Alumni News & Announcements

The Benefits and Costs of Decarbonizing Costa Rica's Economy
Nov 24, 2020

Costa Rica set the ambitious goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. Alumni David Groves and Edmundo Molina-Perez, with students James Syme and Carlos Calvo Hernandez, evaluated the benefits and costs of its National Decarbonization Plan and found that under most plausible assumptions about the future, the plan would achieve or nearly achieve its goals and do so at a net economic benefit.
Korea Experts Bennett, Han Retire
Nov 23, 2020

Bruce Bennett (cohort '75), a RAND senior international and defense researcher, and Yong-Sup Han ('88), former vice president and director of the Korean National Defense University, both (officially) retired this summer. Their careers were both remarkable.
Securing Election 2020: A Panel Discussion
Oct 29, 2020

From the logistical hurdles of conducting an election during a global pandemic to ongoing risks of foreign meddling and disinformation campaigns, this year’s U.S. election will be unlike any other in recent history. The Pardee RAND Graduate School is pleased to convene this virtual discussion on election security.
How Can Green Infrastructure Help to Manage Rainfall in an Urban Watershed?
Oct 29, 2020

Cities across the United States are struggling to effectively manage stormwater. A study by Jordan Fischbach (cohort '04) and David Catt ('16) shows how the challenges of increasing volumes of stormwater in a complex urban environment can be addressed by a mix of solutions.
Managing Heavy Rainfall with Green Infrastructure
Oct 26, 2020

Alum Jordan Fischbach (cohort '04), student David Catt ('16) and colleagues evaluated Pittsburgh's Negley Run watershed to explore how eco-friendly stormwater infrastructure could reduce flooding and provide positive economic benefits in areas that face urgent flood risk.
Predisaster Conditions, Hurricane Damage, and Recovery Needs in Puerto Rico
Sep 30, 2020

Puerto Rico was facing challenges and stressors prior to the 2017 hurricane season. A comprehensive assessment of those issues and the damage caused by Hurricane Maria and other 2017 storms identifies short- and longer-term needs for Puerto Rico to recover and to build resilience to future storms.
Hedgemony: A Game of Strategic Choices
Sep 22, 2020

Alum Yuna Wong (cohort '00) helped to develop this tabletop military strategy game in which players represent the United States, its allies, and its key competitors. They must use “hedging” strategies and decide how to best manage their resources and forces.
Alum: In North Korea, The U.S. Could Take the Lead
Aug 17, 2020

North Korea is hurting: its economy is stagnant and it is having trouble feeding even its elites because of the UN/U.S. sanctions designed to pressure North Korean toward denuclearization. Bruce Bennett (cohort '75) says a combined carrot and stick approach may help overcome some of North Korea's reluctance to negotiate the future of its nuclear weapons program.
Why Do Some Medical Practices Pursue Medical Home Recognition?
Aug 3, 2020

Financial incentives, being in a statewide effort, and improving care or experiences were the most common reasons practice leaders decided to obtain and maintain patient-centered medical home recognition.
Alum: How to Reform Military Gear Transfers to Police
Jul 13, 2020

Police officers equipped like soldiers have appeared on the streets of American cities amid recent protests over George Floyd's killing. Alum Jack Riley (cohort '88) asks, how should lawmakers reform a program that makes use of excess equipment and is popular with police departments, but that also raises substantial concerns about the militarization of policing?
Book Review: 'The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare' by Christian Brose
Jul 2, 2020

As the Pentagon and commercial technologists continue to explore the potential of commercial technologies for the military and work towards greater adoption, Alum Jon Wong (cohort '12) says they may wish to focus not only on lowering bureaucratic barriers but also on managing expectations about what technologies will be most beneficial and how they will be used.
Opportunities for Including the Information Environment in U.S. Marine Corps Wargames
Jul 1, 2020

Wargaming is enjoying renewed prominence in the defense community, yet the information environment remains underdeveloped and underrepresented in wargames.
Revoking the 'License to Drink': Emerging Evidence on Mandatory Sobriety
Jun 29, 2020

After counties in South Dakota implemented a 24/7 sobriety program, repeat arrests for impaired driving decreased in the counties by an average of 12%. North Dakota implemented a similar program and also saw decreases in impaired driving. Alum Greg Midgette and Prof. Beau Kilmer ask, Can the same results be achieved outside of the Dakotas?
Profile of Black Emergency Doctors Features Alum
Jun 8, 2020

Janice Blanchard (cohort '98) was one of three DC-area black emergency physicians featured by local NPR station WAMU. "I think as a black doctor, it’s my responsibility to do everything in my power to make sure that a black patient is getting fair treatment," she said.
Bowman Honored as NM 40 Under Forty
Jun 2, 2020

As chief information and strategy officer for Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico's largest school district, alum Richard Bowman (cohort '06) is quite busy these days. But the recipient of a 2020 "New Mexico 40 Under Forty" award was happy to make some time for an interview.
Alum Describes Results of USC Antibody Study
May 28, 2020

Neeraj Sood (cohort '99) joined KTLA-TV live via Skype to talk about the results of the COVID-19 Antibody Study led by his team at the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Alum and Prof Present Options for Designing a Public Option
May 28, 2020

State and federal policymakers are considering adding state-backed public options to the individual market in an effort to expand health coverage and improve affordability. Alum Jodi Liu (cohort '12) and Prof. Christine Eibner analyzed what would happen if public options became available in U.S. health insurance exchanges.
Alum: How Would a Public Option on Health Insurance Affect Costs and Coverage?
May 28, 2020

Interest in a government-sponsored health insurance plan with publicly determined provider rates is growing. An analysis by Jodi Liu (cohort '12) and RAND colleagues looked at four such "public option" plans and found that lower provider payment rates would lower premiums. But the impact on enrollees would also depend on tax credits, and changes to the number of uninsured would be small.
Alum Finds Pandemic May Led to Increased Childhood Obesity
May 27, 2020

The childhood obesity rate in the United States may increase by 2.4% if school closures continue into December, according to a new study by Ruopeng An (cohort '08), an assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University who studies obesity and social determinants of health.
Alum and Prof: Emergency COVID-19 Aid Helps College Students with Food and Housing
May 26, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has expanded the pool of cash-strapped college students, but many were already struggling. Alum Lindsay Daugherty (cohort '05) and Prof. Drew Anderson say the crisis could draw attention to food and housing insecurity among college students, and give college leaders a chance to consider how to address these needs more systematically over the long-term.