About Me

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). My research examines territorial politics, nationalism, secessionism, decolonization, and ethnic politics. My Ph.D. dissertation project examines the role of cultural and material factors in motivating the emergence of secessionist movements, guiding the selection of pro-secession arguments that elites use, and shaping popular support for secession.

I incorporate a variety of research methods into my work, including large-N cross-national studies, survey research, interviews, ethnography and participant observation, and text analysis. As part of my dissertation research, I conducted fieldwork in 8 regions with currently or recently active secessionist movements.   

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Throughout my Ph.D., I have also been extensively involved in student mentorship through teaching and working as a Graduate Mentor for the McNair Research Scholars Program. I am passionate about working with students and preparing them to conduct their own original research, navigate the complex world of academia, and apply to graduate school. 

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Outside of academics, I have also worked in the fields of international development with a focus on Latin America, international education, and legal aid for migrant farmworkers. ​

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