|
Welcome!I am a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh. My primary field of study is Comparative Politics with a focus on the Latin American region. My research agenda revolves around two interconnected themes: Race and ethnic politics, and the study of public goods, specifically security provision and vigilantism.
In particular, I am interested in exploring how states in Latin America decide where to allocate public goods in ethnically and racially diverse societies, and what implications this has for ethnic and racial minority communities within the state. For example, my dissertation examines the unequal distribution of security, such as police stations, and its impact on indigenous communities in Guatemala, particularly in relation to the emergence of vigilantism. Methodologically, my research combines intensive fieldwork and original data collection with advanced quantitative analysis. I have conducted on-the-ground research in rural areas of Central America to collect subnational data that are often unavailable through existing sources. I have also pursued advanced training in quantitative methods through the University of Michigan's ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods, where I served as a Warren E. Miller Fellow and also as a teaching assistant. These experiences have strengthened my ability to design and analyze research that combines detailed contextual knowledge with rigorous quantitative approaches. Before beginning my PhD, I earned an MA in Latin American Studies from Vanderbilt University. There, I received a Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship to study K'iche' Maya and conduct research on Indigenous politics in the rural highlands of Guatemala. My linguistic and field research experience has allowed me to develop a deep engagement with the communities and political contexts at the center of my research. My research, publications, and teaching reflect my broader interest in understanding how states interact with marginalized communities and how unequal patterns of state provision shape political life in Latin America. I welcome opportunities to connect with scholars and researchers working on related questions. |
