A Department of Homeland Security Emeritus Center of Excellence led by the University of Maryland

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

Unconventional Weapons and Technology


Unconventional Weapons and Technology

Chemical and Biological Threats
Project Titlesort descending Investigators Project Period
Advancing U.S. CWMD/CWMT Capabilities in Support of the SIGMA+ Program through Development of Anticipatory Human Social Systems Models and Adversary Weapon Selection Decision Processes Steve Sin, Thomas Guarrieri Mar 2020 to Mar 2022
Anatomizing the Behavior of Chemical and Biological Non-State Adversaries Gary Ackerman, Victor Asal Jun 2012 to May 2014
Best Practices for Preparing Communities: Citizen Engagement in Public Health Planning Monica Schoch-Spana May 2005 to May 2008
Consensus Framework for Informing Decision-Making in the Biological Threat Characterization Program Gary Ackerman Sep 2013 to Sep 2014
Death in a Small Package: A Social History of Anthrax Susan Jones Jun 2005 to Jun 2008
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency SIGMA+ Thomas Guarrieri, Marcus A. Boyd, Steve Sin Jul 2018 to Apr 2020
Domestic Weapons of Mass Destruction: Populations at Risk from U.S. Chemical Facilities Releases Susan Cutter Jun 2008 to Oct 2011
Dynamics of Terrorism and Counterterrorism Campaigns Gary Ackerman, Joseph Young, R. Karl Rethemeyer, Victor Asal Jul 2014 to Dec 2017
Effective Organizational Communication During Crises: Learning from the 2001 Anthrax Attacks Caron Chess May 2005 to May 2009
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) Erin Miller, Gary LaFree, Laura Dugan Jun 2001 to Jan 2020
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) Acceleration Erin Miller Jan 2019 to Jan 2020
Integrated Discovery of Emerging and Novel Technologies (IDENT) Steve Sin Jun 2018 to Jul 2020
More Bang for the Buck?: Examining the Effect of Technological Change on Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction Gary Ackerman, Jeffrey Bale Jul 2005 to Sep 2009
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 Mar 2010 to Mar 2014
Organizational Factors in the Successful Application of 'Community Engagement' Principles for Bioterrorism Preparedness Monica Schoch-Spana Jun 2008 to Dec 2011
Population Vulnerability Analysis, Spatial Social Science, and GIS Susan Cutter May 2005 to May 2009
Profiles of Incidents Involving CBRN and Non-state Actors (POICN) Database Markus Binder Mar 2010 to Jun 2018
Profiling the CB Adversary: Motivation, Psychology and Decision Gary Ackerman Apr 2016 to Dec 2017
Radiological and Nuclear Threats
Project Titlesort descending Investigators Project Period
Anatomizing Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries Gary Ackerman, Jeffrey Bale, R. Karl Rethemeyer Jun 2012 to Jan 2014
Cargo Aviation Insider Threat Assessment Tool (CAITAT) Thomas Guarrieri Sep 2016 to Dec 2018
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency SIGMA+ Thomas Guarrieri, Marcus A. Boyd, Steve Sin Jul 2018 to Apr 2020
Developing Integrated Radiological and Nuclear Detection Architecture for the Interior and International Mission Space Steve Sin, Marcus A. Boyd Sep 2016 to Sep 2019
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 Sin, Hamid Mohtadi, Marcus A. Boyd Oct 2013 to Sep 2018
Distinctive Characteristics of Terrorist Groups Gary LaFree, Laura Dugan Jan 2005 to Jun 2009
Dynamics of Terrorism and Counterterrorism Campaigns Gary Ackerman, Joseph Young, R. Karl Rethemeyer, Victor Asal Jul 2014 to Dec 2017
Failure Points in Smuggling Networks Brandon Behlendorf Sep 2013 to Mar 2015
Global Nuclear Detection Architecture: A Study of South Asia Sharad Joshi Oct 2008 to Sep 2009
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) Erin Miller, Gary LaFree, Laura Dugan Jun 2001 to Jan 2020
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) Acceleration Erin Miller Jan 2019 to Jan 2020
Insider Threat for Inbound International Air Cargo Gary Ackerman Oct 2013 to Mar 2015
Integrated Discovery of Emerging and Novel Technologies (IDENT) Steve Sin Jun 2018 to Jul 2020
Integration of International Architecture Analysis Brandon Behlendorf, Emily Iarocci, Gary Ackerman, John Sawyer Sep 2013 to Mar 2015
International and Regional Architecture Reports Brandon Behlendorf, Emily Iarocci, Gary Ackerman, Steve Sin May 2012 to Sep 2015
Mobile Radiation Detectors: Threat Perception and Device Acceptance Brooke Liu, Elizabeth Petrun Sayers, Gary Ackerman, Steve Sin, Thomas Guarrieri Apr 2014 to Apr 2019
More Bang for the Buck?: Examining the Effect of Technological Change on Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction Gary Ackerman, Jeffrey Bale Jul 2005 to Sep 2009
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 Mar 2010 to Mar 2014
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 Sin Sep 2013 to Mar 2015
PRND Capability Development Framework Mapping John Sawyer, Marcus A. Boyd Dec 2012 to Jun 2015
Profiles of Incidents Involving CBRN and Non-state Actors (POICN) Database Markus Binder Mar 2010 to Jun 2018
Radiological/Nuclear Adversaries Future Project Gary Ackerman, John Sawyer Oct 2012 to Dec 2013
Terrorist Groups and Weapons of Mass Destruction Gary Ackerman, Jonathan Wilkenfeld, R. Karl Rethemeyer, Victor Asal Jul 2005 to May 2008
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 Apr 2012 to Jul 2012
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Process John Sawyer, Steve Sin Sep 2014 to Jun 2015
Towards an Understanding of Explosive Detection Technology Adoption: Results from Two Surveys Brooke Liu May 2016 to Jun 2017
Radiological and Nuclear Threats
Publication Titlesort descending Publication Date START Authors Publication Type
"Deterring Nuclear or 'WMD' Terrorism," Prepared for presentation to the Conference on "Deterring Terrorism: Theory and Practice February 2010 Crenshaw, Martha Conference Paper
A.Q. Khan Nuclear Smuggling Network March 2016 Journal Article
An Army of One: Assessing CBRN Pursuit and Use by Lone Wolves and Autonomous Cells January 2014 Ackerman, Gary; Pinson, Lauren Journal Article
Application of a Profile Similarity Methodology for Identifying Terrorist Groups That Use or Pursue CBRN Weapons September 2017 Ackerman, Gary; Milward, H. Brinton; Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Breiger, Ronald; Asal, Victor Book Chapter
Are Conditions Ripe for Negotiating with Iran? April 2008 Kull, Steven Journal Article
Attacking Nuclear Facilities: Hype or Genuine Threat? January 2016 Ackerman, Gary; Halverson, James Book Chapter
Aum Shinrikyo’s Nuclear and Chemical Weapons Development Efforts March 2016 Smith, Daniel Journal Article
Back to the Future: Teaching about the End of the World July 2019 Sin, Steve; Asal, Victor Journal Article
CBRN Activity and Attacks by Insurgent Organizations October 2015 Ackerman, Gary; Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Asal, Victor Research Brief
Characteristics of Jihadists Who Use or Pursue CBRN: A Quantitative Approach November 2007 Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Asal, Victor Book Chapter
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism April 2018 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
Conclusion November 2007 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
Connections Can be Toxic: Terrorist Organizational Factors and the Pursuit of CBRN Weapons February 2012 Ackerman, Gary; Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Asal, Victor Journal Article
Countering Nuclear and Radiological Materials Illicit Trafficking Through Maritime Security Initiatives: Paper Tiger or Concrete Solution? A Case Study May 2015 Sin, Steve Conference Paper
Defining Knowledge Gaps Within CBRN Terrorism Research November 2008 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
Developing Consensus on Strengthening Article X(1) of the NPT February 2015 Murauskaite, Egle Research Brief
Diffusing Portable Radiation Detectors Among First Responders: Device Acceptance and Implications for Community Resilience August 2016 Liu, Brooke; Petrun Sayers, Elizabeth; Ackerman, Gary; Roberts, Holly; Iles, Irina A. Book Chapter
Dissuading Adversaries and Their RN Pathways: Integrating Deterrence Theory and Analytics in the GNDA November 2018 Smith, Daniel; Sin, Steve Research Brief
Federal Funding for Health Security in FY2016 June 2015 Sell, Tara Journal Article
From Factors to Actors: Enhancing the Reliability of CBRN Analysis April 2016 Ackerman, Gary; Pinson, Lauren; Breiger, Ronald Journal Article
Gauging the Threat August 2013 Ackerman, Gary; Pinson, Lauren Journal Article
How Prepared Are the Public and Responders for Nuclear Terrorism? February 2018 Schoch-Spana, Monica Journal Article
How terrorist actors in Pakistan use nuclear weapons for political influence March 2019 Joshi, Sharad Journal Article
Insider Threat for Inbound International Air Cargo October 2015 Matuzsan, Gabrielle; Ackerman, Gary; Tinsley, Herbert; Halverson, James; Jacome, Michelle Research Brief
Introduction to the Forum: Non-State Actors, Terrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction February 2005 Wilkenfeld, Jonathan; Asal, Victor Journal Article
Islamist Use and Pursuit of CBRN Terrorism November 2008 Rethemeyer, R. Karl Book Chapter
Jihadist Ideology and Strategy and the Possible Employment of 'Weapons of Mass Destruction November 2007 Bale, Jeffrey Book Chapter
Jihadists and WMD: a re-evaluation of the future threat October 2014 Ackerman, Gary Journal Article
Maritime Security Initiatives: A Paper Tiger or a Concrete Solution? November 2016 Sin, Steve Journal Article
Modeling Terrorist Attack Cycles as a Stochastic Process: Analyzing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Incidents August 2020 Guarrieri, Thomas; Clark, Tyler A. Journal Article
Motivations, Mechanisms and Determinants of Terrorist Technology Transfer October 2017 Ackerman, Gary; Halverson, James; Earnhardt, Rebecca (Becca) Research Brief
Nuclear Matters: Lithuanian Security Culture in the Context of NATO Trends January 2018 Murauskaite, Egle Journal Article
Nuclear Smuggling and Threats to Lithuanian Security December 2016 Murauskaite, Egle Journal Article
Nuclear Terrorism: Countering the Threat March 2016 Ackerman, Gary; Halverson, James; Boyd, Marcus; Sin, Steve Book
Nuclear Weapons and Existential Threats: Insights from a Comparative Analysis of Nuclear-Armed States October 2014 Asal, Victor Journal Article
Pick Your POICN: Introducing the Profiles of Incidents involving CBRN and Non-State Actors (POICN) Database March 2019 Ackerman, Gary; Binder, Markus Journal Article
Profiling the WMD Terrorism Threat November 2008 Ackerman, Gary; Bale, Jeffrey Book Chapter
Radiological/Nuclear Detection Capability Development Framework Mapping Tool March 2016 Boyd, Marcus; Sin, Steve Project Fact Sheet
Review of Bob Graham, et.al, World at Risk: The Report of the Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism June 2009 Ackerman, Gary Book Review
Review of Janja Lalich, Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults March 2005 Bale, Jeffrey Book Review
Searching for the Nuclear Silk Road: Geospatial Analysis of Potential Illicit Radiological and Nuclear Material Trafficking Pathways January 2016 Boyd, Marcus A.; Sin, Steve Book Chapter
START Annual Meeting 2016: Quick-Fire Presentation - Unconventional Weapons and Technology, Political Instability, Risk Communication October 2016 Ackerman, Gary; LaFree, Gary; Roberts, Holly; Halverson, James; Binder, Markus; Egnoto, Michael; Sin, Steve Presentation
Terrorism Risk and Optimal Policy Response: Theory and Empirics October 2019 Mohtadi, Hamid Journal Article
Terrorism Trends with a Focus on Energy and Mining June 2015 Pate, Amy Research Brief
Terrorist Organizational Factors and the Pursuit and Use of CBRN Terrorism March 2006 Ackerman, Gary Conference Paper
Testimony before United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearing on Nuclear Terrorism: Assessing the Threat to the Homeland April 2008 Ackerman, Gary Congressional Testimony
The DNI's Open Source Center: An Organizational Communication Perspective February 2007 Bean, Hamilton Journal Article
The Future of Jihadists and WMD November 2007 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
The Interplay between Terrorism, Nonstate Actors, and Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Exploration of the Pinkerton Database March 2005 LaFree, Gary; Dugan, Laura Journal Article
The Psychology of Terrorism: "Syndrome" Versus "Tool" Perspectives November 2005 Kruglanski, Arie Book Chapter
The Trust Paradox in Nuclear Smuggling December 2015 Murauskaite, Egle Journal Article
The “New” Face of Transnational Crime Organizations (TCOs): A Geopolitical Perspective and Implications to U.S. National Security May 2013 Pate, Amy; Ackerman, Gary; Johns, Mila White Paper
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Process: Assessing RN Threat Inclusion March 2016 Spalding, Sarah; Sin, Steve; Sell, Tara Kirk Research Brief
Transnational Illicit Trafficking (TransIT) Geospatial Tool March 2016 Boyd, Marcus A.; Sin, Steve Project Fact Sheet
Transnational Illicit Trafficking (TransIT) Geospatial Tool: Project Fact Sheet September 2013 Sawyer, John Project Fact Sheet
Understanding the Adoption Process of National Security Technology: An Integration of Diffusion of Innovations and Volitional Behavior Theories February 2017 Liu, Brooke; Smith, Daniel; Ackerman, Gary; Roberts, Holly; Iles, Irina A.; Egnoto, Michael Journal Article
WMD Terrorism Research: Whereto from Here? July 2005 Ackerman, Gary Journal Article
WMD Terrorism: The Once and Future Threat May 2018 Ackerman, Gary; Jacome, Michelle Journal Article
Chemical and Biological Threats
Publication Titlesort descending Publication Date START Authors Publication Type
A Historical Overview of Biological Weapons Identification, Characterization, and Attribution November 2007 Ackerman, Gary; Asal, Victor Book Chapter
An Army of One: Assessing CBRN Pursuit and Use by Lone Wolves and Autonomous Cells January 2014 Ackerman, Gary; Pinson, Lauren Journal Article
Anatomizing Chemical and Biological Non-State Adversaries March 2014 Ackerman, Gary; Binder, Markus Research Brief
Application of a Profile Similarity Methodology for Identifying Terrorist Groups That Use or Pursue CBRN Weapons September 2017 Ackerman, Gary; Milward, H. Brinton; Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Breiger, Ronald; Asal, Victor Book Chapter
Assessing the Bioweapons Threat August 2015 Ackerman, Gary Journal Article
Aum Shinrikyo’s Nuclear and Chemical Weapons Development Efforts March 2016 Smith, Daniel Journal Article
CBRN Activity and Attacks by Insurgent Organizations October 2015 Ackerman, Gary; Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Asal, Victor Research Brief
Characteristics of Jihadists Who Use or Pursue CBRN: A Quantitative Approach November 2007 Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Asal, Victor Book Chapter
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism April 2018 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
Conclusion November 2007 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
Conference Report--Disease, Disaster, and Democracy: The Public's Stake in Health Emergency Planning October 2006 Schoch-Spana, Monica Journal Article
Connections Can be Toxic: Terrorist Organizational Factors and the Pursuit of CBRN Weapons February 2012 Ackerman, Gary; Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Asal, Victor Journal Article
Death in a Small Package: A Short History of Anthrax November 2007 Jones, Susan Book
Defining Knowledge Gaps Within CBRN Terrorism Research November 2008 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
Expert Views on Biological Threat Characterization for the U.S. Government: A Delphi Study March 2017 Ackerman, Gary Journal Article
Extremists and Unconventional Weapons: Examining the Pursuit of Chemical and Biological Agents December 2019 Guarrieri, Thomas Journal Article
Facilitation of Risk Communication During the Anthrax Attacks of 2001: The Organizational Backstory October 2007 Chess, Caron Journal Article
False Alarms, Real Challenges - One University's Communication Response to the 2001 Anthrax Crisis June 2006 Chess, Caron Journal Article
Federal Funding for Health Security in FY2016 June 2015 Sell, Tara Journal Article
From Factors to Actors: Enhancing the Reliability of CBRN Analysis April 2016 Ackerman, Gary; Pinson, Lauren; Breiger, Ronald Journal Article
Gauging the Threat August 2013 Ackerman, Gary; Pinson, Lauren Journal Article
Hacking the Human Body: The Cyber-Bio Convergence April 2019 Earnhardt, Rebecca (Becca) White Paper
Hindsight Not 20/20 for Smallpox Research January 2015 Discussion Point
Influenza Vaccine Scarcity 2004–05: Implications for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness September 2005 Schoch-Spana, Monica Journal Article
Introduction to the Forum: Non-State Actors, Terrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction February 2005 Wilkenfeld, Jonathan; Asal, Victor Journal Article
Islamic State Chemical Weapons: A Case Contained by its Context? March 2018 Tinsley, Herbert; Quigley, Jillian; Binder, Markus Journal Article
Islamist Use and Pursuit of CBRN Terrorism November 2008 Rethemeyer, R. Karl Book Chapter
It is Hard to Predict the Future: Evolving Nature of Threats and Vulnerabilities January 2006 Ackerman, Gary Journal Article
Jihadist Ideology and Strategy and the Possible Employment of 'Weapons of Mass Destruction November 2007 Bale, Jeffrey Book Chapter
Jihadists and WMD: a re-evaluation of the future threat October 2014 Ackerman, Gary Journal Article
Miscommunication during the anthrax attacks: How events reveal organizational failures January 2007 Chess, Caron Journal Article
Modeling Terrorist Attack Cycles as a Stochastic Process: Analyzing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Incidents August 2020 Guarrieri, Thomas; Clark, Tyler A. Journal Article
Motivations, Mechanisms and Determinants of Terrorist Technology Transfer October 2017 Ackerman, Gary; Halverson, James; Earnhardt, Rebecca (Becca) Research Brief
Nuclear Terrorism: Countering the Threat March 2016 Ackerman, Gary; Halverson, James; Boyd, Marcus; Sin, Steve Book
Pick Your POICN: Introducing the Profiles of Incidents involving CBRN and Non-State Actors (POICN) Database March 2019 Ackerman, Gary; Binder, Markus Journal Article
Profiling the CB Adversary: Motivation, Psychology and Decision September 2017 Davenport, Cory; Ackerman, Gary; Tinsley, Herbert; Binder, Markus; Earnhardt, Rebecca (Becca); Sell, Tara Kirk Research Brief
Profiling the WMD Terrorism Threat November 2008 Ackerman, Gary; Bale, Jeffrey Book Chapter
Public Responses to Extreme Events: Top 5 Disaster Myths October 2005 Schoch-Spana, Monica Conference Paper
Radiological/Nuclear Detection Capability Development Framework Mapping Tool March 2016 Boyd, Marcus; Sin, Steve Project Fact Sheet
Review of Bob Graham, et.al, World at Risk: The Report of the Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism June 2009 Ackerman, Gary Book Review
Review of Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism, by Marion Nestle January 2006 Schoch-Spana, Monica Journal Article
Ricin Letters Mailed to President and Senator April 2013 Ackerman, Gary; Pinson, Lauren; Johns, Mila Background Report
Singapore-Malaysia-Indonesia-US Dialogue on Biosecurity December 2015 Journal Article
South Africa's Project Coast: "Death Squads," Covert State-Sponsored Poisonings, and the Dangers of CBW Proliferation January 2006 Bale, Jeffrey Journal Article
Speaking with One Voice: Risk Communication Lessons from the US Anthrax Attacks June 2006 Chess, Caron Journal Article
START Annual Meeting 2016: Quick-Fire Presentation - Unconventional Weapons and Technology, Political Instability, Risk Communication October 2016 Ackerman, Gary; LaFree, Gary; Roberts, Holly; Halverson, James; Binder, Markus; Egnoto, Michael; Sin, Steve Presentation
Terrorism Risk and Optimal Policy Response: Theory and Empirics October 2019 Mohtadi, Hamid Journal Article
Terrorist Organizational Factors and the Pursuit and Use of CBRN Terrorism March 2006 Ackerman, Gary Conference Paper
The Curious Incident of the Bench in the Daylight April 2018 Quigley, Jillian; Binder, Markus; Earnhardt, Rebecca (Becca) Journal Article
The DNI's Open Source Center: An Organizational Communication Perspective February 2007 Bean, Hamilton Journal Article
The Future of Jihadists and WMD November 2007 Ackerman, Gary Book Chapter
The Interplay between Terrorism, Nonstate Actors, and Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Exploration of the Pinkerton Database March 2005 LaFree, Gary; Dugan, Laura Journal Article
The thin red line March 2013 Johns, Mila Op-ed
Transnational Illicit Trafficking (TransIT) Geospatial Tool: Project Fact Sheet September 2013 Sawyer, John Project Fact Sheet
US Competitiveness in Synthetic Biology December 2015 Journal Article
WMD Terrorism Research: Whereto from Here? July 2005 Ackerman, Gary Journal Article
WMD Terrorism: The Once and Future Threat May 2018 Ackerman, Gary; Jacome, Michelle Journal Article
Chemical and Biological Threats
Date Title News Type
2007-03-14 Apply Now: Summer Workshop on Teaching about Terrorism News
2014-08-28 Are U.S. chemical facilities still open to terrorist attacks? Discussion Point
2013-08-26 Breiger turns regression models 'inside out' Featured Research
2012-09-25 CBRN terrorism by non-state actors Featured Research
2010-04-22 Current Job Opportunities at START News
2012-06-19 Database spotlight: Big Allied and Dangerous (BAAD) Featured Research
2015-04-29 Former START intern strives to create culture of responsible scientific investigation People Spotlight
2015-05-27 Gary Ackerman, Steve Sin Represent START at 2015 CBRNe USA Conference News
2018-03-28 Islamic State Chemical Weapons: A Case Contained by its Context? Featured Research
2011-05-23 JOB OPPORTUNITY: START Special Research Projects IT Assistant News
2020-05-28 New project seeks to provide DARPA with ways to deter CBRN attacks by non-state actors News
2012-03-28 New study shows alliances and not religious ideology are key to forecasting CBRN pursuit Featured Research
2006-02-01 Partner Institution Releases Comments on Quarantine Rules News
2010-10-05 Press Release: START Panel Addresses Key Questions in Terrorism Featured Research
2007-06-10 Recommendations from START-sponsored Working Group on Community Engagement in Health Emergency Planning Featured Research
2014-03-27 Research identifies most likely non-state chem-bio threats Featured Research
2012-07-17 Researcher Spotlight: Lauren Pinson People Spotlight
2013-07-22 Researcher Spotlight: Ronald Breiger People Spotlight
2006-01-18 START Advisory Board member quoted in "Daily Telegraph" and CNN News
2013-09-26 START aims to strengthen defense capabilities against WMD-seeking terrorists News
2005-09-05 START Announces Fellowships for 2005-06 News
2016-03-11 START launches online course on terror-crime nexus and CBRN News
2015-04-29 START researcher presents paper on preventing illegal weapons trafficking in international waters at CBRNe USA Conference News
2013-10-16 START seeking 2014 Outstanding Article Award nominations News
2016-04-05 START study leads to support for SLTT officials News
2012-06-14 START workshop gives better understanding of CBRN technologies News
2014-10-27 START’s Steve Sin chaired CBRNe Asia 2014 conference News
2015-02-27 The Non-Conventional Threat CBRNe event series comes to America News
Radiological and Nuclear Threats
Date Title News Type
2007-03-14 Apply Now: Summer Workshop on Teaching about Terrorism News
2013-12-09 Background Report: Truck carrying radioactive material stolen in Mexico Featured Research
2013-08-26 Breiger turns regression models 'inside out' Featured Research
2012-09-25 CBRN terrorism by non-state actors Featured Research
2010-04-22 Current Job Opportunities at START News
2012-06-19 Database spotlight: Big Allied and Dangerous (BAAD) Featured Research
2012-08-29 Database Spotlight: Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries (RANNSAD) Featured Research
2015-05-27 Gary Ackerman, Steve Sin Represent START at 2015 CBRNe USA Conference News
2015-04-29 Hybrid organizations have greater motivational and operations ability for RN trafficking Featured Research
2013-06-26 Hybrid political criminal organizations pose RN smuggling threat Featured Research
2011-05-23 JOB OPPORTUNITY: START Special Research Projects IT Assistant News
2020-05-28 New project seeks to provide DARPA with ways to deter CBRN attacks by non-state actors News
2012-03-28 New study shows alliances and not religious ideology are key to forecasting CBRN pursuit Featured Research
2010-10-05 Press Release: START Panel Addresses Key Questions in Terrorism Featured Research
2015-06-30 Research Brief: Terrorism Trends with a Focus on Energy and Mining Featured Research
2012-07-17 Researcher Spotlight: Lauren Pinson People Spotlight
2013-07-22 Researcher Spotlight: Ronald Breiger People Spotlight
2016-03-18 Scavenger hunt activity helps START team assess capability of mobile radiation detectors News
2006-01-18 START Advisory Board member quoted in "Daily Telegraph" and CNN News
2013-09-26 START aims to strengthen defense capabilities against WMD-seeking terrorists News
2005-09-05 START Announces Fellowships for 2005-06 News
2016-03-11 START launches online course on terror-crime nexus and CBRN News
2013-12-19 START Newsletter: Global terrorism increasing; GTD 2012 dataset released; New cyber research Newsletter
2011-09-27 START Partner Center for Biosecurity Launches News
2018-11-29 START recognized by Defence Technology Institute for its multidisciplinary collaborative work News
2016-10-06 START research contributes to radiation safety guide News
2015-04-29 START researcher presents paper on preventing illegal weapons trafficking in international waters at CBRNe USA Conference News
2013-12-09 START researchers available to discuss radioactive material stolen in Mexico News
2011-09-05 START Researchers Present at American Political Science Association Annual Conference News
2013-03-25 START researchers present work on transnational criminal organizations, terrorism and radiological/nuclear (RN) smuggling Featured Research
2013-10-16 START seeking 2014 Outstanding Article Award nominations News
2016-11-29 START student named Marshall Scholar News
2016-04-05 START study leads to support for SLTT officials News
2013-09-25 START Symposium showcases impactful research, datasets News
2012-06-14 START workshop gives better understanding of CBRN technologies News
2015-02-27 The Non-Conventional Threat CBRNe event series comes to America News
2012-03-12 The tradeoffs between protecting against man-made and natural disasters News
Radiological and Nuclear Threats
Name Job Title Institution
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 Murauskaite

Senior Researcher & Simulation Developer, ICONS Project, START

 University of Maryland
Elizabeth Petrun Elizabeth Petrun Sayers

Associate Behavioral and Social Scientist

 RAND Corporation
Emily Iarocci Emily Iarocci

Senior Advisor, TechOp Solutions International
START Researcher Gabrielle Matuzsan Gabrielle Matuzsan

Analyst, Government Accountability Office
Gary Ackerman Gary Ackerman

Associate Professor, SUNY Albany

 University at Albany, State University of New York
Helena Craig

Junior Researcher, UWT

 University of Maryland
Herbert Tinsley

Analyst, Government Accountability Office
James Halverson

Researcher, START

 University of Maryland
Jillian Quigley

J.D. Candidate

 University of Virginia
John Sawyer John Sawyer

Director of Strategic Corporate Research Relationships

 University of Maryland
Joshua House

GIS Coordinator, START

 University of Maryland
Karina Panyan

Research Assistant, Global Terrorism Database (GTD), START

 University of Maryland
Lyubov Mincheva

Executive Director, Graduate Program in International Relations and Security Studies

 University of Sofia, Bulgaria
Marcus A. Boyd

Senior Researcher, GIS, START

Director, Graduate Studies, START

 University of Maryland
Megan Rutter

Junior Researcher, START

 University of Maryland
Michelle Jacome Michelle Jacome

Operations Officer, World Bank
Mila Jonns Mila Johns

Former Researcher

 None
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
Rebecca (Becca) Earnhardt

PhD student

 University of Maryland
Ronald Breiger Ronald Breiger

Professor of Sociology

 University of Arizona
Salma Bouziani

Project Manager/Researcher, START

 University of Maryland
Sarah Spalding Sarah Spalding

Research Associate
Sharad Joshi

Assistant Professor, Middlebury Institute of International Studies

Associate Fellow of International Security, Chatham House

 Middlebury Institute of International Studies
Steve Sin

Director, Unconventional Weapons and Technology (UWT)

Subject Matter Expert Instructor, National Center for Security & Preparedness

 University of Maryland
Tara Kirk Sell

Senior Associate

 Johns Hopkins University
Thomas Guarrieri

Assistant Research Scientist, Unconventional Weapons & Technology (UWT) Division, START

 University of Maryland
Tyler A. Clark

Junior Researcher, UWT

 University of Maryland
Victor Asal

Associate Professor of Political Science and Chair of Public Administration

 University at Albany, State University of New York
Chemical and Biological Threats
Name Job Title Institution
Alexandra Williams

Junior Researcher

 University of Maryland
Emily Iarocci Emily Iarocci

Senior Advisor, TechOp Solutions International
START Researcher Gabrielle Matuzsan Gabrielle Matuzsan

Analyst, Government Accountability Office
Gary Ackerman Gary Ackerman

Associate Professor, SUNY Albany

 University at Albany, State University of New York
Helena Craig

Junior Researcher, UWT

 University of Maryland
Herbert Tinsley

Analyst, Government Accountability Office
Jillian Quigley

J.D. Candidate

 University of Virginia
Karina Panyan

Research Assistant, Global Terrorism Database (GTD), START

 University of Maryland
Lyubov Mincheva

Executive Director, Graduate Program in International Relations and Security Studies

 University of Sofia, Bulgaria
Markus Binder

Project Manager/Researcher, START

 University of Maryland
Megan Rutter

Junior Researcher, START

 University of Maryland
Mila Jonns Mila Johns

Former Researcher

 None
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
Rebecca (Becca) Earnhardt

PhD student

 University of Maryland
Ronald Breiger Ronald Breiger

Professor of Sociology

 University of Arizona
Tara Kirk Sell

Senior Associate

 Johns Hopkins University
Tyler A. Clark

Junior Researcher, UWT

 University of Maryland
Victor Asal

Associate Professor of Political Science and Chair of Public Administration

 University at Albany, State University of New York
Radiological and Nuclear Threats
Thumbnail Abbreviation Title Direct Link
NuFAD Nuclear Facility Attack Database Go
RANNSAD Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries Database (RANNSAD) Go
Chemical and Biological Threats
Thumbnail Abbreviation Title Direct Link
CBAdversary Poisonous Minds: Profiling the CB Adversary Go