Associate Director for Biosecurity Research, RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology; Senior Policy Researcher; Professor of Policy Analysis, RAND School of Public Policy
Henry H. Willis is the associate director for biosecurity research for the RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology. He is a senior policy researcher at RAND and a professor of policy analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. He previously served as deputy director of the RAND Homeland Security Research Division and director of the division's Strategy, Policy, and Operations Program and Infrastructure, Immigration, and Security Operations Program.
Willis is a recognized expert in risk analysis and management. Recent work analyzes biosecurity risks and biodefense capabilities; emerging and existential risks; climate and natural disaster risks; critical infrastructure resilience; and national preparedness to chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological attacks. Through his work he testified before Congress; served on several committees of the National Academy of Sciences; advised government agencies across the United States, Europe, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates; and published dozens of journal articles, reports, and op-eds on applying risk analysis to homeland security policy.
Willis is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the Science and Governance Committees of the Society for Risk Analysis. His work in homeland security policy evolved from his work on program evaluation at the White House Office of Management and Budget and infrastructure design as a water and wastewater engineer. He earned his Ph.D. in engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, M.S. in environmental engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and B.A. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ph.D. in engineering and public policy, Carnegie Mellon University; M.A. in environmental engineering and science, University of Cincinnati; B.A. in chemistry and environmental sciences, University of Pennsylvania
