Dr. McBride is a senior research scientist at CNA’s Institute for Public Research, as well as a 2024 Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar. She has more than 15 years of experience leading research and evaluation projects related to domestic terrorism and targeted violence. Prior to joining CNA, she worked as a Middle East intelligence analyst with the National Security Agency, spending time in both Iraq (2007–2008) and Jordan (2008). Dr. McBride holds a doctorate in religious studies from Brown University, where her research focused on the relationship between religion and contemporary terrorism. She also holds master’s degrees in government from Johns Hopkins University and from the Great Books program at St. John’s College.