Dr. Erick Miyares

Dr. Erick Miyares

Dissertation Chair

Cyberpsychology
emiyares@captechu.edu

Dr. Erick Miyares is a Doctoral Chair and Dissertation Committee Member in Cyberpsychology and Forensic Cyberpsychology at Capitol Technology University. He is a Cyber Behavior Scientist and Cyberpsychology Researcher with a distinguished background spanning national security, intelligence, and applied behavioral science. He serves as a Doctoral Chair and Dissertation Committee Member in the Cyberpsychology program at Capitol Technology University, where he mentors Ph.D. candidates in Cyberpsychology and Forensic Cyberpsychology and supports interdisciplinary doctoral research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital behavior.

Dr. Miyares holds a Ph.D. in Cyberpsychology from Capitol Technology University. His doctoral research, Operational Cyberpsychology: Support to Cyberspace Operations, examined the cognitive and psychological impacts of sustained engagement in high-consequence cyber environments. His work introduced original constructs, including Cyberspace Operator Syndrome and Cognitive Cyberpresence, contributing to the emerging field of Operational Cyberpsychology. His research was supported by the highly competitive National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, and he is a Pat Tillman Scholar, reflecting a commitment to leadership, service, and academic excellence.

Professionally, Dr. Miyares serves as a Senior Cyber Threat Subject Matter Expert supporting the Department of Defense Insider Threat Management & Analysis Center’s Behavioral Threat Analysis Center (BTAC). His applied work focuses on cyber behavior analysis, insider threat risk, and human–AI interaction, with particular attention to the national security implications of AI companions and emotionally responsive artificial agents. He integrates cyberpsychology, cybersecurity, and intelligence tradecraft to assess behavioral risk across complex socio-technical systems.

Dr. Miyares brings 29 years of service in the United States Marine Corps and U.S. Army, including extensive experience supporting special operations and intelligence missions across cyberspace operations, signals intelligence, open-source intelligence, and human intelligence environments. This operational background informs his approach to cyberpsychology as both a scientific discipline and a practical capability.

In addition to his academic and operational roles, Dr. Miyares serves on the Editorial Board of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking and is a featured contributor to the forthcoming academic volume Building a Career in Cyberpsychology. He is actively engaged with international cyberpsychology research groups and remains a regular participant in the annual Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy, and Social Networking conferences, where he presented his doctoral research at the 28th international conference in Australia.

Dr. Miyares is a member of the International Association of CyberPsychology, Training & Rehabilitation (iACToR), the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), and the Military Cyber Professionals Association. Grounded in the Tillman Scholar ethos of service beyond self, he is committed to advancing rigorous, ethical, and evidence-based cyberpsychology research while mentoring the next generation of scholars and practitioners.

Dr. Miyares brings 29 years of combined service in the United States Marine Corps and U.S. Army, including 23 years supporting special operations and intelligence missions. His experience spans tactical-to-strategic environments and multiple intelligence disciplines, including signals intelligence (SIGINT), computer network operations (CNO), open-source intelligence (OSINT), and human intelligence (HUMINT). Across his career, he led sensitive, high-risk mission planning and execution; developed and integrated advanced technical capabilities; and served in senior advisory roles focused on innovation, operational planning, and workforce readiness.

He also held senior leadership positions within U.S. Army Special Operations Command supporting capability development and modernization, overseeing specialized portfolios across ISR, SIGINT, HUMINT, CNO, GEOINT, and special communications, including management of significant RDT&E and procurement resources. His service was recognized with numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the LTC Arthur D. Nicholson Award for intelligence excellence.

Areas of Expertise

  • Cyberpsychology
  • Cyber Behavior Analysis
  • Insider Threat Cyber Behavioral Risk
  • Threat Assessment
  • Human–AI Interaction and AI Companion Risk
  • Online Behavior and Digital Identity
  • Human Factors in Cyberspace Operations
  • Intelligence Operations
  • Special Operations

Education

  • Ph.D. in Cyberpsychology (2025) - Capitol Technology University
  • Graduate Studies in Science and Technology Intelligence (2018-2020): National Intelligence University
  • M.S. in Cybersecurity (2016), University of Maryland Global Campus
  • B.S. in Cybersecurity (2014), University of Maryland Global Campus
  • A.A. in Foreign Language and Literature (1998), Monterey Peninsula College

Professional Achievements

  • Editorial Board Member, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
  • Presented doctoral research at the 28th International Conference on Cyberpsychology, CyberTherapy, and Social Networking (Australia)
  • Contributor to the development and application of Cyber Behavior Analysis within national security environments

Professional Honors and Awards

Research & Publications (Selective)

Miyares, E (2025) “Operational Cyberpsychology: Support to Cyberspace Operations.” (Doctoral dissertation, Capitol Technology University).

Current Research Focus

  • Cyber Behavior Analysis: PAI/OSINT and UAM-informed behavioral risk interpretation
  • Human–AI interaction risk, including AI companions
  • Cognitive and psychological impacts of high-consequence digital environments
  • Forensic cyberpsychology: National security, insider threat, and exploitation pathways linked to digital behavior
  • Operational Cyberpsychology: cognitive and psychological demands of high-consequence cyberspace operations

Selected Keynotes & Conferences

  • Aiken, M.P., Miyares, E., Marineau, M (2025) “Cyberpsychology Research at Capitol Tech”
  • Miyares, E (2025). “Operational Cyberpsychology: Support to Cyberspace Operations. An Empirical Investigation into the Lived Experience of The Interactive Operator.” 28th International Conference on CyberPsychology, CyberTherapy, and Social Networking, Sydney, Australia.
  • Miyares, E (2024). “Applied Cyberpsychology: Insights into Online Behaviors.” DCSA CDSE Speaker Series
  • Miyares, E (2024). “Dangers of Online Gaming: Foreign Intelligence Gathering and Contact Reporting” DCSA CDSE Speaker Series
  • Miyares, E (2024) “The Psychological Impact of Technology Use in Cyber Warfare.” (November 15). Cybercology, Episode #20
  • Miyares, E (2023), “Erick Miyares on Operational Cyberpsychology.” (July 13). The Cognitive Crucible, Episode #118:

Volunteer/Service Experience

  • Academic mentorship of doctoral and early-career cyberpsychology researchers
  • Service-oriented leadership grounded in the Tillman Scholar ethos of service beyond self
  • Ongoing engagement with US cyberspace operations and intelligence communities supporting operational cyberpsychology practice, and national security workforce occupational resilience

Organizations & Affiliations

  • International Association of CyberPsychology, Training & Rehabilitation (iACToR)
  • Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
  • Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA)
  • Information Professional Association
  • American Psychological Association (APA)

Webinars

Professional Website & Social Media