V. Bram Lillard, Ph.D.
Director
V. Bram Lillard is the Director of the Science, Systems and Sustainment Division in the Systems and Analyses Center. Bram leads a staff of physical scientists, engineers and data scientists engaged in assessing cutting-edge scientific advancements and breakthrough technologies; developing innovative weapon system concepts; conducting analyses of alternatives, developmental testing, and system performance assessments; and performing mission- and force-level modeling and simulation and resource-to-readiness decision modeling.
Bram was previously the Director of the Operational Evaluation Division (OED). In that role, he provided strategic leadership, project oversight and direction for the division’s research program, which primarily supports the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Bram joined IDA in 2004 as a member of the research staff. In 2013-14, he was the acting science advisor to DOT&E. He then served as OED’s assistant director and later, deputy director. He previously held roles leading IDA’s analytical support to the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and leading OED’s Naval Warfare Group in support of DOT&E. He is an expert in quantitative data analysis methods, test design, naval warfare systems and operations and sustainment analyses for Defense Department weapon systems.
Bram has both a doctorate and a master’s degree in physics from the University of Maryland. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from State University of New York at Geneseo. Bram is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in National and International Security program. He was awarded IDA’s Andrew J. Goodpaster Award for Excellence in Research in 2017.
Laura Itle, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Laura Itle leads a research team that evaluates homeland security technologies and procedures that protect critical infrastructure and major public events like MLB and NFL games. Her primary research areas cover chemical-biological defense, chemical demilitarization, public health, homeland security technologies, and policy. She volunteers with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps, contributing over 250 hours to support COVID-19 vaccine points of distribution. Laura received her doctorate in chemical engineering at Pennsylvania State University. She is an alumna of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XXI (Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest) Program as well as Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs National Security Studies program.
Emily D. Heuring, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Emily Heuring joined IDA in 2004, initially supporting operational testing of chemical and biological defense systems for the Department of Defense. She has also provided evaluations of antiterrorist technologies for the Department of Homeland Security. Currently, she leads IDA’s analytic support to the Office of the Secretary of Defense for programming and budget reviews. Emily has a doctorate in biochemistry, cellular biology and molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at Butler University.
John S. Hong, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
John Hong leads a research team that informs the Office of the Secretary of Defense on early phase developmental testing of major defense programs. Additionally, he oversees a team supporting battle management systems for missile defense in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During his time at IDA, John has spearheaded research into a range of topics, including test and evaluation, integrated air and missile defense, hypersonics, air warfare, and defense modeling and simulation. He holds both a doctorate and a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Seoul National University. John is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in National and International Security program at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Jessica G. Swallow, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Jessica Swallow’s research focuses on materials science and engineering challenges for defense applications, including electrochemical energy storage and power generation, nanotechnology, and alternative fuel synthesis. She also led projects focused on risk of injury from intermediate force capabilities. Jessica received her doctorate in materials science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a minor concentration in statistical analysis and machine learning. Her thesis work focused on the chemomechanics of oxide materials for fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries and incorporated an emphasis on operando characterization of chemomechanical effects. Jessica received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.