Allison is the Deputy Branch Head on the Oceanographer of the Navy's staff at the Pentagon. In that capacity she helps set the direction for the Navy METOC community's resourcing, requirements, and capabilities within the DoD's Future Years Defense Program. Allison is a 2008 Mitchell Scholar. She received a Master's Degree in Meteorology from University College Dublin. Her thesis research examined predictors of seasonal variance in tropical cyclone activity with particular focus on the affect of the solar cycle and sunspots on sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic development region. Allison's research also informed a study, conducted in collaboration with a London based risk management firm, into improving the ability to predict land-falling hurricanes. Allison obtained her undergraduate degree from the US Naval Academy.