Current Graduate Students

Headshot of SPI student Elizabeth Anderson

Jim Allred is the Staff Assistant (2023-2024) for the Space Policy Institute. Always looking for ways to contribute, for the next adventure. Having lived many careers: IBM, United States Navy, Bank of America, now, Jim looks upward towards the stars to help humanity. Jim is pursuing a Master of Arts in the International Science and Technology Policy Program with a concentration in Space Policy in the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. Filled with vast and diverse experiences and interests, Jim provides the Space Policy Institute with leadership, expertise, compassion, and open eyes to new possibilities that await us in nearby planets, moons, and the stars beyond.  Jim graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science Business Administration, International Business in 1995 and a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science in 1997. While serving in the United State Navy in the Indo-Pacific fleet from Japan onboard the USS ESSEX (LHD-2), Jim graduated with a Master in Strategic Intelligence in 2008.

Rana Alshaeri is a second year graduate student in the ISTP program concentrating in Space Policy. In 2018, she graduated from Dar Al-Hekma University in Saudi Arabia with a Bachelor degree in Law, and pursued a legal career as a lawyer concentrating in contracts and commercial law. In 2021, she graduated from King Abdulaziz University with an L.L.M degree, where her thesis discussed the Intellectual Property of Software. After her L.L.M degree she pursued an academic career in addition to her career as a lawyer, working part-time as a law lecturer in both civil and common law courses at the College of law and Judicial Studies at the University of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. She’s always been interested in space and the legal perspective of space explorations and technologies. With the establishment of the Saudi Space Commission, she knew she wanted to be involved in shaping the Kingdom’s national and international space policies and regulations. She received a scholarship that ends with employment from the Saudi Space Commission to study Space Policy abroad and has the privilege to be amongst the first Saudis to specialize in Space Policy. 

Headshot of SPI student Elizabeth Anderson

Elizabeth Anderson is a second-year graduate student in the International Science and Technology Policy program. Her areas of concentration are space policy and national security. She currently works as an International Program Specialist at NASA’s Office of International and Interagency Relations where her portfolio is focused on Earth science and emerging international partnerships. Elizabeth previously worked at Space Foundation as a government affairs specialist, and interned at NASA’s Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, the US Department of Defense, and the US Senate. She graduated magna cum laude from American University with a BA in International Studies in 2021. Elizabeth is also a recipient of the Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship and proficient in three foreign languages. In her free time, she practices jiu jitsu and enjoys playing pool (poorly) at dive bars.

Picture of SPI student Andrew Basham

Andrew Basham is a continuing graduate student at the Space Policy Institute with a background in satellite telecommunications. He works as the Lead for Ground Impact Analysis on Intelsat’s C-Band Transition team and previously contributed to developing architecture for next-generation software-defined satellite networks, operations support systems improvements, and product readiness assurance.He graduated from the University of the Pacific with a B.A. in International Relations & Global Studies and Political Science. As an undergraduate he interned with the Department of State’s Office of Press and Public Diplomacy within the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the U.K. House of Commons. He was a 2010 Council of American Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg Fellow and a 2013 Public Policy Leadership Fellow with The Fund for American Studies. Andrew’s primary professional interests are unlocking the full potential of space to foster global communications and ensuring communications technology provides free and easy access to markets and information worldwide. His research interests include U.S. spectrum policy, privatization in the space industry, and the role of communications technology in diplomacy.

Picture of SPI student Luke Baxter

Luke Baxter is a first-year graduate student at the Space Policy Institute. He is currently a Leahy Vetting Officer at the U.S. Department of State, overseeing the implementation of the Leahy Laws and working human rights issues. Luke has also served as the Chairman of an election precinct for the Alaska Division of Elections and as a Cyber Systems Operations Specialist for the United States Air Force. Luke graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in International Politics. He is pursuing both a M.A. in Security Policy Studies and a Graduate Certificate in International Science and Technology Policy. His academic and professional interests are emerging threats, human security, and strategic competition in space. In his free time, Luke enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants with his wife.

Picture of student Eleanor Creasey

Ellie Creasey is a second-year graduate student at the Space Policy Institute. She received her bachelor’s degree cum laude from the University of Colorado Boulder in history and political science with a minor in interdisciplinary space studies. Her undergraduate thesis analyzed the political doctrine of Condoleezza Rice and provided novel analysis on neoconservative international theory. Ellie is currently an intern at the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center where she researches the geopolitical consequences of emerging technologies. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, Ellie worked with the Department of State and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to find and develop innovative solutions to issues of national security. Her research focuses on how the inflation of geopolitical conflict, and respective diplomatic efforts, will affect the fate of the global space commons.

Picture of student Jessica Denham

Jessica Denham is a second-year graduate student at the Space Policy Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Oregon. She works at the Aerospace Corporation, where she is a member of the Horizon Scanning Cadre, the Strategic Advisory Council, and the Ideation Dev Team. She also curates a daily tech newsletter that aggregates emerging topics in multiple STEM disciplines. She intends to pursue a career in international space policy, futurism, and strategic foresighting. Jessica is a Distinguished Toastmaster. In her free time, she enjoys word games and backpacking.

Picture of student Jessica Denham
Picture of student Jessica Denham

Masatoshi “Toshi” Ebara is a first-year graduate student at the Space Policy Institute with a background in Space/Defense Systems Engineering and Business Development He works as Executive Professional for NEC Corporation in Japan, a Tier1 Prime Contractor for Space and Defense Systems. He is a 17+ years expert on Space Systems Project Management and Systems Engineering in the areas of Interplanetary Explorers, LEO EO satellites, and LEO constellations. He also has 6+ year experience in Space utilization, like commercial satellite imagery sales, missile defense and SSA(Space Situational Awareness).He has a M.A. in Astronomy at the University of Tokyo and did his academic research as a JAXA project assistant, which helped him hold a Scientist mindset. Toshi’s primary goal is to find a way for the Government, Academia, and Industry to talk the same language. Therefore, his research will cover the best practices of Space International cooperation, Diplomacy drivers, and policy to handle innovative new technology. His main focus will be, how the private sector can contribute to these efforts.

Sophie Goguichvili is a first-year graduate student in the International Science and Technology Policy program concentrating in Space Policy. She currently works as a Program Associate with the Wilson Center’s Science and Technology and Innovation Program, working on space, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology policy broadly. In her role, she leads the Wilson Center’s Across Karman initiative which aims to bring space policy back down to Earth by helping people and policymakers understand how space systems and space-enabled technologies contribute to our day-to-day lives. She also manages the Wilson Center Technology Labs, the flagship training series for Legislative and Executive Branch staff on foundational topics in AI and cybersecurity, which aim to foster a more informed and effective technology policy environment. Previously, Sophie worked as the Executive Speechwriter for former Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA-36) during her tenure as CEO and President of the Wilson Center. She received her BA in International Studies from American University and is a fluent speaker of French and Georgian.

Katrina Lee is a first year graduate student in the ISTP program concentrating in Space Policy. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College in 2023. Previously, Katrina has interned at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a Communications and Engagement Intern in NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Division. She accepted a full-time position in July 2023, as the Engagement Officer for NASA’s Commercialization, Innovation, and Synergies (CIS)  Office. In her role, Katrina supports engagement opportunities with the goal of promoting partnerships with private entities, civil and defense agencies, and other nation’s governments to further space communication and navigation capabilities. She also was a Legislative Fellow at a lobbying firm called Monument Advocacy, where she had the opportunity to work with space clients and conduct legislative research. As part of the ISTP program, She is excited about researching the development of international cooperation in space, and how that is evolving with the introduction of the private sector. 

Yubi Peterson is a first year graduate student in the ISTP program concentrating on Space Policy. She currently works at Peace Corps as a Product Manager and IT Specialist. Previously, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English in Guizhou, China. She graduated from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa with a Bachelors in Computer Science and in Economics. She has an interest in orbital debris removal and the use of space technologies in the Arctic. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, surfing, and scuba diving.

Image of Ryan Puleo

Ryan Puleo is a first-year master’s student at the Elliott School’s Space Policy Institute. Ryan graduated magna cum laude from The George Washington University in 2023 with a B.A. in International Affairs, a concentration in international economics, and a minor in economics. He currently works as an analyst at BryceTech and his work concentrates on financial and economic analysis. Ryan has worked on BryceTech’s annual Start-up Space report for the past three years and has a keen interest in the economics and business of the space industry. During his time at SPI, Ryan will research how the business of the space industry has evolved in recent years, as well as what the future of this field will look like. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing soccer, reading, and watching GW’s basketball teams. 

Picture of Adam Stegall

Adam Stegal is a second-year ISTP graduate student focusing on space policy. He graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2021 with a BS in Computer Science specializing in artificial intelligence & robotics, and a minor in Security & Intelligence Studies. He holds a previous BA in Business Administration/Economics from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. His research interests focus on the intersections of space policy, national security, and artificial intelligence. Adam is continuing a federal internship for a second year, helping to design a neurodiversity program that will be implemented across multiple agencies. Adam is the proud product of a Work College, which instilled a triad of work, service, and academics. He currently serves on the Presidential Selection Committee for Warren Wilson College, as Past-President of the Alumni Board, and recently completed a term on the Board of Trustees. He is an LGBTQ+ youth advocate, and recently served in leadership on the Board of Directors of Time Out Youth, which provides programs and services to over 1,300 LGBTQ+ youth in the greater Charlotte area. Adam is an avid canoeist, seasoned globetrotter, and adventure junkie, and enjoys cooking long, leisurely meals on remote mountaintops.

Image of Sydney Wisnosky

Sydney Wisnosky is a first-year graduate student with an International Space Policy concentration within the International Science and Technology Policy program. While studying biology and criminology at the University of Miami for her undergraduate degree, she interned on the NASA Ames Extractor for Chemical Analysis of Lipid Biomarkers in Regolith (ExCALiBR) Project through the Axient Corporation. She has presented research at the 2022 Astrobiology Science Conference where she was awarded the NASA Mars Exploration Program Student Travel Grant to attend the conference. As she begins the ISTP program, she is excited to explore her interests in the policy side of planetary exploration as well as combine space with her previous criminology studies to explore the national security aspect of space policy. 

Image of Elif Yüksel

Elif Yüksel is a young space professional and a Fulbrighter aiming at specializing in space policy issues at the Space Policy Institute. Connecting diplomacy and cooperation, she makes an effort to facilitate research in policies paving ways to use space applications for their integration into roadmaps. She worked as a long-term research intern at EURISY, European Space Agencies Associations, in the use of space applications for societal benefits. She is an alumnus of International Space University where she participated in the Space Studies Program (SSP’21). She graduated from International Relations BA program, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University. She has been a Datanaut selected by NASA to work interdisciplinarily for Open NASA’s Datanaut Program as a volunteer in 2018. She also worked as an intern at TUBITAK UZAY, Space Technologies and Research Institute, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.