Dr. Steve Sin is an associate research scientist and the director of the Unconventional & Asymmetric Threats Division at START. With a background as a U.S. Army officer specializing in counterterrorism, Dr. Sin applies extensive operational and academic expertise to his research on violent extremism, illicit networks, and influence operations. In this Researcher Spotlight, Dr. Sin shares insights into his career, his passion for understanding evolving threats, and the exciting projects he’s currently leading.
How did you first get involved with START?
My journey with START began in 2011, when I was a graduate student working on my Ph.D. My mentor, Professor Victor Asal, offered me a coding job with one major catch – it had a crazy short deadline. At the time, I had just transitioned out of the Army, my wife and I had recently moved back to the United States, and our son was only three months old. Neither of us was working, so any extra income beyond my TA and the GI Bill stipend was a huge help. Naturally, I accepted the job. Only later did I realize that my coding work was contributing to what would become one of START’s famous projects – the Influencing Violent Extremist Organizations (IVEO) Knowledge Matrix. That project became my first connection to START. Fast forward to 2014, my involvement deepened when I received an appointment at START to lead a project examining the relationship between transnational criminal organizations, including cartels, and terrorism. What began as a last-minute coding gig to earn some extra income turned out to be a pivotal moment in my academic and professional career.
How did you become interested in your field of study?
Before transitioning into academia for my second career, I served as a U.S. Army officer working in the field of counterterrorism. It was during this time that my fascination with the field first took root – a curiosity that only deepened throughout my graduate studies after leaving the military and remains just as strong today. Some interests fade over time; this one, however, has only sharpened with experience.
Who has been the most influential person during your academic pursuits?
I have two individuals who have profoundly shaped my journey as a scholar and a researcher – Professors David Rousseau and Victor Asal of Rockefeller College at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Professor Rousseau, my academic advisor and dissertation chair, instilled in me the essence of critical thinking and what it truly means to be a scholar. His guidance challenged me to question assumptions, refine my arguments, and embrace intellectual rigor. On the other hand, Professor Asal, my mentor and dissertation co-chair, taught me the art of teaching and the importance of passion in research. From him, I learned that scholarship isn’t just about producing knowledge – it’s about sharing it, engaging with it, and, above all, being enthusiastic about the process. Their influence continues to shape my approach to research and teaching today, reminding me that being a scholar is just as much about curiosity as it is about commitment.
What’s been one of the more interesting projects you’ve worked on?
One of the more fascinating projects I had the opportunity to work on was DARPA’s SIGMA-Plus program. START’s role in this effort was particularly prominent during Phase II, where the focus was on network development, analytics, and integration. As one of DARPA’s trusted agents, START was tasked with crafting detailed threat scenarios and constructing intricate threat networks. These networks were then incorporated into what we termed the “world graph,” a dynamic testing ground designed to challenge and refine the network analytics protocols that project performers were developing. It was a complex but intellectually rewarding endeavor – nothing quite like stress-testing cutting-edge technology with carefully curated chaos.
What are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m juggling several research projects that span a diverse array of topics. One of these is a collaborative effort with Dr. Austin Doctor from the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center of Excellence at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Together, we’re exploring how malicious actors have leveraged – and could potentially exploit in the future – geospatial technologies for nefarious purposes.
Another notable project involves a partnership with Optimal Solutions and CNA, where we are conducting a program evaluation for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Securing the Cities initiative. This work is particularly critical as it assesses the effectiveness of efforts to prevent radiological and nuclear threats in urban environments.
Lastly, an especially exciting project my team and I are working on is sponsored by the Irregular Warfare Center. This research focuses on measuring the impact of messaging within the broader context of influence operations in irregular warfare – an increasingly relevant area given today’s geopolitical landscape.
As you can see, these projects span a wide range of focus areas, but they collectively highlight the depth of expertise and research capabilities housed within the Unconventional & Asymmetric Threats Division of START. Never a dull moment here!
Is there a specific research gap that you’re interested in studying?
While I wouldn’t necessarily define this as a single research gap I’m aiming to address, the central question that drives my work is understanding why some individuals choose to engage in harmful acts while the vast majority do not. More specifically, I am interested in why those who do choose this violent path select particular weapons, methods, and targets for their actions. Closely tied to this inquiry is the need to anticipate the evolving landscape of such threats – who the "bad actors" of the future might be, what characteristics they will exhibit, and what new methods they may employ to carry out their objectives.
In many ways, this has been the central thread of my work, both in the Army and in academia, and it remains a topic that continues to captivate me. As long as these questions persist – and they always will – I intend to keep exploring them well into the future.
What is the most exciting experience you’ve had due to your research?
The most rewarding moments in my research career come when our work translates into tangible, real-world impact. There’s nothing quite like seeing a U.S. government agency adopt our recommendations and incorporate them into its official policy guidance or learning that a model we developed is actively being used to support real-world operations. It’s in these moments that research moves beyond the theoretical and proves its worth in practice – making a meaningful difference where it truly counts. And that, to me, is what makes this work so exciting.
What is your favorite part about your job?
The best part of my job? The people. Whether it’s my colleagues at START, faculty and students at the University of Maryland, or the many brilliant partners I’ve had the privilege of working with beyond the university – they make this work truly rewarding. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to collaborate with such talented individuals, and I’m even prouder to call them not just colleagues, but friends.
What are your plans for the future?
That is an excellent question – one I like to frame as, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" At 51 years old and more than a decade into my second career, I must admit that I still don’t have a definitive answer. However, one thing remains constant: my drive to seek out new challenges and tackle them head-on. This approach defined my first career in the U.S. Army, and it continues to shape my professional journey today. For now, I see no reason why that should change anytime soon. Now, if you come back to me in the summer of 2028, which would be immediately after my son’s high school graduation, I may have figured out what I want to do when I grow up. So, let’s talk again then.
Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
Outside of work, I am both a competitive fencer and a fencing parent. I compete in saber and foil within the U.S. Fencing Association’s Senior, Veteran Combined, and Veteran 50-59 age categories. Meanwhile, my son, a high schooler, is also a fencer – though, much to my (much) dismay, he has fully committed to fencing epee. Why? Because that’s the weapon his high school team competes in. When I’m not on the fencing strip (technically called a piste) competing myself, I’m usually in full-time chauffeur mode, shuttling him to and from his fencing club or tournaments. And when I’m not driving, you’ll find me stationed in the spectator area, cheering him on with great enthusiasm – sometimes, admittedly, a bit too much enthusiasm.
Interested in learning more about Dr. Steve Sin? Visit his START profile.