Ali Isse is a third-year PhD candidate in Security Studies and International Affairs Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs, advised by Professor Christopher Chyba. His research explores the strategic dimensions of nuclear deterrence, coercive diplomacy, and preemption doctrine, focusing on how great powers craft grand strategies to counter nuclear proliferation across diverse geopolitical regions.

Ali has a diverse professional background, having worked in urban planning, research, and grant writing. These roles equipped him with skills in policy analysis, strategic planning, and resource mobilization, enriching his approach to understanding the intersection of policy and practice.

Before joining Princeton, Ali earned an MA in Political Science from the University of Chicago, an MS in City & Regional Planning from The Ohio State University, and a BA from the University of Texas. He also broadened his academic perspective through study abroad programs at the University of Cambridge and National Taipei University in Taiwan. Fluent in English, Arabic, Somali and Swahili, Ali draws on his global academic and cultural experiences to inform his research. Outside of academia, he enjoys traveling, playing soccer, chess, and bike riding.

Kelley is a native of Alexandria, Virginia. She is a 2000 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship program via the Corps of Cadets. As a Surface Warfare Officer, Kelley has served on multiple combatants to include USS SEATTLE (AOE-3), USS GETTYSBURG (CG-64), USS MUSTIN (DDG-89), and commanded USS TYPHOON (PC-5) and USS DONALD COOK (DDG-75). In August 2004, Kelley received her Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University. She subsequently served on staffs at the Department of State, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for operations, plans and strategy (N3/N5), and Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy. Kelley is interested in the evolving strategic partnership between China and Russia, and its impact on international security structure.

Haneen is interested in safety and security for a more prosperous and peaceful world for everyone. She hails from Pakistan and helped found the first and only regional grassroots-powered movement for nuclear security in South Asia. She is passionate about environmental stewardship and building bridges to bring people together. She was recognised as an Obama Foundation Scholar for her work and has spoken and presented on multiple international forums on topics of peace, climate, security, and activism. Haneen believes in community spirit and enjoys trying new kinds of food, traveling, and building connections with people and furry friends.

Hanwoong earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and pursued a master’s degree in Green Business and Policy from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), where he gained a background in energy and climate change, as well as research methodology. Hanwoog's research primarily examines long-term energy transitions at national and subnational levels and evaluates the impact of national energy policies. He served as the lead author on a paper regarding integrated assessment modeling of Korea’s carbon neutrality by 2050 (Kim et al., 2021). Additionally, he investigates the feasibility of emerging energy technologies on the energy system, analyzes mitigation strategies for reducing air pollution, and evaluates associated health impacts. He has also had the opportunity to work as a Research Associate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

Brian is a fourth-year student in the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) Ph.D. program at Princeton. Growing up in the Bay Area, he refused to leave California and majored in economics at the University of California, Davis. As an undergraduate, he worked with Dr. Katherine Eriksson on research related to economic history. After, he moved to Taipei, Taiwan, where he earned his master’s degree in agricultural economics at National Taiwan University with the support of the Fulbright Program. During this time, he worked with Dr. Hung-Hao Chang on research related to agricultural policy and farm household economics in Taiwan. He is interested in inter-disciplinary research at the nexus of agricultural economics, environmental policy, and conservation science. In his free time, he enjoys any and all racket sports such as badminton and tennis, although he should probably focus on mastering one.