(CNN) -- An American graduate student who went to Iraq to find ways to help ordinary citizens persevere in a transitioning government was one of two American civilians killed in a Sadr City bombing. Nicole Suveges, a political scientist working toward her doctorate, died in a Sadr City bombing Tuesday. Nicole Suveges, a married political scientist from Illinois, was part of a program that embeds academics into military units to help personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan navigate the local environment, according to her employer, BAE Systems. Suveges, who started her tour with Human Terrain System in April, had been assigned to support the 3rd Brigade Combat Team for the 4th Infantry Division in "political, cultural, and tribal engagements," a statement from the program said.
@highlight
Nicole Suveges, 38, was part of team of academic embeds advising military in Iraq
@highlight
The political scientist and Johns Hopkins grad student died in Sadr City bombing
@highlight
Suveges is second Human Terrain System employee to die in combat zone this year
@highlight
She was also finishing dissertation on citizens in transitioning governments
The officials were helping mediate disputes among the @placeholder leadership and "facilitate the development of a more representative local government," the statement said.