Sentinel Research & Policy Institute

Innovating National Security Together

Meet the brilliant minds that drive our mission.

Sentinel Research Board of Directors

Shane McNeil

Chairman, Director of Strategic Programs

Shane McNeil is a doctoral student at the Institute of World Politics, specializing in statesmanship and national security. As the Counterintelligence Policy Advisor on the Joint Staff, Mr. McNeil brings a wealth of expertise to the forefront of national defense strategies. In addition to his advisory role, Mr. McNeil is a prolific freelance and academic writer, contributing insightful articles on data privacy, national security, and creative counterintelligence. He also shares his knowledge as a guest lecturer at the University of Maryland, focusing on data privacy and secure communications.

Logan Rogue

Director of Institutional Strategy

Lamia Zia

Director of Communications and External Affairs

Lamia Zia, an academic and researcher, has over a decade of extensive experience in international and digital communication. Currently, she is an affiliate member of the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) and a lecturer in the Communication Department at the University of Maryland.

Lamia’s research also includes the role of emerging technologies in national security, public diplomacy, digital communication, social media, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Lamia has also served as a senior fellow at Texas Tech University’s Institute of Peace and Conflict, where she examined how iconic visuals influence peace and conflict narratives in South Asia. A strong advocate for women’s roles in governance, she co-authored a study linking women’s parliamentary representation in Pakistan to major legislative reforms.

A global traveler, Lamia’s experiences in London, Scotland, Japan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Canada, Germany, Pakistan, Dubai, and the USA have profoundly influenced her professional journey and worldview. She is committed to bridging the gap between academic theories and practical applications in national security and communication. She is particularly focused on the evolving role of digital media in global politics and national security, leveraging her extensive background in digital communication to enrich her academic contributions.

Andrew Rolander

Director of Applied Research

Andrew Rolander is an expert in irregular warfare and strategic competition. 

Carla Renner

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Carla Renner is an M.A. candidate at The Institute of World Politics, pursuing a degree in Strategic Intelligence Studies. With over eight years of experience in international healthcare and global network management under her belt, she brings extensive research experience and strategic analysis to national security topics. Carla specializes in trans-Atlantic affairs, counterintelligence threats, and Asia-Pacific relations.

Missy Pratt

Director of Academic Outreach and Intern Development

Lucy Mathews

Director of Academic Programs

Ms. Mathews is a Project Manager on the International Research, Data, and Technology Security Team at CRDF Global and a Master’s candidate in Statecraft and National Security Affairs at the Institute of World Politics. She leads international capacity-building programs to counter threats posed by the misuse of emerging technologies and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. With a background in emergency response, she brings a strategic approach to security challenges, combining research, policy, and operational planning to safeguard U.S. national security interests.

Kyle D. Johnson

Director of Strategic Policy and Government Engagement

Kyle D. Johnson is a U.S. Army veteran and senior government leader with more than 20 years of distinguished public service across the executive and legislative branches. He has served as chief of staff and senior advisor to elected officials at the local, state, and national levels, leading strategic communications, interagency collaboration, and executive operations to strengthen accountability and advance mission success. He currently serves as chief of staff at a federal agency while pursuing a Doctorate in Statecraft and National Security at the Institute of World Politics.

Editorial Board

Peer Review Panel

This panel is comprised of doctoral students and experts in their field who review and provide academic and professional insights for the Sentinel Review.

Editorial Board

This board is comprised of professors, senior academics, and experts in their field who review and provide academic and professional insights for the Sentinel Journal.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Sentinel Research is an independent academic research organization dedicated to the study of national security, intelligence, and counterintelligence threats. Several academic researchers and members of the Board of Directors are federal employees, including those serving in various agencies within the Department of Defense and the U.S. intelligence community.

All research, publications, and products of Sentinel Research represent the academic opinions of the contributing researchers and the Board of Directors. They are not intended to reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, or any other federal agency. Furthermore, no Sentinel Research products should be interpreted as the professional opinions or official positions of any government agency.

Sentinel Research is committed to maintaining academic integrity and ensuring that all research is conducted using publicly available sources. No government, sensitive, or classified information is used in the development of Sentinel Research products. All findings, analyses, and recommendations are derived exclusively from open-source materials to uphold transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.

Innovating National Security Together