Hi, I’m Kirsten!
I’m a graduate student in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, where I’m exploring the intersections of defense policy, biosecurity, and emerging technology.
I care deeply about shifting biosecurity governance to safer and more anticipatory systems to prevent accidental and deliberate biological threats, and advance responsible, inclusive governance across both civilian and defense spaces.
I’m especially concerned about the world not being able to handle or harness emerging technology, and I’m passionate about ensuring global biosecurity structures reflect equity, accessibility, and long-term resilience.
I’m committed to building systems that protect the future while ensuring that every community has a voice in shaping it. If the goal is to protect as much of the future as possible, then every voice and community strengthens our odds.
Some recent experience
Columnist (biosecurity and public health) and Peer Reviewer, Georgetown Security Studies Review
Contractor (case study researcher), for the Asia Centre for Health Security, researched the synthetic nucleic acid screening regulatory landscape of the Philippines (April-August 2025)
Contractor (notetaker) client: Mirror Biology Dialogues Fund (MBDF), Paris Conference on Risks from Mirror Life, at Institut Pasteur in Paris (June 12-13, 2025)
Delegate, Biosecurity Emerging Leaders Declaration at the 61st Munich Security Conference
Fellow, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Youth4Biosecurity Fellowship
Project manager/lead researcher, Project SHIELD PH
Co-founder, helps run Southeast Asia Biosecurity, a network of early-career researchers working on biosecurity in Southeast Asia. (You can subscribe to our newsletter here.)
Contractor (research assistant), client: Alvea Bio (Sept 2022-Jan 2023)
I’ve been engaged in various research focused on biosecurity policy, governance, and implementation. You can find my other work and research experience on my LinkedIn.
Here’s me singing a song called “My Days” that inspires me!
Singing is my greatest form of therapy and procrastination: