Wendy S. Painting is a freelance investigative researcher who holds a PhD in American Studies from the University of Buffalo, a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of New York at Brockport, and a BA in English Literature. She is a highly trained researcher in the humanities and social sciences specializing in contentious / controversial post-Cold War era political cultures, events, circumstances and individuals within the United States; domestic intelligence and counterintelligence operations; and research methodologies in 'troubled' fields.