Heather Ashby is the senior program officer for the Center for Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Dr. Ashby joined USIP after seven years with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she worked at the intersection of homeland security and international affairs. She also focused on U.S.-Russia relations at DHS. Her research interests include Russia's activities in the Global South, particularly in Africa. Dr. Ashby researches and publishes on Russia's involvement in conflict zones and efforts to wield influence in the Global South through kinetic and non-kinetic means. She also supports USIP's work on Ukraine and strategic competition. Dr. Ashby received her doctorate from the University of Southern California in 2014.