Leadership
Dr. Arthur J. Simental, DM, M.S., CEM
Founder & CEO
Dr. Arthur J. Simental is a homeland security & emergency management Professor, Researcher, Consultant, EM Historian, and Certified Emergency Manager. Dr. Simental is the Founder & CEO of Simental Industries Ltd. and EM Disaster Gaming, an Emergency Management Consulting Firm and Disaster Research Collaborative. Dr. Simental is also a Professor for Columbia Southern University, Research Associate for Sam Houston State University’s Institute for Homeland Security, and a former Public Health Advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Simental has over sixteen years of service in Government, Homeland Security & Emergency Management and Emergency Services across all levels of government, and the private & non-profit sectors in homeland security, emergency management, healthcare & public health, space & defense, security, education, & critical infrastructure. Dr. Simental is a published author, disaster wargaming creator, Certified Emergency Manager with CEMA & IAEM, and IAEM-USA Top 40 Under 40 Recipient. Lastly, Dr. Simental founded the United States Emergency & Disaster Management Congress to professionalize and advance the field of emergency & disaster management.
April Simental
Co-Founder, Simental Industries Ltd.
April Simental is a life long animal advocate. She volunteers with the National Mill Dog Rescue, Colorado Pet Pantry, and Vested Interest in K-9s. She was a founding member of the El Paso County Animal Rescue Team (CART) in 2011 – 2012 and served on CART supporting animal rescue during the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012. She retired from the Colorado Judicial Branch, 4th Judicial District after serving 10 years as a Court Judicial Assistant. Prior to that she spent 4 years at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as a Extra Duty Assistant Coordinator providing administrative support.
Past Research Partners & Fellows
Tina Bynum, D.M., M.P.A.
Chief Emergency Management Education Research Partner
Dr. Bynum is an Emergency Management and Homeland Security Researcher, Published Author, Dean, Professor, HSEEP Exercise Planner & Facilitator, & Higher Education Leader. Dr. Bynum provides leadership and oversees the Shield Initiative’s Research Program and emergency management education portfolio.
John Holst, M.S.
Chief Space & Defense Research Partner
John Holst’s analysis of the space industry has been a definitive source for national lawmakers and departments, news outlets such as Bloomberg and the San Francisco Chronicle, publications like National Geographic, and National Public Radio. Mr. Holst worked in the United States Air Force as an officer, the Missile Defense Agency, Cobham, Space Dynamics Laboratory, the Space Foundation, and
Quilty Analytics.
Sinan Khan, MBA, MPH, MA, MEP, CEM
Chief Public Health & Emergency Management Research Partner
Sinan Khan is the Associate Director, for the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. Mr. Khan previously served as the Operational Integration Supervisor and the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Coordinator for OEM focusing on integration of the needs of people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs (DAFN) and the needs of people experiencing homelessness into emergency planning and response. Prior to his appointment at OEM, Mr. Khan worked as the Medical Countermeasures Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health overseeing mass prophylaxis and points of dispensing. Mr. Khan also serves as an Adjunct Instructor for the California State University, Long Beach and the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI). During COVID – 19 Mr. Khan served as the Operations Section Chief for Los Angeles County and also led the Reconstitution and Recovery working group.
Richard White, Ph.D.
Lead Security Engineer & Chief Research Partner
Distinguished Professor, Retired Air Force Officer, DHS-Sponsored Researcher, Former Interim Director of UCCS Cybersecurity Programs and Associate Director for UCCS Center for Homeland Security. Dr. White is a retired Air Force officer and semi-retired university professor living in Colorado Springs. During his twenty-year Air Force career he served as a programmer analyst, network engineer, software engineer, Communications Director for Operation Provide Comfort, Deputy Communications Commander for Cheyenne Mountain, and professor of military studies at the Air Force Academy. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering Security and conducted research for the Department of Homeland Security while advancing game-based teaching techniques at UCCS. He also spent three-years as an exercise developer for USNORTHCOM. He now consults and teaches emergency planning for Tulane.
Erin Zaideman, MA
Research Fellow
Erin recently graduated with her Master of Arts in Research and Evaluation Methods, July 2022 from the University of Colorado Denver. Erin has an education and research background working with diverse populations, minorities, undeserved communities and advancing and advocating work in equity, diversity, inclusion and access. Erin has also been supporting Team Rubicon with wildfire mitigation.
Dara Marin Prais, Ph.D.
Senior Research Fellow
Dara Marin Prais, Ph.D. is a dedicated professional with a profound passion for engaging in and delivering actionable research for entities and practitioners. As a woman of color, she is committed to engaging in meaningful research projects to support diverse communities. As a result, she has cultivated a strong educational background that forms the foundation of her expertise. Dara holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Denver, specializing in Research, Evaluation, and Assessment. Prior to this, she earned a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, focusing on Assessment, also from the University of Colorado, Denver. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in general and special education from Northern Arizona University. With a wealth of knowledge and academic accomplishments, Dara adeptly designs and guides research endeavors. Her skills include utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed methodology, the analysis of large datasets and multilevel modeling, and conducting program evaluations.
Doug Snell
Project Support
Douglas Snell is a dedicated professional with over 35 years of service in the Colorado Judicial Department. A Colorado native, Douglas attended both the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak State College. Throughout his tenure, Douglas demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills while overseeing two high-volume court divisions. His responsibilities encompassed a wide array of cases, including felonies, divorces, juvenile matters, and misdemeanors. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Douglas finds joy and fulfillment in his personal life. He has been happily married to his wife for over 30 years and is the proud father of two amazing adult daughters. In his leisure time, Douglas indulges his passion for sports memorabilia collecting, a hobby that reflects his love for sports and appreciation for history.
Soumanetra Ghosh
Research Fellow
Soumanetra Ghosh is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Policy with a specialization in Economic Development and Sustainably at The University of Denver. Prior to this she completed her B.A in Economics with a double minor in Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Pune, India. Soumanetra also earned her M.A in Economic Development with a specialization in Statistics at the University of Pune, India. After which she moved to the Oxford, Mississippi to pursue her M.A in Economics from the University of Mississippi. During the duration of her graduate studies Soumanetra has been a research assistant on various projects both in India and the United States. Soumanetra’s research interests are developmental policy, and Sustainability & Environmental policy.
Jessica Christon
Research Associate
Jessica has diverse experience in the medical field and in emergency management. She brings recent experience supporting Team Rubicon with disaster logistics, planning and mitigation here in Colorado. Jessica is an aspiring emergency manager and is currently pursuing her bachelors degree at Idaho State University in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Sarah Lillie
Research Fellow
Sarah Lillie is a graduate student in Environmental Policy at the University of Denver. She grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona, which allowed her to immerse herself in the surrounding Indigenous populations of the region and sparked an interest in learning more about their communities. Sarah has done several research projects focused on Indigenous communities across the West.
