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About Me

 I currently hold a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of St Andrews with the PeaceRep Team doing database work on Global Fragmentation and Peacebuilding. I am looking forward to my upcoming visiting fellowship with the Institute for European Global Studies, Universität Basel on “Natural Resources as Objects of Conflict.” I have a Ph.D. in political science from Loyola University Chicago. I study climate change, migration, and conflict and my dissertation work lies at the intersection of Comparative Politics and International Relations. I have several related projects in the fields of the economics of migration, environmental constitutionalism, and peace studies. My expertise lies in quantitative research methodology and data science, and I possess proficient skills in these areas (see my CV). 

Throughout my doctoral program, I engaged in a several university service positions including acting as an evaluator for the Loyola Undergraduate Research & Engagement Symposium, the president of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, a judge and moderator at the Loyola Graduate Research Symposium, the vice president of the Political Science Graduate Student Association, an Undergraduate Research Mentor, and an organizer for the Graduate School Information Event(s) for Loyola undergraduates.  

Furthermore, I am trained in several languages including Arabic, Turkish, and Spanish. My volunteer work with RefugeeOne and Project Elea have allowed me to tutor refugees of a variety of ages and countries of origin. 

In my freetime, I enjoy meditation, yoga, reading, playing video games, and playing with data!

 

HONORS & AWARDS


    • 2024
      APSA Best Dissertation Prize, Migration & Citizenship Section, Honorable Mention

    • 2023
      Equity in Quantitative Research Fellow, Institute for Racial Justice (IRJ)
      Gannon Graduate Leadership Fellow
      ISA Pay It Forward Travel Grant & Mentoring Program, Award: $500
      ISA Research Workshop Award (Collaborator on Proposal), Award: $2,500
      Fulbright U.S. Scholarship Program (Istanbul, Turkey), Selected as alternate
      Box-Steffensmeier Scholarship, Award: Fully funded ICPSR methods courses for both sessions
      Loyola Rule of Law Institute – Graduate Student Fellow, Award: $3,500
      Institute of Turkish Studies Language Grant Awardee, Award: $3,000
      MPSA Mentorship Reception (2022, 2023)

    • 2022
      ISSS Pay It Forward mentoring program for early career women

    • 2018
      IMISCOE/Association of Migration (GAR) Doctoral Research Award on Integration & Adaptation Strategies for Refugees, Award: Funded PhD Summer School

    • 2017
      Dwight Ink Scholar, Iowa State University, Award: $1,000

    • 2016
      International Studies Sponsorship, Iowa State University, Award: $1,500

      PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

      • 2023-Present
        Fellow at the Centre for Global Law and Governance, University of St Andrews
        Private Enterprise and Peace (PEP) Lab Research Affiliate
        Council of Graduate School Programs (CGSP)
        Graduate Studies Coordinating Board (GSCB)

      • 2022-Present
        American Political Science Association (APSA), Migration & Citizenship; Conflict Processes
        International Studies Association (ISA), Environmental Studies; Ethnicity, Nationalism, & Migration Studies; Peace Studies; Women’s Caucus
        National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)

      • 2020-2023
        Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC)

        • 2022: President
        • 2021: Secretary
        • 2020: Political Science Department Delegate

      • 2018-2023
        Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA)

      • 2016-Present
        Pi Sigma Alpha – The National Political Science Honor Society

      • 2012-2014
        National Honor Society (NHS)

      PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

      • 2023-2024
        Junior Scholars in International Security, etc (JSISE) Organizer

      • 2024-Present
        Review of International Political Economy, Reviewer

      • Summer 2023
        Loyola Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, Graduate Intern

      • 2022-2023
        Symposium Co-Organizer and Moderator, Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Symposium

      • Summer 2022
        Loyola Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program

      • Spring 2022
        Loyola Undergraduate Research & Engagement Symposium, Evaluator

      • 2020-Present
        Journal of International Migration and Integration, Reviewer

      • 2019-2023
        RefugeeOne, English Tutor, Chicago, IL

      • Summer 2019
        Project Elea Refugee Camp, Teacher, Athens, Greece

      • 2015-2018
        Court-Appointed Special Advocate, Child Advocate, Ames, IA