DR. PAULA G. THORNHILL

Dr. Paula Thornhill joined RAND Corporation in September 2009. She directs the Project AIR FORCE Strategy and Doctrine Program. She is also an adjunct professorial lecturer in strategic studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Her last assignment was as the Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (2006-2009). Just prior to her time as Commandant, she served as the Principal Director for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In addition, she has taught at the Air Force Academy and been assigned to the Air Staff, the Joint Staff, U.S. Strategic Command, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She served as the Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs at the National War College, and she was special assistant to the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard B. Myers, USAF.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree in history from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master's degree in history from Stanford University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in history from Oxford University.

A biography of Thornhill's military career is available at http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=8463.

(current as of April 2013)