Andrew Mara

Dr. Andrew Mara is the head of the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. He leads a 200-person department focused on conducting in-depth analyses for the Laboratory and its government sponsors on critical national security issues. NSAD provides robust analytical capabilities to inform senior government decision-makers and operational commanders, and delivers the analytic foundation for decisions related to technology and policy, advanced capabilities, complex systems and operations, and architectures. Mara has been recognized with the Presidential Rank Award, the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award. He holds a Ph.D. in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from Yale University and a dual bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and economics from the University of California, San Diego.