~ RGVRC Affiliate Scholar ~

Orsola Lina Tragni is a third-year Ph.D. student in Media and Public Affairs at Louisiana State University, where her research examines the intersections of media, terrorism, and public opinion. Her work explores how communication technologies influence national security, political identities, and public perceptions of threat. She has received both the Elinor Ostrom Fellowship and the Paul Lewis Fellowship at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center as well as the Conflict Transformation Fellowship through Middlebury College.

Tragni has previously served as a research assistant with the Applied Research Lab for Intelligence and Security and has held multiple roles in national security–related research, political campaigns, and congressional offices. She holds an M.A. in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis from Northeastern University and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Portland. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys traveling, exploring global cuisines, and supporting the Los Angeles Dodgers.