Tenzin Yangchen
Home Institution: Agnes Scott College
Major: Psychology, Minor: Religious Studies

“The emphasis of CNS on multifaceted and complex global issues like nuclear security and nonproliferation makes it a one of a kind research fellowship program…It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to hear lectures from CNS staff and nuclear experts.”

Alexander Davies
Home Institution: Cornell University
Major: International Security and Computer Science

“The lectures delivered by CNS staff were invaluable in broadening my understanding of nonproliferation. It was clear that every staff member loved their field and they explained difficult aspects of nonproliferation in an interesting and cogent manner…My project looked at how nuclear weapons may affect alliance decisions by states. It combined international relations theory with nonproliferation. [This work] helped me gain insight into academic research within the social sciences, something that I had not done before. It was great to have the opportunity to work in this field.”

Caelin Weiss
Home Institution: Colby College
Major: Global Studies

“This internship provides access to experts in nonproliferation and disarmament studies that allow for you to gain an in-depth understanding of a variety of issues within the field. From country-specific expertise to highly detailed understandings of the physics behind nuclear weapons and the science behind other WMD, interning with CNS is a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge of these diverse and complicated issues. Whether you have previous experience in the field or you have no prior academic training with regards to nonproliferation and disarmament, the internship accommodates students who are eager to expand their knowledge. With lectures from experts and access to the extensive MIIS library, as well as a collaborative environment with other interns, everyone learns a significant amount about different topics within the field. The learning environment here is accessible and welcoming regardless of prior experience.”

David Munnelly
Home Institution: Dublin City University
Major: International Relations

“This research was unique because I found it to be a lot more engaging than other programs back home. For example, we were constantly updated on current events in the remit of non-proliferation and were encouraged greatly by members of the faculty to learn as much as we can but also to incorporate it into a project that we would pursue for the time that we are here. You have to be willing to take every opportunity that is presented to you. If there is a topic that interests you, find the professor who is an expert in that field. Don’t wait for them to come to you. If you want to be part of something, you have to create that opportunity yourself; that’s the best way to get contacts and be remembered as an integral part of this opportunity.”

Jessica Margolis
Home Institution: Emory University
Major: International Studies, Minor: Global Health, Culture and Society

“The CNS undergraduate internship was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to practice my research skills and learn from experts in the field of nonproliferation. Having lectures from the CNS faculty is an amazing experience that contributed immensely to my knowledge of nonproliferation specifically, and international security generally. The fact that we were able to engage in discussions with accomplished experts is an academic experience that would be hard to find at any other internship. Additionally, it was a pleasure to work in such a supportive and intellectual community that encouraged us to think creatively and pursue our own interests. The CNS faculty and staff are all very supportive and seem genuinely appreciative of the interns’ help. They provided a great deal of support to my own research project. Additionally, I found that the staff was very willing to provide me with guidance and advice regarding my career and future plans. I am very appreciative of this attention as its not something that undergrads are accustomed to receiving from well accomplished scholars. Overall, my experience as an undergraduate intern at CNS was a very positive one and I would definitely recommend others to take advantage of it!”

Raymond Wang
Home Institution: University of Saint Andrews
Major: International Relations and Modern History

“This internship is an unmissable opportunity. The lectures provide you with a very good grounding in both the political and technical aspects of non-proliferation. The fact that CNS has resident scientists definitely made understanding the Iran deal much easier! The staff here are also very approachable, and will not hesitate to provide guidance to you. The projects they have running here are also unique– open source geo-spatial analysis is a powerful tool that should be applied across more disciplines. All in all an extremely educational and enjoyable experience.”

Anne Pellegrino
Home Institution: University of Georgia
Major: International Affairs

“My experience as an intern for the Center for Nonproliferation Studies was nothing but positive. What initially drew me to the program was the promise of substantial research opportunities in addition to a chance to learn about nonproliferation issues from leading experts in the field. For instance, the signing of the Iran Deal was a summer highlight because the interns were able to sit in on experts’ discussions deconstructing and examining the agreement. It was a privilege to have an insiders’ look into such a historic arrangement! While we weren’t attending lectures and discussions, the interns were hard at work on research projects covering various nonproliferation issues. It is rewarding to know that the finished products I contributed to are used by people both in the industry and those who just want to educate themselves about nonproliferation issues. CNS takes its mission to train the next generation of nonproliferation specialists seriously, and I feel very lucky to have spent my summer in an environment that invests heavily in the education of its interns. Spending my summer at CNS was the best decision I could have made and I am excited to see where this opportunity will take me in the future!”

Miles Latham
Home Institution: Duke University
Major: International Comparative Studies

” Working at CNS was a phenomenal opportunity for me to gain domain-specific knowledge in the nonproliferation field that is not available at my home university, while working to advance research in areas that interested me. The CNS faculty are all tremendously helpful, and make it clear from the beginning that they genuinely value the fresh perspective interns bring into the program and see them as far more than bodies to do busy work. Working at CNS made me feel more like a visiting faculty member than an undergraduate intern, while still giving me the opportunity to learn from the faculty’s far superior domain knowledge. That is really a unique combination, and one that other programs simply do not compare to.”

Megan Gularte
Home Institution: UC Davis
Major: International Relations

“The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies allows its interns to interact with a small community of experts and explore topics that are increasingly relevant 70 years after the introduction into the international arena. Nuclear nonproliferation will be around for many years to come and CNS trains its interns to approach these issues from a number of perspectives. Using the tools made available to me I was able to learn about nuclear weapons and those who seek to acquire them. Before my time in Monterey I knew that I wanted to work in the security sector; however, I did not know where I would take my career. My research at CNS has inspired me to pursue a career in nonproliferation and arms control.”

Timothy Fraser
Home Institution: Middlebury College
Major: International & Global Studies: East Asian Studies, Geography Minor

“At CNS, I learned the technical safety and security risks of modern nuclear reactors, how nuclear programs are regulated, and how conflicts of interest resulted in the 2011 Fukushima incident. In particular, working on North Korean missile models and mapping nuclear trafficking incidents directly contributed to my undergraduate coursework in East Asian studies and geography. I [also] learned technical design of nuclear bombs, missiles, and reactors, and about the strategic and political significance of each. Moreover, I was able to work on some satellite imagery analysis while present at CNS and apply my interests in mapping to present databases. Since I attend a liberal arts college, no such technical opportunities were available to me before, and I valued this opportunity in that I saw my interests at Middlebury merge and advance through my time at MIIS. Through these experiences, I learned that I really enjoy policy analysis and want to continue doing research either through government work or academia.