Katherine is a Ph.D. candidate in security studies interested in grand strategy, civil-military affairs, alliance dynamics and national security decision-making processes. Her dissertation examines the Sino-Russian relationship and Russian grand strategy. Before commencing her graduate studies at the Woodrow Wilson School, Katherine worked at the Foreign Policy Program of the Brookings Institution. There, she focused on U.S. grand strategy and global political trends, contributing to several books and projects. While in D.C., Katherine also worked with a defense research firm. Katherine speaks Swedish, Russian and French. She grew up on a family farm near Middleburg, Virginia, and enjoys photography, tennis and traveling.