Laura Cassani

Laura is the Deputy Division Director of the Intelligent Performance Analytics Division. In this capacity, she helps to manage a division focused on developing innovative analytics to assess and improve human performance and decision-making in complex environments. Previously, Laura led Aptima’s System Optimization Analytics (SOA) capability, a portfolio of projects focused on operationalizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches to dynamic human-machine systems. She specializes in bridging technical and operational requirements across a variety of domains to achieve results that quickly and succinctly synthesize data in support of informed decision-making. Laura has led several successful research and development efforts for the DoD, including serving as Principal Investigator on multiple projects for ONR, DARPA, AFRL, and MCSC. She currently supports multiple DARPA programs in developing methods for test and evaluation of algorithms in the context of human-machine systems. For more than ten years, she has also led technology development for the Marine Civil Information Management System (MARCIMS), a deployed Program of Record supporting Marine Corps Civil Affairs operators. This work has included leveraging next-generation technology insertion focused on innovative applications of machine learning and AI technologies in this domain.

Laura holds a MA in Security Studies from Georgetown University focusing on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, and a BA in International Relations from Boston University.