About CCCR
Our Team
Founded on the belief that cybersecurity and psychological wellbeing are inseparable, CCCR brings together experts in research, education, and digital ethics.
Our Origin and Mission
The Center for Cybersecurity and Cyberpsychology Research (CCCR) emerged from a critical realization: cybersecurity is not just a technical problem — it's a human problem. How people behave online, how they relate to technology, and how they process digital experiences are deeply rooted in psychology and human nature.
Our founder, Michael Davis, served twenty-one years in the U.S. Navy (1995–2016) — including the Joint Chiefs of Staff IT branch at the Pentagon and the Defense Information Systems Agency, and Information System Security Manager roles aboard USS John C. Stennis — then held security roles at Boeing and Los Alamos National Laboratory before founding Merek Security Solutions in 2018. Along the way he recognized a major gap: organizations were investing billions in technology-based defenses while ignoring the human factors that drive security failures. This led to a deeper question: What if we started with psychology?
That question became our foundation. CCCR now brings together researchers, educators, and practitioners to study how technology affects human cognition, behavior, and wellbeing — and to translate those insights into practical guidance for individuals, families, educators, and organizations.
We believe the next frontier in cybersecurity is not stronger passwords or better encryption. It's a generation of people who understand technology deeply — its benefits, its risks, and its effects on their minds and bodies. That's our mission.
Part of a Larger Ecosystem
CCCR is connected to two complementary organizations:
Merek Security Solutions →
Our sister organization providing enterprise cybersecurity consulting, risk management, and compliance services. Merek brings practical, hands-on cybersecurity expertise to organizations of all sizes.
MindfulBytes →
A K-5 digital wellness program bringing interoceptive awareness and digital emotional literacy to the youngest technology users. MindfulBytes is grounded directly in CCCR research.
Governance
CCCR is governed by its board of directors and officers. The names below match the organization’s filings of record as a New Mexico nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) public charity.
Board of Directors
Michael Davis
Director · Executive Director
DSc Candidate at Capitol Technology University. Fellow, Center for Digital Thriving, Harvard Graduate School of Education (2025–2026). Twenty-one years in the U.S. Navy (1995–2016), including the Joint Chiefs of Staff IT branch at the Pentagon and the Defense Information Systems Agency, and Information System Security Manager roles aboard USS John C. Stennis — followed by security roles at Boeing and Los Alamos National Laboratory, and an IBM Watson Health engagement through Merek Security Solutions.
Luke Owen
Director
Serving on the board of directors, supporting the mission through governance leadership and oversight.
Brad Bennett
Director
Serving on the board of directors, providing strategic guidance and organizational leadership.
Officers
Adam Rubel
Director of Operations
Gillian Gonda
Corporate Secretary
Team & Contributors
The researchers, educators, and practitioners who carry the work forward. Team members and contributors do not serve on the board of directors.
Eden Nolan
Cyber Ethics Strategist and Researcher
Doctoral researcher focusing on digital emotional literacy and cyberpsychology. Leading our research initiatives in youth digital wellness.
Dr. Stephen Catt
Research Funding Advisor
Advising on research funding strategy and project design, drawing on extensive experience in workforce development and grant-funded programs.
Seth Watkins
Director of Outreach & Partnerships
Leading our outreach and partnership development. Ensuring our research and programs reach the communities that need them most.
Terry Wong
Creative Director
Designing our educational materials, visual identity, and community communications. Making complex cybersecurity and psychology concepts accessible.
Mark Fidel
Sales Broker
Building strategic partnerships and expanding our reach. Connecting research insights with real-world applications.
Our Values
Evidence-Based
We ground our work in peer-reviewed research, not ideology or opinion.
Practical
Research means nothing if it doesn't translate into actionable change. We focus on real-world applications.
Accessible
Complex ideas deserve clear language. We make cybersecurity and psychology understandable to everyone.
Community-Focused
Our work serves the community. We believe in education, accessibility, and building digital wellness culture.
Ethical
We examine how technology affects human dignity, agency, and wellbeing — and we lead with those considerations.
Let's Work Together
Whether you're interested in our research, consulting services, or educational programs, we'd love to connect.