-02T12:00:00 START Reports
From Factors to Actors: Enhancing the Reliability of CBRN Analysis 2016-04-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Gauging the Threat 2013-08-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Data Suite 2025-04-04T12:00:00 Research Brief
Global Terrorism Database: Real-time Data Collection Pilot Evaluation 2023-02-28T12:00:00 START Reports
How Prepared Are the Public and Responders for Nuclear Terrorism? 2018-02-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
How terrorist actors in Pakistan use nuclear weapons for political influence 2019-03-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Insider Threat for Inbound International Air Cargo 2015-10-01T12:00:00 Research Brief
Islamist Use and Pursuit of CBRN Terrorism 2008-11-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
Jihadists and Weapons of Mass Destruction 2008-11-01T12:00:00 Book
Jihadists and WMD: a re-evaluation of the future threat 2014-10-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Maritime Security Initiatives: A Paper Tiger or a Concrete Solution? 2016-11-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Modeling Terrorist Attack Cycles as a Stochastic Process: Analyzing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Incidents 2020-08-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Motivations, Mechanisms and Determinants of Terrorist Technology Transfer 2017-10-01T12:00:00 Research Brief
Non-State Actors, Terrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction 2005-03-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Nuclear Matters: Lithuanian Security Culture in the Context of NATO Trends 2018-01-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Nuclear Smuggling and Threats to Lithuanian Security 2016-12-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Nuclear Weapons and Existential Threats: Insights from a Comparative Analysis of Nuclear-Armed States 2014-10-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Nuclear Weapons as Shields 2009-07-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Pick Your POICN: Introducing the Profiles of Incidents involving CBRN and Non-State Actors (POICN) Database 2019-03-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Profiling the WMD Terrorism Threat 2009-08-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
Radiological/Nuclear Detection Capability Development Framework Mapping Tool 2016-03-01T12:00:00 Project Fact Sheet
Risk Analysis of Chemical, Biological, or Radionuclear Threats: Implications for Food Security 2009-06-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Searching for the Nuclear Silk Road: Geospatial Analysis of Potential Illicit Radiological and Nuclear Material Trafficking Pathways 2016-01-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
START Annual Meeting 2016: Quick-Fire Presentation - Unconventional Weapons and Technology, Political Instability, Risk Communication 2016-10-01T12:00:00 Presentation
Terrorism Risk and Optimal Policy Response: Theory and Empirics 2019-10-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Terrorism Trends with a Focus on Energy and Mining 2015-06-01T12:00:00 Research Brief
Testimony Before United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearing on Nuclear Terrorism: Assessing the Threat to the Homeland 2008-04-01T12:00:00 Congressional Testimony
The “New” Face of Transnational Crime Organizations (TCOs): A Geopolitical Perspective and Implications to U.S. National Security 2013-05-01T12:00:00 White Paper
The DNI's Open Source Center: An Organizational Communication Perspective 2007-02-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
The Interplay between Terrorism, Nonstate Actors, and Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Exploration of the Pinkerton Database 2005-03-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
The Psychology of Terrorism: "Syndrome" Versus "Tool" Perspectives 2005-11-01T12:00:00 Book Chapter
The Trust Paradox in Nuclear Smuggling 2015-12-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Process: Assessing RN Threat Inclusion 2016-03-01T12:00:00 Research Brief
Transnational Illicit Trafficking (TransIT) Geospatial Tool 2016-03-01T12:00:00 Project Fact Sheet
Transnational Illicit Trafficking (TransIT) Geospatial Tool: Project Fact Sheet 2013-09-01T12:00:00 Project Fact Sheet
Unconventional Weapons and Technology (UWT) Research Division 2018-10-01T12:00:00 Project Fact Sheet
Understanding the Adoption Process of National Security Technology: An Integration of Diffusion of Innovations and Volitional Behavior Theories 2017-02-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Winning with the Bomb 2009-04-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
WMD Terrorism Research: Whereto From Here? 2005-03-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
WMD Terrorism: The Once and Future Threat 2018-05-01T12:00:00 Journal Article
Title
Apply Now: Summer Workshop on Teaching about Terrorism
Background Report: Truck carrying radioactive material stolen in Mexico
Breiger turns regression models 'inside out'
CBRN terrorism by non-state actors
Current Job Opportunities at START
DARPA-SIGMA+ interns get a great start at START
Database spotlight: Big Allied and Dangerous (BAAD)
Database Spotlight: Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries (RANNSAD)
Gary Ackerman, Steve Sin Represent START at 2015 CBRNe USA Conference
Hybrid organizations have greater motivational and operations ability for RN trafficking
Hybrid political criminal organizations pose RN smuggling threat
JOB OPPORTUNITY: START Special Research Projects IT Assistant
New project seeks to provide DARPA with ways to deter CBRN attacks by non-state actors
New study shows alliances and not religious ideology are key to forecasting CBRN pursuit
Press Release: START Panel Addresses Key Questions in Terrorism
Research Brief: Terrorism Trends with a Focus on Energy and Mining
Researcher Spotlight: Lauren Pinson
Researcher Spotlight: Ronald Breiger
Scavenger hunt activity helps START team assess capability of mobile radiation detectors
START Advisory Board member quoted in "Daily Telegraph" and CNN
START aims to strengthen defense capabilities against WMD-seeking terrorists
START Announces Fellowships for 2005-06
START Director speaks with National Nuclear Security Administration fellowship students
START intern serves her country by fighting disease and discrimination
START launches online course on terror-crime nexus and CBRN
START Newsletter: Global terrorism increasing; GTD 2012 dataset released; New cyber research
START Partner Center for Biosecurity Launches
START recognized by Defence Technology Institute for its multidisciplinary collaborative work
START research contributes to radiation safety guide
START researcher presents paper on preventing illegal weapons trafficking in international waters at CBRNe USA Conference
START researchers available to discuss radioactive material stolen in Mexico
START Researchers Present at American Political Science Association Annual Conference
START researchers present work on transnational criminal organizations, terrorism and radiological/nuclear (RN) smuggling
START seeking 2014 Outstanding Article Award nominations
START student named Marshall Scholar
START study leads to support for SLTT officials
START Symposium showcases impactful research, datasets
START workshop gives better understanding of CBRN technologies
The Non-Conventional Threat CBRNe event series comes to America
The tradeoffs between protecting against man-made and natural disasters
UMD Report: Conspiracy theories fueled more terror attacks in 2020
Unconventional Weapons and Technology division announces upcoming CBRN Data Suite and Portal
Unconventional Weapons and Technology division launches CBRN Data Suite and Portal
Title Job Title Institution
person-default Alexandra Williams Junior Researcher University of Maryland
Brandon Behlendorf Brandon Behlendorf Assistant Professor, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, SUNY Albany University at Albany, State University of New York
Egle Egle Murauskaite Senior Researcher & Simulation Developer, ICONS Project, START University of Maryland
Gary Ackerman Gary Ackerman Associate Professor, SUNY Albany University at Albany, State University of New York
Tinsley_Herbert Herbert Tinsley Analyst, Government Accountability Office
Sawyer John John Sawyer Director of Strategic Corporate Research Relationships University of Maryland
Panyan Karina Panyan Research Assistant, Global Terrorism Database (GTD), START University of Maryland
Boyd_Marcus Marcus A. Boyd Geospatial Research Unit (GRU) Director, START
Director of Graduate Studies, START 		University of Maryland
person-default Megan Rutter Researcher, START University of Maryland
Jacome_Michlle Michelle Jacome Operations Officer on International Finance Cooperation at the World Bank
Prabhakar misra Prabhakar Misra Professor of Physics Howard University
R. Karl Rethemeyer R. Karl Rethemeyer Associate Professor of Public Administration & Policy University at Albany, State University of New York
person-default Rebecca (Becca) Earnhardt PhD student
Research Associate, Stimson Center 		University of Maryland
Salma_Bouziani Salma Bouziani Project Manager/Researcher, START University of Maryland
Steve S. Sin Steve S. Sin, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist & Director, Unconventional & Asymmetric Threats Division
Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, American University
Adjunct Instructor for Forensic Sciences, Oklahoma State University
Chief Academic Officer, Platinum East 		University of Maryland
Guarrieri Thomas Guarrieri Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies
Assistant Research Scientist, Unconventional Weapons &
Technology (UWT) Division, START 		University of Maryland
Clark tyler Tyler A. Clark Data Scientist, Doctoral Student University of Maryland
Asal_Victor Victor Asal Associate Professor of Political Science and Chair of Public Administration University at Albany, State University of New York
Abbreviation Thumbnail Image Title Direct Link
Anatomizing Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries
Cargo Aviation Insider Threat Assessment Tool (CAITAT)
CBRN CBRN: Violent Non-State Actor Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Data Portal Go
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency SIGMA+
Developing Integrated Radiological and Nuclear Detection Architecture for the Interior and International Mission Space
Dissuading Adversaries and their Radiological/Nuclear Pathways: Integrating Deterrence Theory and Analytics in the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA)
Distinctive Characteristics of Terrorist Groups
Dynamics of Terrorism and Counterterrorism Campaigns
Failure Points in Smuggling Networks
Global Nuclear Detection Architecture: A Study of South Asia
Global Terrorism Database (GTD)
GTD Global Terrorism Database (GTD)
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) Acceleration
Insider Threat for Inbound International Air Cargo
Integrated Discovery of Emerging and Novel Technologies (IDENT)
Integration of International Architecture Analysis
International and Regional Architecture Reports
Mobile Radiation Detectors: Threat Perception and Device Acceptance
More Bang for the Buck?: Examining the Effect of Technological Change on Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction
New Analytical Methods for the Exploitation of Open-Source Structured Databases to Enhance Situational Awareness for Effective Counter-WMD Strategies
NuFAD Nuclear Facility Attack Database Go
Organized and/or Transnational Crime/Drug Cartel Nexus with Illicit Radiological/Nuclear Trade, Smuggling and/or Terrorism in Europe and North, Sahelian and West Africa
PRND Capability Development Framework Mapping
Profiles of Incidents Involving CBRN and Non-state Actors (POICN) Database
RANNSAD Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries Database (RANNSAD) Go
Radiological/Nuclear Adversaries Future Project
Terrorist Groups and Weapons of Mass Destruction
The Threat of Pakistani Criminal Organizations: Assessing the Potential for Involvement in Radiological/Nuclear Smuggling, Collaboration with Terrorist Groups and the Potential to Destabilize the Pakistani State
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Process
Towards an Understanding of Explosive Detection Technology Adoption: Results from Two Surveys