Global Counterterrorism and Threat Intelligence Research Institute
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About the Institute
Our Story
Founded at The University of Texas at Dallas in 2025, the Global Counterterrorism and Threat Intelligence Research Institute (GC-TIRI) was established to address emerging threats from terrorism, transnational crime and hybrid warfare through cutting-edge research, technology development and policy engagement.
GC-TIRI is led by a team of experts in cybersecurity, data science and operational intelligence and serves as a bridge between academia, government and industry, ensuring that research-driven insights translate into real-world impact.
Our Mission
Our mission is to conduct research leading to technologies that enhance the safety of Texas, the U.S. and the global community from actors involved in transnational crime and human trafficking, through actionable solutions and strategic partnerships.
Our Goals
- Develop Actionable Research: Conduct research to predict and mitigate emerging threats.
- Produce Innovative Solutions: Create novel methodologies, analytical frameworks, algorithms and software tools for use by academic institutions, the military and state and government agencies.
- Support Technology Commercialization: Collaborate with corporate partners to commercialize technologies that enhance security operations.
- Improve Operations: Strengthen the capabilities of GC-TIRI partners through shared insights and advanced analytical tools.
- Inform Policy Decisions: Provide research findings and recommendations to guide policy decisions.
- Educational Opportunities: Offer UT Dallas graduate and undergraduate students practical experience in research and policy analysis, preparing the next generation of experts in cybersecurity and intelligence.
- Community Engagement: Facilitate interactions between UT Dallas faculty, students and the intelligence, defense and national security communities.
- Bridge Between Communities: Act as a conduit between the University and the intelligence and defense sectors, fostering collaborations.
Our Team
General Contacts
Dr. Patrick Brandt
Research Faculty – EPPS
Expert in political methodology research and global international conflict dynamics.
Dr. Thomas Brunell
Research Faculty – EPPS
Expert in political science analysis and advanced quantitative methods.
Ben Clay
Founding Member and Operational Lead
Expert in asymmetric cybersecurity and counterterrorism comms.
Dr. Ovidiu Daescu
Founding Member and Funding Director
Leading expert in algorithm design, computational geometry, and applied machine learning.
Steve Gabavics
Founding Member and Associate Director of Strategic Coordination
Expert in global security, intelligence, and crisis resolution.
Dr. Kevin Hamlen
Research Faculty – CS
Expert in software security, cyber defense, and malware analysis.
Austin Higgins
Founding Member and Threat Finance Lead
Expert in risk assessment, counter-money laundering, and financial threat analysis for counterterrorism.
Dr. Latifur Khan
Executive Director
Expert in cybersecurity, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Kamil Sarac
Research Faculty – CS
Expert in network security, cybersecurity, and data protection.
Dr. Bhavani Thuraisingham
Research Faculty – CS
Expert in cybersecurity and trustworthy AI.
Advisory Council
Peter Donovan
Chief Relations Officer, Sentinel Foundation
Expert in counter child-trafficking and counterterrorism.
Daniel Elkins
Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) Founder
Expert in counterterrorism and policy advocacy.
Jack Kozsey
Retired DEA
Expert in counter-narcoterrorism.
Alex Plitsas
Director of Counterterrorism Project, Atlantic Council & Board Bember, SOAA
Expert in counterterrorism and Intelligence policy.
Brian Thomsen
Special Operations Communications Expert
Expert in intelligence operations and counterterrorism communications.
Support GC-TIRI
New Dimensions
Your support helps us advance critical research and education in counterterrorism and threat intelligence. Join the UTD New Dimensions Campaign with a $750M goal as of January 2025, and make a secure online donation today to build a brighter future for UT Dallas.
Engagement Opportunities
The Global Counterterrorism and Threat Intelligence Research Institute (GC-TIRI) at UT Dallas provides unique opportunities for students, faculty, government agencies and corporate partners to engage in impactful research and innovation. GC-TIRI offers multiple pathways for collaboration whether you are looking to contribute academically, enhance global security operations or commercialize emerging technologies.
Join groundbreaking research projects that analyze threats and cyber risks. Students and faculty can contribute to academic publications, develop analytical tools and collaborate with national security experts to drive real-world impact. GC-TIRI provides hands-on research experience, mentorship and opportunities to engage in policy-driven intelligence work.
For Government & Defense Partners
GC-TIRI aims to collaborates with U.S. government agencies, law enforcement, and military organizations to develop intelligence-driven solutions for counterterrorism, cybersecurity and defense strategy. Agencies can support and leverage our research to enhance security operations, gain strategic insights and implement cutting-edge threat intelligence methodologies.
For Corporate Partners
Work with GC-TIRI to accelerate the commercialization of security and intelligence technologies. Corporate partners can support research projects, provide data and industry expertise and explore innovative solutions in areas such as cybersecurity, AI-driven threat detection and risk mitigation. Together, we can bring advanced defense and intelligence technologies to market to strengthen security efforts.
Keep in Touch!
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to learn more or explore collaboration opportunities.