Ira Pastor, ideaXme life sciences ambassador, interviews Dr. Brian Holmes, Dean of the School of Science and Technology Intelligence within the National Intelligence University.
Ira Pastor Comments:
US National Intelligence
Intelligence is broadly defined as “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.”
The National Intelligence University
The National Intelligence University (NIU), is a federally chartered research university which serves as the United States Intelligence Community’s institution for higher learning in fields of study central to the profession of intelligence and national security.
The NIU’s interdisciplinary programs emphasize education through scholarly and applied research designed to help U.S. intelligence officers better understand the diverse range of geopolitical, strategic, and technological threats and opportunities affecting intelligence and national security.
The university is organized into two separate academic units: the College of Strategic Intelligence and the Oettinger School of Science and Technology Intelligence. Combined, the colleges cover a diverse and evolving range of international affairs issues and adversarial threats and capabilities, from cultural and religious conflicts, to weapons of mass destruction proliferation, cybersecurity threats, terrorism, transnational crime, and more. NIU is the only university in the United States where students can study and complete research at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level.
Dr. Brian Holmes, Dean of the National Intelligence University
Dr. Brian Holmes is the Dean of the School of Science and Technology Intelligence within the National Intelligence University and this school is the focus for science and technical analytic education, research and external engagement across the intelligence and national security communities.
Dr. Brian Holmes’ Career Path to Intelligence Education
Dr. Holmes received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Clemson University and as a synthetic chemist, has researched multidisciplinary areas of science including aspects of nanotechnology and crystal engineering. He did Post-Doctoral work at University of Minnesota’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science researching organic semiconductors, and then did a two-year American Society for Engineering Education Fellowship with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC studying nano-transistors.
Dr. Holmes also served as an all-source intelligence analyst and Branch Chief in the Defense Intelligence Agencies’ (DIA) Counter-proliferation Support Office from 2006-2010 before accepting a managerial position in the Directorate for Analysis’ Staff Operations Division. He was a Direct Commission intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, serving from 2007-2011 and reached the rank of Lieutenant. For three years he supported the Afghanistan-Pakistan Task Force as an all-source intelligence analyst in DIA’s Directorate for Intelligence.
From 2012-2016, Dr. Holmes chaired the Emerging and Disruptive Technology, Geostrategic Resources and Environment, and Weapons of Mass Destruction concentrations in the National Intelligence University. He serves as an executive representative to the Scientific and Technical Intelligence Committee (STIC) under the auspices of the National Intelligence Council, and directly supports U.S. National Intelligence Priorities Framework. He primarily focuses his research on “dual use” technologies, and the translation of emerging research and development into advanced materials for military systems.
From 2016-2017, Dr. Holmes served as the Associate Dean of the School of Science and Technology Intelligence and then became Dean in Sept 2017.
Dr. Holmes holds patents with the U.S. Navy, has published numerous peer reviewed scientific papers, and received the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Analysis Distinguished Analysis Award in addition to a National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation. On August 07, 2017, Dr. Holmes qualified for the academic title of Professor of Intelligence.
Disclaimer – The views expressed on this ideaXme episode are Dr. Holmes alone and do not represent the official policy or position of the National Intelligence University, the Department of Defense or any of its components, or the U.S. Government.
On this ideaXme episode we will hear from Dr. Holmes about:
His background; how he developed an interest in science, in chemistry, and a little bit of his journey through the worlds of academia, the military, and into the intelligence domain. An introductory walk through the NIU, its history, where it sits within the U.S. intelligence community. An overview of some of the different academic programs (with a focus on his domain of Science and Technology Intelligence), and a bit of the profile of typical applicants / admission criteria of NIU. How the NIU stays “ahead of the curve” in teaching about both about novel threats, and novel innovations / interventions, in the intelligence space. Some of these “dual use” opportunities he sees emerging from the Science and Technology Intelligence domain which may offer for future benefits in the civilian sector, for areas like global warming and environmental contamination / oils spills.
Credits: Ira Pastor interview video, text, and audio.
If you enjoyed this interview you might also like our interview with Dr. Tara O’Toole: The CIA and Stopping the Next Pandemic.
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