Alumni News & Announcements

Previous Disasters Provide Important Lessons for Central America's Recovery from Hurricanes
Jan 11, 2021

As the global community works together to assist Central America in recovering from the disastrous 2020 hurricane season, alum David Groves (cohort '01) and colleagues write, experiences from other recent disaster recovery efforts offer some helpful lessons both for the governments of the region as well as outsiders providing resources and support.
Bad Idea: Overly Focusing on Development and Acquisition Speed
Dec 16, 2020

The Pentagon has in recent years turned its attention to the need for speed in weapons system development and acquisition. Alum Jon Wong (cohort '12) writes that, while shortening the timeline for program development and fielding is important for Defense Department acquisition leaders, overly prioritizing speed can lead to issues with program management, sustainment, and other areas.
Beyond 2020: What Lies Ahead for the Biden-Harris Administration?
Dec 10, 2020

Dean Susan Marquis, journalist Soledad O’Brien, and professors Debra Knopman and Howard Shatz will discuss the changes we can expect from the incoming U.S. administration on issues from energy and climate change to economic policy and COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
For These Alumnae, Games Are Hard Work
Dec 1, 2020

Games are more than just theoretical to alumnae Ellie Bartels (cohort '15), Claire O'Hanlon ('13), and Yuna Wong ('00). Bartels is the new director of the RAND Center for Gaming, O'Hanlon recently launched an online version of her card game ControVersus, and Wong helped create RAND's first publicly available board game, Hedgemony.
APPAM Fall Conference Goes Online
Dec 1, 2020

The 42nd annual fall APPAM Research Conference may have been virtual, but that didn't stop Pardee RAND students, alumni, and faculty (and RAND researchers) from having a real presence.
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.
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.