IA student research on critical mining threats earns first place

Three JMU Intelligence Analysis students earned first place in the 2026 poster competition at the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation’s GEOINT Symposium, held in May. The competition recognizes outstanding student research connected to geospatial intelligence and national security challenges.

Abigail Gorman ('26), Lindsay Toothaker ('26) and Savannah Dorey ('26) presented their capstone project, “Forecasting Threats to Critical Mining by March 23 Movement (M23) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Sponsored by the National Counterterrorism Center, the team used a range of analytic methods, including causal loop diagramming, divergent scenario development, change detection, mine vulnerability evaluation and geospatial analysis.

Their research examined how M23, a non-state violent extremist group operating in the North and South Kivu provinces, could potentially use commercial drones to threaten mining operations and impact U.S. investment interests in the region.

Organizers noted that the winning projects demonstrated “analytical depth, originality, and clear relevance to the GEOINT mission.”

"The GEOINT Symposium offers incredible opportunities for young professionals to engage with geospatial experts and learn directly about where the field is heading,” Gorman said.

“This recognition reflects the strength of the students’ research, analytic, and presentational skills,” said Dr. Stephen Marrin, Intelligence Analysis professor and capstone advisor. “It also provides these undergraduate IA students with opportunities usually associated with graduate school, such as conference presentations and publications.” 

Marrin noted that Gorman, Toothaker and Dorey will be invited back next year to deliver a keynote at GEOINT Foreword in Kissimmee, Florida.

“The JMU IA faculty helped us present the strongest version of our poster and grow our confidence as analysts,” Gorman said. “We are grateful for and motivated by this win to continue developing our analytic competencies, and we appreciate all the support that made this possible.”