Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Since joining FDD in 2008, Laura Grossman’s research has impacted one of FDD’s most high profile projects – the Iran Energy Project (IEP). The Iran Energy Project's research helps policymakers counter Iran's illicit nuclear and ballistic weapons proliferation activities through the use of sanctions and other diplomatic tools. Laura developed and maintains the Iran Energy Project website, a leading source of information for the media, government, and the public about companies that either have been or are currently active in the Islamic Republic’s energy sector.  The site also documents worldwide legislation relating to Iran nuclear weapons activities, and up-to-date news on Iran.

Since joining FDD in 2008, Laura Grossman’s research has impacted one of FDD’s most high profile projects – the Iran Energy Project (IEP). The Iran Energy Project's research helps policymakers counter Iran's illicit nuclear and ballistic weapons proliferation activities through the use of sanctions and other diplomatic tools. Laura developed and maintains the Iran Energy Project website, a leading source of information for the media, government, and the public about companies that either have been or are currently active in the Islamic Republic’s energy sector.  The site also documents worldwide legislation relating to Iran nuclear weapons activities, and up-to-date news on Iran.

Laura has co-authored two groundbreaking reports with FDD’s Executive Director Mark Dubowitz highlighting the activities of companies that trade with Iran and the ties they have to the U.S. economy.

Laura also manages many of the research products requested by the policy community to help them make informed choices on national security issues.

Before becoming the lead Iran researcher for FDD, Laura was a Research Analyst for FDD’s Center for Terrorism Research, where she co-authored a report with Daveed Gartenstein-Ross that empirically examined the characteristics of homegrown terrorists in the West. Titled Homegrown Terrorists in the U.S. and U.K, the report was well received on both sides of the Atlantic and has been highlighted on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360º.

Prior to working at FDD, Laura was a research assistant for an award-winning investigative journalist and nationally-syndicated columnist.

She received her bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and received a M.S. in Global Affairs from New York University. At NYU, she was a founding member and managing editor of Perspectives on Global Issues, the first student-run publication at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs.