Lauren Bondarenko is a PhD candidate at Texas A&M University studying international relations with a focus on conflict and terrorism. Her research explores the professionalization, management, and decision-making structures of terrorist organizations. She currently teaches an undergraduate course on the causes, consequences, and management of terrorism. She graduated with High Honors from the University of Michigan in Political Science and International Studies in 2014. Currently Lauren is a New Era Fellow with the Bridging the Gap Project. She has been employed by the FBI since 2015. She served in a full-time capacity as business analyst in Washington D.C., where she provided advisory services to executive management. While working toward her PhD, she continues her service in a part-time capacity, supporting matters related to counterintelligence in the Houston Division. She anticipates returning to full-time federal service following her graduation in May 2022.