Dr. Michael Loadenthal is the founder and Executive Director of the Prosecution Project. Dr. Loadenthal holds a Ph.D. from the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, and a Master’s degree in Terrorism Studies from the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews. Dr. Loadenthal has published frequently in venues including Critical Studies on Terrorism, Perspectives on Terrorism, Journal of Applied Security Research, Radical Criminology, Global Society, and the Journal for the Study of Radicalism, which described his work as “the cutting edge of movement Studies” (2016, 10:2; 5). His most recent single-authored book, The Politics of Attack (Manchester University, 2017), investigates contemporary, clandestine networks of insurrectionary anarchists and the development of the communique. He has also co-edited The Routledge History of World Peace since 1750 (2018), From Environmental Loss to Resistance (University of Massachusetts, 2020), and Prosecuting Political Violence (Routledge, 2021)–a book collaboratively written by more than a dozen tPP student team members. Dr. Loadenthal serves as the Executive Director of the Peace and Justice Studies Association, an Assistant Professor at the Global Center for Advanced Studies, and a contract-based security researcher and trainer. He has previously worked as a professor of sociology, terrorism studies, and research methods for Miami University, the University of Cincinnati, George Mason University, Georgetown University, the University of Malta’s Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, and Jessup Correctional Institution’s Prison Scholars Program.

Izzy Bielamowicz (Co-Director of Communications) graduated from Miami University in May 2020 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Criminology. Izzy has been with tPP since August 2018 and has focused her research on grounded theory, analyzing relationships and patterns within the database. Among other topics, Izzy has studied the impact of citizenship status, FTO affiliation, and ‘othered-ness’ on a defendant’s sentence length. Her research on this subject was published in February 2021. In the Summer of 2019, Izzy participated in the Miami University ‘Inside Washington’ program, interning for the United States House of Representatives. Izzy intends to pursue a career in women’s advocacy or with the intelligence community and is currently preparing to apply to law school.

Katie Blowers (Director of Audits) is a senior at Miami University pursuing a degree in both political science and psychology with a focus on security and international law. Katie has been with tPP since January of 2019, and has focused her work on coding cases, refining procedures, and leading audits. She hopes to use this research to further explore her interest in law and terrorism studies.

Megan Burtis (Director of Training) is a Senior pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a Co-Major in Global & Intercultural Studies as well as a Master’s Degree in Political Science with a focus on comparative politics at Miami University . She also plans to apply to law school next year. She joined the tPP team in Spring 2019 and hopes to gain more knowledge about the United States’ legal system through the specialized focus on terrorism and other forms of political violence. In the Summer of 2019, Megan worked as a legal intern for the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio and plans to work for a similar non-profit, nongovernmental organization after graduation. 

Athena Chapekis (Director of Data Science) is a data scientist based out of Washington, DC specializing in data management and quantitative analysis. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Social Data Science from the London School of Economics and a B.A. in Sociology from Miami University. Some of her work includes The prosecution of “others”: presidential rhetoric and the interrelation of framing, legal prosecutions, and the Global War on Terror (2019) and “What’s in a name?”: The construction of eco-terrorism and legal reprecussions of the AEPA/AETA (2021). Athena has been with the Prosecution Project since its inception in 2017. 

Morgan Demboski (Co-Director of Communications) graduated from Miami University in May 2020 with a degree in Social Justice Studies (concentration in Crime & Law) and a minor in Political Science. In addition to working as a Threat Intelligence Analyst for the company IronNet Cybersecurity, Morgan is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Intelligence and Security Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Intelligence Analysis through The Citadel in Charleston, SC. As Co-Director of Communications, she focuses on designing and managing the tPP website, overseeing the project’s social media accounts, and devising strategies to increase tPP’s public visibility and promote the project’s current research. Morgan has been with tPP since August 2017, becoming a member of the tPP Steering Team in August 2019 and Co-Director of Communications in May 2020.

Lauren Donahoe (Co-Deputy Director) graduated from Miami University in May 2019 with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Medical Sociology. She has been with the Prosecution Project since Fall 2017 and has worked in various roles including coder and Director of Audits. She is currently serving as the Co-Deputy Director. Lauren is attending Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine beginning August 2021.

Alexandria Doty (she/her/hers) (Director of Records) graduated from Miami University in May of 2019. Doty is currently in her 2nd year at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and will be spending her summer working for the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. Doty has been with tPP since January of 2018, and has focused her research on the intersection of gender and domestic terrorism. She will be continuing to work on the project with a focus on organizing project records and data standardization. 

Brendan McNamara (Director of Finance) is a recent graduate of Miami University where he obtained a B.A. in Political Science. He is currently a first year law student at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Brendan has been with tPP since January 2019 and has worked on researching and coding cases for the dataset, as well as auditing and several finance and administrative projects.

Madison Weaver (Co-Deputy Director & Project Manager of January’s Capitol Cases) is a recent graduate from Miami University. She obtained a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy with a minor in rhetorical English. She is starting her first year at Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University in August 2021. She has a focus on cognitive psychology and how racial identity plays a role within the US court system. Madison has been with tPP since January 2019 and hopes to use this research to further her interest in law and terrorism studies. Madison is now serving as Co-Deputy Director starting in Summer 2021. 

Sheryl Bellagamba is a Senior at University of Perugia (Italy), pursuing a degree in Political Science and International Relations. Sheryl joined tPP as a Pre-coder in May 2021. She hopes to gain knowledge about the criminal justice system in general, and be more familiar with the dynamics of political/criminal violence and terrorism. After graduation, she is going to pursue a degree in International Relations, with a focus on international security and conflict studies. Sheryl is also a member of ELSA Perugia, local section of The European Law Students’ Association, as a Director for Academic Activities.

Catie Barry is a Junior at Miami University pursuing a degree in Sociology, with a focus in Criminology. She has been with tPP since the Spring of 2020, and joined to expand her knowledge on the prosecution of terrorism and learn more about process of coding in general. Her work as a pre-coder primarily deals with research, and cleaning and organizing data. Catie has had experience in prosecution from interning at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in summer 2019 and plans to continue to attend law school after graduating.

 Katherine Coate graduated from Miami University with a degree in Diplomacy and Global Politics and minors in German and European Area Studies in May 2021. Katherine has been with tPP since August 2019. As a senior coder Katherine has enjoyed learning about the criminal justice system and doing social science research. Katherine was an intern at the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants for the 2019 summer and was a Miami University Global Studies Scholar. She is currently looking for a job in public policy research or refugee programing.

Greg Elliott is a freshman at Selkirk College currently pursuing a Liberal Arts Diploma in Law and Justice Studies. Greg plans on later transferring to the University of Victoria to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science & Environmental Studies, and potentially entering law school post-graduation. Greg has been with tPP since April of 2021, and hopes to hone his research and data collection abilities for further political studies while with the project. The experience gained and time spent with tPP will also be an important component of future law school pursuits.

Hallie Filson is a recent graduate from Miami University, where she studied Diplomacy & Global Politics, with minors in French and Criminology. Hallie is a coder and has been with tPP since the summer of 2020. Joining tPP to learn more about how terrorism and the legal system interact, Hallie hopes to continue her interest in the subject as she continues to work on tPP.

Kate Freeman (Advisory Board Coordinator & Outreach Coordinator) graduated from Miami University in January of 2020 with degrees in psychology and individualized studies. Her previous work centers on masculinities and its intersections with other identities. Kate joined tPP team in July of 2020 to assist in managing communications with collaborators and team members, and in November 2020 began serving as coordinator of tPP’s Advisory Board. Through this project, she hopes to strengthen her passion for social justice and advocacy as well as her skills in data analysis. Kate plans to attend Case Western Reserve University in the fall of 2021 for her PhD in sociology.

Abby Goldman is a recent graduate from the London School of Economics, where she studied Human Rights and Politics. Her research at LSE focused on transitional justice and international refugee law. Abby joined tPP in December 2020, and is looking forward to developing a more systemic understanding of the injustices that she has witnessed during her work in the non-profit sector. Abby also recently finished an internship with the Commonwealth Human Rights initiative and served as Events Officer for LSE’s chapter of Student Action for Refugees.

Sara Godfrey is a Senior at Miami University pursuing bachelor’s degrees in international studies and economics with minors in Arabic and Islamic studies. Her studies concentrate on international economic development, and peace and conflict resolution, with a regional focus on the Middle East. Sara has been with tPP since the fall of 2019 and currently works as an auditor with a focus on foreign terrorist organizations and Jihadi-Salafi ideological affiliates.

Sami Hausserman is a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University pursuing a masters degree in social work with a focus on community practice for social justice. She graduated from Miami University in May with a degree in Social Justice Studies and Comparative Religion. Sami has been with tPP since September 2020, and is interested in ways that this project could influence criminal justice reform, as well as the effects of religion on acts of political violence.

Caelan Johnston is a junior at Georgetown University pursuing a degree in Justice and Peace Studies with a focus on conflict transformation and sociology. Caelan has been with tPP since December 2020, joining as a pre-coder. Caelan hopes to hone her research skills and to fully immerse herself in the legal aspects of political violence with the project. Caelan is also a part of The Global Campaign for Peace Education.

Maya Knepp is a Senior at Georgetown University pursuing degrees in Government and Justice & Peace Studies. Maya has been with tPP since December 2020, starting as a pre-coder. Maya hopes to gain real world exposure to and experience with the criminal justice system as she hopes to attend law school after graduation.

Margaret Kolozsvary graduated from Miami University in the Spring of 2021. She has been with tPP since Fall 2019 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a Political Science major and Social Justice Studies Major. Margaret has interned with the New Hampshire Public Defenders and will be starting her legal career at New York Law School in August 2021 and hopes to pursue prosecution law or public interest law. 

Mattie Lee is a Senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University pursuing a degree in Homeland Security with dual minors in Global Conflict Studies and Psychology. Mattie has been with tPP since May 2021. She hopes to gain practical research experience and expand her knowledge in domestic and foreign terrorism activities and consequences.

Bianca McIver is a Junior at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts pursuing a degree in Political Science and Economics. Bianca has been with tPP since May 2021, and has served as a pre-coder for the project. She hopes to gain more experience in the legal field and learn more about the criminal justice system in the United States with hopes of eventually having a career in law or public policy. Bianca is also a member of the Holy Cross Women’s Rowing Team and is an intern at the Worcester Trial Court in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Zion Miller is a first year law student at Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law. He has been a member of tPP since Fall 2019, was a member of Miami University’s mock trial team, and has interned for the Kenton County Prosecutor’s Office in Covington, Kentucky. By participating in tPP, he hopes to learn more about the prosecution of extremism and eventually start a career in either law or policy.

Max Paley is a junior at Georgetown University pursuing a degree in English and Justice & Peace Studies with a minor in Film and Media Studies. Max has been with tPP since April 2021. Max hopes to learn more about the justice system through working on the project with hopes of attending law school in the future. Max is also a part of the Alexander Hamilton Society and has his New York State Real Estate Salespersons License.

Natasha Pardo is a graduate student in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Peace and Conflict Studies. Natasha has been with tPP since May 2021. Thus far Natasha’s academic journey has been conflict-heavy in focus, concentrating on areas of large scale, armed conflict, genocide incubation and expressions of ideologically motivated extremism and radicalization resulting in violence. Natasha is interested in further education and employment within terrorism studies and terrorism-focused intelligence.

Ellie Piszel is a senior at Miami University pursuing a degree in linguistics, as well as a degree in sociology, with a focus in criminology, and a Spanish minor. Ellie has been with tPP since Summer of 2020 and has focused on pre-coding, coding, and working on the summer uprising cases and Capitol riot cases. She hopes to learn more about the criminal justice system in the U.S. especially in relation to terrorism. She also hopes to grow in her research abilities through this project. Ellie has also been an intern for Butler County Adult Probation. 

Dr. Simon Purdue is a recent PhD graduate from Northeastern University. His research focuses on gender and extremism, specifically the modern extreme-right. He has written extensively on radicalization, violence, terrorism and propaganda, and he is currently working on his first monograph, entitled ‘Intersectional Hate: Race, Gender and Violence on the Transatlantic Extreme-Right, 1969-2009’.  

Varshini Regupathy is a freshman at Georgetown University pursuing a degree in Business and Global Affairs, with a minor in Justice and Peace Studies. Varshini has been with tPP since March 2021, and has served as a pre-coder with the project. At tPP, she hopes to gain more experience in the legal field and knowledge about the criminal justice system in general. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a law degree and a career in the field of criminal justice.

Megan Roques is a junior at Miami University pursuing degrees in Biology and Political Science with a co-major in Pre-Medical Studies and a minor in Economics. Megan has been with tPP since August 2019 joined to expand her knowledge about terrorism and how these acts are treated in our legal system. She intends to further her education and attend medical school upon graduation with the hopes of obtaining and MD/JD dual degree. Megan is also a part of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), Miami’s Activities & Programming, the Honors Program, and the Society for Women in Medicine.

Luke Schlake is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky majoring in economics and  minoring in Arabic and political science. His interests within economics revolve around data analytics and its applications to fight organized crime. Luke joined tPP in April 2021 as pre-coder. He is excited to develop his data science abilities working on the Prosecution Project and hopes to develop foundational skills for a future career in federal law enforcement. Luke is a member of the UK Mock Trial, a fellow with the Gaines Center for the Humanities, and an intern with the City of Oxford Economic Development Department.

Michael Stanton is a junior at the College of the Holy Cross pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Asian studies and a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies. Michael has been with tPP since May 2021. Michael hopes to learn how to handle large data sets and draw meaningful conclusions from data with hopes of continuing to graduate school in the future. Michael is also a part of the Holy Cross chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society and the Holy Cross club hockey team.

Nitya Sunil is a recent graduate of Miami University. She obtained a B.A. in both Psychology and Political Science as well as a minor in General Business. Nitya has been with tPP since January 2019 and started as a coder to expand the database. Currently, she is working on auditing the dataset. She hopes to learn more about the criminal justice system and is applying to law school within the next year.

 Matt Thierry is a graduate student at the California Institute of Integral Studies pursuing a degree in philosophy and religion with a focus on ecology, extremism, and peacebuilding. Matt has been with tPP since September 2020, and is interested in effective approaches to resolving political violence. He has authored or co-authored various articles on bioregionalism, green anarchy, and right wing terror, and has presented at conferences on diverse topics ranging from cosmic evolution, political religion, technology and spirituality, and green criminology. Matt serves as the social studies department chair at a middle school in the San Francisco Bay Area and as a board member for the Peace and Justice Studies Association.

Charis Whalen is a senior at Miami University and is pursuing degrees in International Studies and Journalism with a minor in French. Her area of interest in International Studies is global intercultural relations analysis and national defense policy which she hopes to gain deeper knowledge of through her work with tPP. Charis has been with tPP since November 2020, joining as a pre-coder. She is now working to track mass arrests that occurred in the D.C. area following the Summer 2020 protests. As she works with the Prosecution Project, she hopes to gather valuable insight into the patterns of felonious prosecutions in the United States as well as studying the culture of terrorism in the U.S. in order to develop an adequate background for a future career in counter-terrorism and defense policy.

Margot Williams is a news researcher who has worked in newsrooms during a forty-year career at The Intercept, The New York Times, NPR, The Washington Post, and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. She has pursued jihadists and domestic extremists online and detainees who died in U.S. immigration detention, investigated Iraq war contractors and followed the money (and private jets) of mayors, governors, senators, presidential candidates, and ex-presidents. She graduated from the City College of New York (B.A., Asian Studies) and holds a Masters of Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute. Margot has been with tPP since February 2021, joining to assist with the team’s Capitol siege tracking.