Six University of Nebraska students have joined the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) as strategic deterrence interns.
Throughout the summer, they will each use their problem-solving skills to address real-world, mission-related policy and technical challenges for U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), which sponsors NSRI as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC).
"Through this experience, these students will have the opportunity to dive deeply into USSTRATCOM’s primary focus — strategic deterrence," said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. "Especially given current events, this is an extremely valuable experience for these young leaders who could quite possibly be contributing significantly to our Nation’s national security in the future — we certainly hope to inspire them to aim for that ambitious target."
NSRI Strategic Deterrence Interns from the University of Nebraska
Grace Farson
Mathematics
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Derek Pavelka
Mathematics and political science
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Nina Preston
Economics
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Caden Punteney
Computer science
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Jordan Schnell
Cyber security operations
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Grant VanRobays
Political science
University of Nebraska at Omaha
To explore challenges related to USSTRATCOM’s primary nuclear deterrence mission, the interns will examine two key areas of significant interest to the Command — Game Theory and electromagnetic spectrum operations.
Led by NSRI Fellows Dr. Dustin White, assistant professor of economics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Dr. Jacques Bou Abdo, assistant professor of cyber systems at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the Game Theory interns will work to improve decision making in strategic relationships, particularly in the new era of tripolar nuclear rivals.
Game Theory is a branch of mathematics used to model strategic interactions between individuals or groups with diverging incentives. While it was employed extensively in the Cold War, coming of age in the context of that bipolar nuclear competition, little research has been conducted to extend that formal methodology for application in the new geopolitical environment in which the U.S. finds itself facing two peer nuclear rivals for the first time in its history.
"Our group will assess decisions different actors will make based on different outcomes and evaluate why one decision would be preferred over another decision," Derek said. "We will really be looking at things in terms of payoffs and consequences.
"The University of Nebraska System having NSRI and experience like this means students who have interest in national security like me can get a jump start for their careers."
The second group of interns will work under the guidance of USSTRATCOM advisors as well as Allen Geist, NSRI director for electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) programs, to apply best practices in crowdsourced radio frequency network penetration testing to protect networks from vulnerabilities in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). EMS superiority is essential to successful modern military operations to mitigate risks to U.S. national and economic security. USSTRATCOM leads advocacy for EMS for the DOD.
"The project I’m working on will help support USSTRATCOM by enabling them to see new perspectives and new ways to protect the electromagnetic spectrum," Jordan said. "Overall, I wanted to pursue this internship in order to gain more experience in the cyber security realm, but then also to learn more about national security and be able to help defend the country."
Through a range of tasks, including reviewing prior unclassified work, developing a research concept, conducting test planning and execution and more, the interns will conduct academically rigorous research while expanding their skill sets.
Ultimately, they will report research findings and offer recommendations for future research to NSRI and USSTRATCOM by the time their appointments end in August. They will also have the opportunity to brief USSTRATCOM leadership at the Command’s headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb.
"After graduation, I hope to get a job in cyber security or national security, and NSRI is a great place to get my foot in the door in the industry," Caden said. "Being one of only 14 UARCs in the country, NSRI gives students a great opportunity to improve their professional skills and learn in depth about national security."
Learn more about NSRI’s student opportunities at nsri.nebraska.edu/workforce.
###
About the National Strategic Research Institute
Through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska leading scientists deliver innovative national security research, technology, product and strategy development, training and exercises, and subject matter expertise to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. One of only 14 DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Centers in the country, NSRI is sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command and works to ensure the United States’ safety and preparedness against increasingly sophisticated threats. Read about our mission.
