Master of Biodefense

Schar School’s Mahmut Cengiz: On the Frontlines of Global Security and Terrorism

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:42:08 +0000

Schar School’s Mahmut Cengiz: On the Frontlines of Global Security and Terrorism Andrew J Schappert Thu, 10/24/2024 - 13:42

Associate Professor Mahmut Cengiz: Studying terrorism ‘is not a job; it’s a mission.’ Photos by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

Mahmut Cengiz's first exposure to the brutal realities of transnational organized crime, terrorism, and illicit economies was in films he saw as a young man growing up in Türkiye. But these were not abstract horrors: They were living nightmares, unfolding in real time. The images of suffering and devastation seared themselves into his mind, igniting a fire in him to fight back.

“I couldn’t just stand by,” he recalled. "These crimes destroy lives—thousands, millions. I had to act."

Mahmut Cengiz: His students are ‘exceptionally well-prepared to become young experts in analyzing terrorism and this critical security issue in the U.S.’

Cengiz spent more than 15 years as a high-level official in law enforcement, focusing on counterterrorism and trafficking cases. During that time, he saved more than 300 victims of human trafficking. However, he had a larger goal in mind.

“I wanted to create a model to address human trafficking,” he said, reflecting on the lasting impact of his work. And to do that he needed to apply his passion to a different front—academia— where he could train the next generation of warriors to continue his battle.

Cengiz continues this work as an associate professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��AV, where he not only teaches students how to follow in his footsteps but also leads a number of initiatives devoted to dismantling the systems of evil that perpetuate human suffering.

For Cengiz, “it’s not a job; it’s a mission,” he said.

Cengiz is a graduate of George Mason, having completed his PhD in 2010 at the Schar School before joining the Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center (TraCCC) in 2015. His current research focuses on the convergence between organized crime and terrorist networks, a growing trend in the international underworld.

“Convergence equals collaboration,” he said, describing how terrorist groups learn from each other to strengthen their operations. For example, he examines how terrorist organizations have adopted money laundering and smuggling techniques from organized crime groups to fund their activities. For Cengiz, understanding this evolving dynamic is critical for developing effective policy solutions.

Cengiz is currently leading TraCCC’s Global Terrorism Trends and Analyses Center (GTTAC), which collects and processes data for the U.S. Department of State. In its seventh year at the Schar School, GTTAC has gathered over 55,000 terrorist incidents, including attacks by Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, lone wolves, and far-right extremist groups.

Cengiz invites and trains his students—there are 16 this semester—providing them one-of-a-kind, paid opportunities to work at GTTAC. Some 150 newly minted terrorism researchers have worked at GTTAC. That work often leads to publishing research and data-driven articles of opinion and to present their accomplishments at international conferences.

“They are exceptionally well-prepared to become young experts in analyzing terrorism and this critical security issue in the U.S.,” he said.

Cengiz appears frequently in international media outlets to share insights on transnational crime and terrorism. He regularly contributes to influential publications Small Wars Journal and Homeland Security Today, writing op-eds fueled by up-to-the-minute data collected at the GTTAC that raises awareness about the interconnectedness of terrorism, organized crime, and corruption.

He aims to make these complex issues more accessible to a broader audience, emphasizing the need for practicality and simplicity. His seventh book, Murder by Mail: The Global History of the Letter Bomb coauthored with Mitchel P. Roth, and other recent publications reflect his continued leadership and knowledge in the field.

Cengiz has a strong bond with his students and prioritizes enhancing their academic skills as they engage in analyses of global security issues.

In the classroom, Cengiz combines theory and practice, enabling students to gain from his real-world knowledge and transforming his expertise into impactful lessons. In fact, students have nominated him several times for George Mason’s Career Connection Faculty Award and the Teaching Excellence Award.

“My students appreciate the practical nature of my lectures and how I integrate field experience with theory,” he said.

Prospective students considering George Mason’s Schar School for their studies in international security will find an unmatched opportunity to learn from Cengiz and other top experts, including TraCCC’s founding director, University Professor Louise Shelley, as well as Master of International Security degree program director Ellen Laipson, Master of Biodefense and PhD in Biodefense director Gregory Koblentz, Distinguished Visiting Professor and former ambassador Richard Kauzlarich and others, including former directors of key agencies and current practitioners in important positions in Washington, D.C.

“We have great faculty with field experience and academic expertise,” Cengiz said, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the Schar School’s programs that often find diverse units combining expertise for research studies and panel discussions.

Cengiz’s work does more than analyze global security challenges—it actively seeks to combat them. His blend of field experience, academic expertise, and dedication to student success provides a pathway for those who want to make a tangible difference.

“You don’t just study these issues,” he said. “You gain the tools to confront and resolve them.”

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Earning a master’s degree and graduate certificate online worked perfectly for neurosurgeon Nick Marko

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 16:59:27 +0000

Earning a master’s degree and graduate certificate online worked perfectly for neurosurgeon Nick Marko Andrew J Schappert Mon, 06/24/2024 - 12:59

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There are lifelong learners and then there are individuals like Nick Marko, who recently graduated with a Master of Biodefense and a graduate certificate in illicit trade analysis from the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��AV.

Before earning his degree in May, Nick Marko (left) received the Outstanding Biodefense Student Award. Pictured here with his advisor Gregory Koblentz. Photo by John Boal Photography

Marko also happens to be a board-certified neurosurgeon who currently serves as director of neurosurgery for LewisGale Health System in Salem, Virginia.

“I am someone who has a hard time not continuing to learn,” he said.

Marko decided to pursue a master’s in biodefense at the Schar School because of an interest in the history of biological and chemical weapons development, proliferation, and use, including both the science and the policy/political dimensions.

“I had read as much as I could on my own in my spare time, but there is always the situation of ‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’” he said.

Marko was familiar with George Mason’s reputation, having attended college and medical school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and was aware of the school’s online offerings.

“I knew that George Mason had one of the first departments in this [biodefense] space and that it had a great faculty,” he said. “Also, the ability to do the work online was a big plus for me, because I have a full-time day job and had to do coursework on nights and weekends in a bit of a protracted fashion. Ultimately the fit was perfect for my needs.”

Initially planning to earn a graduate certificate in biodefense, Marko’s coursework piqued his interest and led him to earn both the master’s degree and certificate.

“Things got a little bigger in scope than I had initially planned, but it was a great experience,” he said.

Because he completed his degree and certificate coursework completely online (with a few in-person campus visits), Marko appreciated the Schar School’s flexibility.

“The Dean's office was accommodating to my somewhat unique situation and was open to facilitating solutions that allowed me to pursue the degree,” he said. “I was grateful that such an opportunity was available because I couldn’t have made it work otherwise.”

He also praises his professors and advisors, Louise Shelley and Gregory Koblentz.

“They were absolutely terrific,” he said. “I met with them personally several times, and we traded a lot of emails. Both are incredibly knowledgeable and well-connected in their fields. I couldn’t have asked for a better pair of mentors.”

Before earning his degree in May, Marko earned the Outstanding Biodefense Student Award, a testament to his academic efforts and love of learning.

“I am proud of the work that I have done as part of the program,” he said. “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to explore some topics of personal interest at this stage of my life and my career, and the biodefense master's was an example of how I intend to keep doing that.”

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Biodefense Alumna Lands Prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:19:32 +0000

Biodefense Alumna Lands Prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/10/2023 - 15:19

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Aurelia Berisha: ‘PMF is an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door, especially for a biodefense student.’

Aurelia Berisha has always been interested in public service to have an opportunity to make a positive difference in the community and other people’s lives. Now, she has that opportunity in her new role as a Program and Management Analyst at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the highly competitive Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) program.

Berisha, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, graduated from ��AV in 2017 with her bachelor of science degree in biology and worked for a few years as a medical technologist. After the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Berisha became interested in strengthening biosafety and biosecurity in the U.S. and enrolled in the Schar School of Policy and Government’s highly ranked Master of Biodefense program, from which she graduated in 2021. While taking classes at Mason Square, Berisha heard about the PMF Program through several professors, including biodefense adjunct professors Ashley Grant and Andrew Kilianski, who encouraged her to apply.

The PMF program is the federal government’s flagship leadership development program for advanced degree holders with a mission of recruiting and developing a cohort of future government leaders drawn from all segments of society. Fellows take part in training and development opportunities, including a leadership development program which focuses on identifying key values for public servants and providing fellows with critical leadership competencies.

“I will participate in self-assessments, intensive small-group discussions, and team challenges,” Berisha said. Additionally, fellows can choose to experience another agency during their term. “The PMF program also provides rotational opportunities within the home agency or other federal agencies that I can apply for to gain a broader scope of the federal government,” she said.

Fellows serve for two years in the agency or agencies of their choice with salary and benefits; many find full-time employment following their fellowships.

The detailed application process alone eliminates many would-be PMF finalists. In 2022, 250 applicants were selected out of 3,000 applications that were submitted. Of the 250, only 120 made it as fellows.

Through the PMF program, Berisha was placed in her current role at USDA in January. Even after only four months, Berisha is already grateful for the opportunities she has had to learn and grow in her new position.

“We receive a lot of training opportunities [through PMF] and I’ve been able to not only gain a lot of knowledge on certain topics, but also leverage my knowledge from the biodefense program, which I’m very grateful for,” she said. “PMF is an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door, especially for a biodefense student.”

The Schar School Career Services team offers several resources to students interested in applying for the PMF Program, including information sessions for both current students and alumni. Berisha said she is grateful for easy access to these resources through the Schar School during her application process, as well as the helpful advice she received from professors who she credits for making her a stronger candidate. Having someone flag deadlines was also helpful.

After completion of the PMF two-year term, Berisha would like to continue working in the field of biodefense, and said she ultimately aspires to pursue a career in biosecurity and biorisk management, which would combine her experience working in labs with the knowledge she has gained from the Schar School and PMF program.

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Schar School’s Mahmut Cengiz: On the Frontlines of Global Security and Terrorism

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Earning a master’s degree and graduate certificate online worked perfectly for neurosurgeon Nick Marko

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Biodefense Alumna Lands Prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship

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