Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Cornell University
PhD Student, Human Behavior and Design (present)

Syracuse University
Master of Architecture

Georgetown University
M.S. Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases

Syracuse University
B.A. Biology & Women’s Studies
Minor in Political Science

SKILLS

3D Modeling & VE Design
Unity, Spatial.io, Rhino3D, Maya, Grasshopper plug-ins (Rhino), Revit, AutoCAD, various rendering tools

Adobe Creative Suite
InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop,
After Effects, XD, Figma

Analytic Tools
RStudio, JMP

Mapping
ArcGIS Pro, Google Earth Pro

ACCOLADES

Henry Adams Medal & Certificate of Merit for Highest Academic Ranking
American Institute of Architects, 2020

Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research and
Creative Work

Honorable Mention, Syracuse University, Graduate School, 2021

Citation for Excellence
in Thesis Design

Syracuse University, SOA, 2020

Alfred L. Kaskel
Scholarship Recipient

Syracuse University, SOA, 2019 & 2020

ACTIVITIES

Board of Directors, Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse, NY
Board Member, 2020 - 2023

​Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

Elected Member, 2018 - 2019, Fall 2020
General Member, 2019 - 2020

​Graduate Students in Architecture
President, 2019 - 2020

Reappointment, Promotion,
& Tenure Committee

Graduate Elected Member, 2018 - 2019

CONFERENCES

Syracuse Symposium
Syracuse University Humanities Center
26 March 2024

“The Landscape of Women’s Bodily Autonomy: Collaboration Toward Greater Access to Reproductive Freedom and Care in the U.S.” Co-hosted with Distinguished Prof. Lori Brown of Syracuse University.

ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION

Tara's face with glasses, looking toward text on the right.

Assistantships at Cornell University

College of Human Ecology / Human Centered Design

Graduate Student Lecturer / Teaching Assistant
Design Computing, DEA/FSAD 1140, Academic Year 2024–25

Faculty Appointments

The Boston Architectural College
School of Architecture

ADJUNCT FACULTY
Master’s of Architecture Program, ARCH 3308
Academic Year 2023–24, Spring 2023

This intermediate-level design studio explores the ideas at the intersection of urban, landscape, and architectural scales. While it is provided for those students in the architecture program, this course gives a greater deal of attention to the connections of the built environment to the landscape and landscape design.

Syracuse University
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

ADJUNCT FACULTY
Visual Communications Department,
Academic Year 2023–24, Spring 2023, Summer 2021

Graphic Design Fundamentals, VIS 207
Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023

  • Create and provide lectures, as part of a teaching team, covering various visual design topics as required by the department;

  • Coached undergraduate-level students with varying levels of design experience through the creation of wordmarks, posters, magazine layouts, and websites

Graphic Design Fundamentals, VIS 607
(Graduate-level), Summer Session II 2021

Office of Academic Affairs
First Year Experience Program

Lead Instructor , First Year Student Seminar
Fall 2023, 2022 & 2020

School of Architecture

Adjunct Faculty
January 2021–May 2023

Second-Year Design Studio Sequence (ARC 208) SP2023

First-Year Design Studio Sequence (ARC 107/108)
SP2021, FA2021, SP2022, FA2022

Vertical Design Studio (Summer 2022) Designing Duality

Professional Elective (ARC500, SP 2022) Infectious Architecture: Designing Against Contagion

This course examines case studies of infamous pandemics, beginning with the 14th c. Black Death through today’s COVID crisis. It considers how different pathogens have driven architectural, landscape, and infrastructural innovations. Students will also study the evolving popular beliefs and scientific knowledges that impact(ed) the use and design of space, explore many of the social, economic, and political issues at play during each respective epidemic.

Thesis Preparation Advisory Role (ARC505, SP2022)

Assistantships at Syracuse University

School of Architecture

Design Studio Teaching Assistant / January–December 2020

Teaching Assistant / August 2018–December 2019

Research Intern, January 2018–December 2019

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Graduate Assistant / Summers 2019 & 2020
Fundamentals of Graphic Design (VIS 607)

PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERIENCE

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
National Counterterrorism Center
Directorate of Intelligence

Counterterrorism Analyst, October 2013–July 2014

  • Performed in-depth analysis of complex and pressing national security, counterterrorism (CT) cooperation, and CT threat issues in the Middle East

  • Prepared a variety of products, including shorter analytic pieces and
    long-term studies to support critical US national security and foreign policy objectives and help shape Intelligence Community (IC) analysis and priorities

  • Provided a range of briefings and written assessments to key internal and external IC customers and policymakers—from the President and his staff, to Cabinet-level policymakers, and state and local law enforcement officers

  • Demonstrated command of research, writing, briefing, and editing skills; mentored new analysts and helped develop their analytic toolkit

Executive Assistant to the NCTC Director of Intelligence
April–October 2013

This position was a six-month opportunity to broaden corporate responsibilities.

  • Ensured a smooth running of daily operations and supported senior leaders by maintaining situational awareness of activities and developments impacting the Directorate

  • Consistently demonstrated leadership qualities including strong initiative, accountability, and the capacity to perform duties with minimal supervision; and used strong people skills to foster and improve relationships across the Center

  • Worked under intense pressure with tight timelines, while upholding a calm problem-solving attitude, an ability to apply creativity to solutions, while maintaining a sense of humor

Counterterrorism Analyst, March 2010–April 2013

  • The primary duties of this position mirror those of my regional CT analyst position, but with
    a focus on issues related to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) Counterterrorism

  • Taught sections of NCTC’s CBRN terrorism course for IC analysts