helen barahona

Helen Barahona recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine (‘23).  She double-majored in Political Science (Honors) & Sociology and has been working with the Shadow Topics team as a research intern at the Political Violence Lab. Prior to working with the lab she served as a student assistant at the UCI Basic Needs Center, and the managing editor for LUCID: art, writing and advocacy publication for first-gen students at UCI. She has extensive experience conducting qualitative research and completed an honors thesis on the Government-Media Connections in the Portrayal of Northern Triangle Migrants. During her free-time she likes to read, paint, rate movies on letterboxd and go bike-riding.

keinah baron

Keinah Baron (‘23) is from the Bay Area, California. She is a senior at the University of California, Davis (UCD) where she is graduating with a BA in Political Science. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, she is a leading member of a nonprofit organization known as Prescription Justice, where she authors monthly articles to spread awareness of our nation's ongoing prescription drug pricing crisis. Asides from her advocacy work, Keinah plays an active and integral role at UCD as the President of a women’s political science organization. There, she promotes her interests in political leadership and civic engagement for the next generation of WOC political leaders. Keinah aspires to graduate from law school with an emphasis on judicial reform.

Soleil barbour-berson

Soleil Barbour-Berson (‘25) is pursuing a major in International Relations at the University of California, Davis. During her time in the lab, she worked with the National Archives team to research instances of Persian Gulf War bombings and other wartime activity. This was done as part of an initiative to build a global violence dataset that draws on sources beyond major news media. After completing her undergraduate education, Soleil plans to attend law school with a long term goal of working in human rights law. In her free time Soleil enjoys reading, attending live music performances, and exploring new places.

Mia bartschi

Mia Bartschi ('24) is from Colorado, now studying Political Science at the University of California, Merced. Her background is in voter activation, with experience in Colorado electoral administration. Besides the Political Violence Lab, Mia also heads the UC Merced Law Clinic, creating the first legal support infrastructure for undergraduates. She intends to continue her education in the legal field.

Kai is from San Diego, California. Kai is a third year Political Science major and Professional Writing minor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Since January 2022, Kai has been with the lab on the Determinants of Displacement team, where he researches factors that drive migration and displacement, factors that restrict migration, factors that influence return migration, and costs of internal displacement. Kai plans to attend law school after graduation and hopes to pursue a career in sports law. In his free time, Kai enjoys playing basketball, playing piano, reading, and watching sports.

Jade Bell (‘23) is from Temecula, California. She is currently studying English Literature at the University of California, Davis. As well as a current member of the Political Violence Lab, she is a mentee in the Black Pre-Law Student Association. Motivated by policy concerns, she is seeking to be a paralegal and work more extensively in the legal field. In her spare time, Jade enjoys watching movies, reading, and occasionally rollerskating.

Clay Bell is from San Francisco and is a Junior at UC Berkeley. They are studying Political Science and Public Policy. They plan to study abroad in Australia, bringing them closer to their goal of visiting every populated continent. Outside of academics, they love musicals, the SF Giants, and their dog Jasper.

Sebastian bock

Sebastian Bock ('23) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa but grew up across the Pacific Northwest. He then attended the University of California, Santa Cruz where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in History, with a regional focus on Europe and the Mediterranean. As well as completing a Bachelor’s in Politics, with a concentration on international politics. Sebastian aspires to attend law school.

Judy Blancaflor (’21) is from Long Beach, California. She is a senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations and a minor in Public Policy. Beyond the Political Violence Lab, her interests include Latin American politics and conflict. She has been an active chair with Delta Phi Epsilon, Berkeley’s co-ed international affairs and foreign service professional fraternity. Additionally, she is a member of Berkeley’s Latin Leadership Society, Transfer Coalition, and Nuclear Policy Working Group. Post-graduation, Judy hopes to work as third-party contractor under the State Department before attending graduate school.

jason braun

Jason is a recent graduate of the University of California, Merced; majoring in Political Science and minoring in Anthropology. Through a campus-wide referendum, he established the first official legal service for the University of California, Merced. As Director of the UC Merced Law Clinic from 2017-2020, he acquired legal assistance for over 350 students. His work in the Office of the Dean of Students and Associate Vice Chancellor established a marketing campaign that highlighted the enduring resilience and creativity of students in the pandemic. Recently, he served on the Board of Directors for Pre-Health Shadowing, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Jason aspires to graduate from law school with an emphasis on judicial reform. 

kieran cabezas

Kieran Cabezas ('23) is from the Bay Area, California. He is a senior at the University of California, Davis (UCD) where he is graduating with a degree in International Relations with an emphasis on Peace and Security and an Area Focus in Latin America. Kieran served as a member of the International Relations Student Association at UCD and became an international staff writer for the Davis Political Review. He also conducted research related to partisan warfare and global climate mitigation efforts through the Mentor-Mentee Program in Humanities, Arts, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences program. At the lab Kieran is involved in multiple projects including conflict events tracking, "shadow topics" interviews, and coding efforts to extract data on social unrest around the world. After leaving the lab he is planning to work abroad in Ecuador before attending graduate school and ultimately pursuing a career in foreign affairs. In his spare time Kieran is an avid reader of history and ceaselessly sustains his passion for Latin American folk music. 

Martha carreon

Martha Lucia Carreon (‘21) is from Los Angeles, California. She is a senior transfer student at University of California Irvine, majoring in Psychological Science. In addition to her work with the lab, she is a research assistant in the  CRH lab at UCI. She is also an active member of UCI’s Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) a national honors society dedicated to helping first-generation and low-income students achieve academic success through mentorship, workshops, and study sessions. After graduating from UCI, Martha will plan to attend graduate school, majoring in Psychology.

Isabella is a third year Evolution, Ecology, Biodiversity, and History major at UC Davis. She is from San Diego, and has been working with the Determinants of Displacement team since the beginning of 2022. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, Isabella works for the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice, where she helps communities get the information they need to fight against toxic waste. Post-graduation, Isabella hopes to attend graduate school and eventually find a career in wildlife conservation.

Janina cera

Janina B. Cera is born and raised in the Philippines and migrated to Orange County. She is a Public Health Policy major, minoring in International Studies. She transferred from Saddleback Community College to the University of California, Irvine. She is an active member of Kababayan, a Pilipino organization at UCI. She is also a member of Global Refugees Organization Towards Health and Hope (GROWTHH) and the Southeast Asian Student Association (SASA). After getting her BA from UCI, Janina plans to get her MA, and possibly work for an international organization or NGO that specializes in global health.

rishab chatty

Rishab Chatty  is a rising senior at Arizona State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in May 2024. He is currently serving as Assistant Director of the Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention. His expertise and interests include terrorism, political violence, accountability for atrocity crimes, and human rights. Since his time at the Political Violence Lab, he has worked for or interned at the Wilson Center, New America, Freedom House, the Arizona State Press, the Realist Review, the Central California Intelligence Center, the Carter Center, and The Counterterrorism Group. He has also published work with Johns Hopkins’ Macksey Journal and presented (or will be presenting) his research at a variety of academic conferences, including ISA West 2021, the Pi Sigma Alpha National Research Conference 2022, APSA 2022, ISA Asia-Pacific 2023 and APSA 2023.

Yuval Cohen

han cheng

Han Cheng ('22) recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in Global Studies and Comparative Literature. He is pursuing a Master's degree in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School as a member of the class of 2025. Han was a member of the PVL Media Bias project through the UCDC program in 2020. He especially enjoyed working with the PVL team and Professor Shaver. Presently, Han is leveraging his skills in administrative laws while working with the United Nations. Looking ahead, he aspires to further his education and is considering pursuing either a J.D. or a Ph.D. in Legal Studies.

connor creach

Yuval Cohen is from Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Masters in International Affairs at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.  Her concentration is in International Security Policy and Conflict Mediation. She went to UC Santa Barbara for undergrad where she majored in Political Science and Philosophy. In her free time, Yuval enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and crocheting hats for her friends.

katie crumpley

Katie Crumpley (‘23) is a legal studies student who is passionate about meaningful work to create a better, more equitable world. Throughout her past and current experiences, she has learned that advocacy work often involves time, dedication, and failure, but is ultimately a worthwhile endeavor if it means positive change is possible.

sofia de melo

Sofia de Melo (’21) is from Oakland California. She currently attends the University of California, Davis where she is studying political science and anthropology with an emphasis in public service. At UCD, she served as a board member and campaign coordinator for CALPIRG, a public interest activism group. She then transitioned into research where she currently works as a research assistant for the Hollywood Closet Project. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school and build a career in public policy.

Connor Creach ('25) is from Fremont, California. Connor is a third year Political Science major at the University of California, Riverside. He has been with the Political Violence Lab since June, 2023 and is working on archival research regarding the Persian Gulf War. Outside of the Lab, Connor is a member of the ASUCR Legislative Advocacy Committee, where he strives to get legislation passed that benefits UC students. His non-academic interests include surfing, skiing, reading, and playing guitar. 

cassidy cruz

Cassidy Cruz ('19) is born in Torrance but spent most of his life in Sacramento, California. He is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego where he receive his Bachelor's Degree in International Studies - Political Science with a regional focus on the Asia-Pacific. After graduation, Cassidy intends to delve into work as a policy analyst before going to grad school where he intends to focus on Indo-Pacific regional security.

marwa doost

Marwa Doost (‘21) is from Hayward, California. She is majoring in English with a minor in Global Poverty and Practice at the University of California, Berkeley. As the daughter of refugees who escaped Afghanistan during the Soviet Invasion, Marwa is dedicated to utilizing social science research to investigate human rights violations across the globe. Alongside her work with the Political Violence Lab, Marwa has recently conducted an independent project investigating Afghan identity politics. She has also served as a human trafficking research and policy intern with the NGO, Building Resources Across Communities, to propose preventive anti-trafficking measures for vulnerable populations. Post-graduation, Marwa strives to involve herself in human rights and educational research efforts to better address the needs of all communities.

brooke douma

Brooke Douma (’24) is from San Diego, CA. She is a senior at the University of California, Davis, pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Comparative Literature. She is a part of the Shadow Topics team, which seeks to draw attention to international affairs issues that are underrepresented by the media. Outside of the lab, she has interned for Justice for Housing, a grassroots organization that seeks to end housing discrimination and homelessness, as well as serves as a writer and editor for the campus magazine, HerCampus. Brooke plans to attend law school after graduation and hopes to pursue a career in either civil rights law or international human rights law. 

Jacob Duarte ('23) is from San Diego, CA. He is a Political Science major with a concentration in Public Policy at the University of California, San Diego. At the moment he is a interim academic research assistant at the Political Violence Lab located in Washington, D.C. Jacob plans to attend Harvard Kennedy School of Government after completing his undergraduate studies. He is passionate about U.S. domestic policy concerning civil rights, economic justice, and electoral integrity. Outside of academics, Jacob enjoys reading, weightlifting, and painting.

Dheera Dusanapudi (’25) is from Folsom, California, and is an International Relations major with a Human Rights minor at the University of California, Davis. She is part of the Determinants of Displacement project, where she researches the impacts of climatic events and political restrictions on the movement of displaced communities. Dheera intends to continue work regarding displaced communities and humanitarian aid post college. Outside of the Lab, she enjoys hiking and saber fencing.

zhenya farrington

Zhenya Farrington ('20) is a senior at the University of California at Davis majoring in International Relations with an emphasis in Security Studies and Eastern European Politics. He concurrently studies Russian language and culture.

meriam eskander

Meriam Eskander is a recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a major in Politics. She is originally from SoCal and transferred from community college there. In the future, she would love the opportunity to work in international relations and get the opportunity to travel to different countries. Some things she likes to do include taking her cat on a walk, reading news articles, watching reality TV, painting and exploring new places.

katherine gan

Katherine (‘21) is from Corona, California. She completed her B.A. in International Development Studies with honors from the University of California Los Angeles. She is now studying at UC Davis, School of Law, as a J.D. candidate while focusing on business / corporate law and international law.

lauren garibay

Lauren Garibay ('23) is from Whittier, CA. She is a Political Science major with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Asian American Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Currently holding a research position at the Political Violence Lab based in Washington, D.C. She hopes to attend graduate school at Princeton University at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. She is interested in international policy concerning U.S. relations with East Asian countries. Aside from academics, Lauren enjoys reading, trying new foods, and listening to a wide array of music.

charles gilb

Charles Gilb ('23) is from Pasadena, California. He is an incoming senior at the University of California, Davis, studying economics and history. He is highly interested in world economic history and international affairs. Charles hopes to attend law school or a graduate program in history following his graduation. Besides academics, he is an avid baseball fan and chess nerd.

fernanda godoy

Fernanda (‘23) is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. She is a rising senior at the University of California, Davis majoring in Statistics and Economics. At Davis she served as an intern for the Cross-Cultural Center and she is a member of Danzantes del Alma, a student retention program under the center. She is also a member of the Undergraduate Unrepresented Minorities in Economics Society at Davis. Fernanda plans to pursue a graduate program in statistics after graduating and she hopes to continue expanding her knowledge in various statistical methods and techniques in the upcoming years.

levi goldstein

Levi Goldstein is an undergraduate student at the University of California, Davis studying sociology with a concentration in social services and minors in professional writing and social & ethnic relations. Their research interests include critical and abolitionist theory, intersectionality, racial formation, urban sociology, and resistance movements. They plan to attend graduate school to pursue a career in social work, and are interested in cultivating open dialogue about injustice through speech and writing. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, they have worked as a writer and desk editor for the UC Davis student-run newspaper, The California Aggie.

John Grammas (‘22) is at University of California, Riverside majoring in Public Policy with a focus on International Affairs and Policy Making. John’s interests outside his studies are shared between movies and music.

sahiba grewal

Sahiba Grewal is from Huntington Beach, California and is an incoming senior at UCLA double majoring in Political Science and Anthropology, with a minor in Global Studies. She is particularly interested in the intersection between her majors, and has developed a strong passion for understanding power dynamics, the impact of social norms, and the influence of cultural practices on political processes and outcomes. After graduating from UCLA, she hopes to attend law school or pursue a career in public policy. In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing tennis, and running a nail art business.

Reese Henson

Reese Henson ('25) is a UCLA junior from Los Angeles, California. She is pursuing a Cognitive Science major with a Specialization in Computing and an Anthropology minor. During the academic winter quarter of 2024, she worked as a research intern for the Political Violence Lab in Washington DC. After graduation, she plans to attend a competitive university that has a great PsyD/PhD in Psychology program.

evan holter

Evan Holter is a UCLA student studying Political Science and minoring History, currently working with the Political Violence Lab. He has passions for International Relations research and is leading research, interviews, and outreach as part of the Shadow Topics project. Outside of academics, Evan is passionate about broadcast media and journalism, and how they interact with world affairs.

jack jacobs

Jack ('21) is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. At Dartmouth College, he plans to major in Environmental Studies and minor in International Studies and Russian. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, he serves as a senior editor for the Dartmouth Law Journal and a campus tour guide. He was a member of the Dickey Center for International Understanding’s Great Issues Scholars program and part of the Global Village Living Learning Community. He recently completed Dartmouth’s Russian Language Study Abroad and conducted a project on Russian energy usage. He is interested in environmental policy and its connection to foreign affairs.

bethany green

Bethany Green is a Senior at UC Davis majoring in Food Science and Technology. She is particularly interested in the intersection between food insecurity and refugees. Beyond the Political Violence Lab, she has also worked as a Food Chemistry Laboratory Assistant at UC Davis where they are striving to create healthier, more sustainable alternatives to trans fats

tina gupta

Tina Gupta is a fourth-year student at the University of California, Davis. She is majoring in Environmental Science and Management with a concentration in Climate Change and Air Quality. Additionally, she is minoring in Sustainability in the Built Environment. Tina is originally from India but grew up in Dubai and Singapore before coming to the US for University. In the Political Violence Lab, she is interested in finding potential shadow topics for the lab to research. After graduation, she plans on getting her Master's in climate or environmental science and working in environmental consulting.

andrea infante

Andrea ('23) is currently an undergraduate student studying Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Communications at the University of California, Los Angeles. After completing her undergraduate degree, she aims to attend law school and become a lawyer. She is a Peer Learning Facilitator for the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) at UCLA and a member of the Solid Gold Sound Marching Band.

tristan jahn

Tristan Jahn is from Chicago, Illinois. He attended UCLA and graduated in Spring 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Global Studies. He worked with the lab from June 2020 to January 2022, and is a co-author on the paper, Media Reporting on International Affairs, which has been published as part of Princeton’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project. After working as a law clerk at Affeld Grivakes LLP, he attended UC Irvine School of Law for his first year. He recently served as a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Josephine L. Staton of the Central District of California. This fall, he will be continuing his legal education at Cornell Law School.

Eliot Jobe

Eliot Jobe (‘24) is from Berkeley, California and currently lives in Santa Cruz, CA studying Politics. Eliot attended the UC Washington program in Fall 2023, and has worked with the lab on several projects since. With interests in international human rights, foreign policy and general international academic research, Eliot is looking at a PhD trajectory. In his free time, Eliot enjoys relaxing at the beach, talking about politics with his friends, and exploring the Santa Cruz mountains.

lamees kareem

Lamees ('22) is a student at Dartmouth College from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She plans on pursuing a degree in Economics & Government. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, Lamees draws editorial cartoons for The Dartmouth and is an Arabic language drill instructor and tutor. She serves as a member of the Political Economy Project Leadership Council and a mentor for the Great Issues Scholars Program at the Dickey Center for International Understanding. During her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, visiting art exhibits, and playing the piano.

Anthony kemp

Aleeza Khan is going into her fourth year at University of California, Davis, with a double major in Economics and Middle East/South Asia Studies. Outside of the lab, she teaches an online photography course and serves as the editor-in-chief of the Davis Vanguard, a current affairs publication. She is passionate about social justice and writing and hopes to go to law school after graduation.

Kai Keltner

Kai Keltner ('26) is from Davis, California, and Kyoto, Japan. He is a rising sophomore at Vanderbilt University studying Public Policy - International Relations and Applied Mathematics. At Vanderbilt, Kai is involved in the ROCCA Lab, Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations, and the Vanderbilt Commodore Orchestra. With interests in foreign policy and data science, he hopes to pursue graduate school studies in quantitative social sciences. In his free time, Kai enjoys hiking, travel, deep sea fishing, playing/listening to music, and late night conversations.

Aleeza Khan

Aleeza Khan is going into her fourth year at University of California, Davis, with a double major in Economics and Middle East/South Asia Studies. Outside of the lab, she teaches an online photography course and serves as the editor-in-chief of the Davis Vanguard, a current affairs publication. She is passionate about social justice and writing and hopes to go to law school after graduation.

Emma Khodaverdian

Emma Khodaverdian (’25) is pursuing a major in Political Science and Journalism at the George Washington University. She is also the National Organizing Director for Generation Ratify, the youth-led movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and advance gender equality in the United States, and has served in this position for over three years. In her time as Organizing Director, Emma has led over 13,000 young people in taking action for the ERA, met with Congressional leaders to advocate for gender equity and reproductive healthcare policy, and consulted on political campaigns at every level of government. She has also worked in collaboration with the Columbia Law School ERA Project to host the ERA Centennial Convention. During her time in the lab, Emma worked with the National Archives team to research instances of bombings and other wartime activity during the Persian Gulf War, in order to build a global violence dataset using sources beyond major media outlets. After completing her undergraduate degree, Emma hopes to attend law school and work in policy as a chief of staff or political strategist.

Robert Kramer

Rob ('23) is from San Luis Obispo, California. He is a senior at the University to California, Santa Barbara, where he is majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, Rob spends his time backpacking, surfing, and playing music. After graduation, Rob plans to take a gap year and work in Washington DC, with hopes of traveling to Southeast Asia. During this time, he will be applying to graduate programs in international economy and law school.

Justin Kramer

Justin ('21) is from Palo Alto, California. At Dartmouth, he plans to major in Government and minor in Public Policy. Outside of the PVL, Justin is a captain and chair for a Dartmouth Ultimate Frisbee team, associate editor of The Dartmouth newspaper, and President of the Random Acts of Kindness club. Justin interned at the National Disability Institute in Washington D.C., where he participated in Congressional lobbying. In his free time, Justin loves to hike in the New Hampshire wilderness, root for his hometown San Francisco Giants in baseball, and hang out with friends on the Dartmouth Green.

adrian kubicki

After graduating from UC, Berkeley, Adrian Kubicki plans to do his Law and MBA degree. He will pursue his career in the direction of Intellectual Property laws or Mergers and Acquisitions. In his free time, Adrian is a volunteer firefighter, learns about blockchain technologies, swims, scuba dives, rides a bicycle and a motorcycle. He loves to travel, and since moving to the US, he has visited 36 states.

aaron liow

Aaron ('22) is currently an Undergraduate Student studying Political Science at University of California, Berkeley. He is specializing in Comparative Politics, especially Southeast Asian Politics. After completing his undergraduate degree, he hopes to go to law school. During his free time, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

Sarah (‘22) studies International Studies and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine with concentrations in the Middle East and North Africa region, and Comparative Politics. She currently serves as UC Irvine’s Student Ambassador for the University of California Advocacy Network, and has previously served as the Legislative Coordinator for the Center for Law and Military Policy researching military sexual trauma. In addition to her involvement with the Political Violence Lab, Sarah enjoys film photography and
learning Arabic.

trishia lim

Trishia (‘21) is from Anaheim, California. After earning her BA in Political Science at the University of California, Davis, she accepted a position at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. Informed by her lived experiences as a child of immigrants, a woman of color, and now a first-generation college graduate, she is interested in exploring the intersection between academic research and policy-making to better understand the challenges and opportunities that large-scale migration presents. Trishia will begin her graduate studies at the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy this upcoming fall.

xavier liu

Xavier Liu ('21) hails from San Jose, California and is currently a Senior at the University of California, Berkeley studying Political Science and Philosophy. He specializes in both Comparative and American Politics, and is extremely interested studying the impliations of U.S. foreign policy abroad, especially in the context of Hong Kong and Taiwan. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, Xavier coaches speech and debate at his high school alma mater where he has coached numerous State Qualifiers and have been commended as the Alumni of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year. After gradutating, he plans to head to Law School to study constitutional law.

claudia loomis

Claudia Loomis is from Angels Camp, California and finished their B.A. in Political Science at the University of California, Merced in 2022. Their political science roots are in domestic policy, having attended the American Legion Auxiliary's Girls State and Girls Nation programs as a California delegate in 2017. Having discovered a newfound interest in the international sphere, Claudia is interning with the lab prior to submitting PhD applications this fall. In their free time, Claudia enjoys watching Jeopardy! nightly, volunteering at ALA Girls State programs across the country, and snuggling with their cats.

yasmine lunar

Yasmine Lunar is a 4th year originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. As a Political Science major at the University of California, Merced with an emphasis on International and American Politics. She plans to pursue a law degree following graduation. She enjoys her time in the lab, hoping to use her experience at a Political Violence Researcher to help her excel her understanding of the importance and value of her future work in International Law.

jose lopez

Jose Lopez ('21) graduated from the University of California, Merced and double majored in Political Science and Sociology. In addition to his work with the Political Violence Lab, Jose was the president of the UC Merced Pre-Law Society and elected External Vice-President for the Associated Student Body. During his gap year, Jose was team leader for City Year Los Angeles, a non-profit organization dedicated to help K-12 students to increase graduation and retention rates. Now, Jose will be starting law school at the University of California, Irvine School of Law in Fall of 2023.

meara maccabee

Meara Maccabee is from Columbus, Ohio. In June 2020, she graduated from Dartmouth College, where she studied Government and Middle Eastern Studies. She graduated from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in May 2023 and is pursuing a career in public defense.

Daniel Maciel is from Downey, California, and is a graduating senior at the University of California, Irvine. He studies Political Science and has a focus on Comparative Politics and government actions on the international level. He is a program coordinator for the Campus Representatives Program at UC Irvine and participates in the UCDC academic internship program. In his free time, Daniel loves playing the guitar and the piano and going to the beach to surf or to the mountains to snowboard. He is interested in working for Washington D.C. after graduating.

krystle malixi

Krystle Malixi ('23) is from El Dorado Hills, California. She is a senior at the University of California, San Diego where she is studying Political Science - Data Analytics. In school, she is a competitor for the UCSD Moot Court team and outside of school, she is the student representative for JusticeCorps. At the Political Violence Lab, Krystle worked in the Qualtrics Team researching international events and developing surveys for policymakers, scholars, and U.S. residents. Krystle plans on attending law school after graduating from UCSD. In her free time, she enjoys sharing a meal with family and friends, travelling, dancing, and playing the piano.

mayra maciel

Mayra Maciel ('23) is from Stockton, California. She is a graduate at the University of California, Davis. She has her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. Mayra has participated in her University’s Honors Program and received a departmental citation from the Political Science Department. She has had the opportunity to graduate with her B.A. in three years. During her time in the Political Violence Lab, Mayra collaborated with the Qualtrics Team to research international events and develop surveys for policymakers, scholars, and U.S. residents. Mayra is working as a paralegal in an employment law firm. She enjoys flower pressings and a good T.V. show in her free time.

jack manly

Jack Manly ('25) is from Poway, California. He is currently entering his third year at the University of California, Davis pursuing a degree in history with an emphasis on 20th-century warfare and a minor in war-peace studies. Outside of working with the Political Violence Lab, Jack is a member of the UC Davis Model United Nations team, as well as the UC Davis Marching and Concert Bands. Post-graduation, Jack plans to pursue a master's and Ph.D. in history before becoming a professor of history at a four-year university.

karina martinez

Karina Martinez (’19) is currently a Brent Scowcroft Award Fellow with the Aspen Strategy Group at the Aspen Institute. She received her B.A. with a double major in Government and Chinese Language & Culture from Dartmouth College in 2019. At Dartmouth, she was a member of the varsity women’s rugby team, an editor for the undergraduate journal of international affairs, a member of Epsilon Kappa Theta sorority, and a research assistant with the PVL.  In 2021, she attended the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC. While earning her master’s degree at SIS, she focused on U.S. foreign policy and national security, and worked as a graduate teaching and research assistant from 2021 to 2022. For her capstone project, she contributed to a group report and presentation for the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research that identified the sources and methods of terrorist financing for Sunni-aligned groups, as well as country-specific anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing efforts in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. She is originally from Tucson, AZ.

brian mccarthy

Brian McCarthy is from North Hills, California. Brian is a fourth year Political Science major and History minor at the University of California, Los Angeles. Since January 2022, Brian has been with the lab as member of the Determinants of Displacement team, where he researches border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on refugee movement. Brian's goal is to graduate from UCLA and pursue a career in international politics with the State Department.

Nick Meshcheryakov

colby mathe

Colby Mathe is a fourth year undergraduate student of Political Science at the University of California, Merced. After graduating with his B.A., Colby hopes to pursue a PhD in Political Science or a closely related field.

jack mclean

Jack McLean ('21) is from Belmont, CA. At University of California Santa Barbara, he is pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, he is the President of the UCSB Men’s Club Soccer team and a member of the Sport Club Executive Council where he helps manage the entire UCSB Sport Club budget. After college, he plans to work in public service, government, or national security. He is interested in diplomacy and international relations. In his free time, he plays soccer, enjoys the beach, and spends time with friends.

ayla mouchawar

Nick Meshcheryakov (‘25) is an undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine, double majoring in Political Science and Economics. He hopes to pursue a PhD in Political Science after graduation, and eventually conduct his own research. At UCI, Nick is a member of the club hockey team and is a Peer Consultant with the School of Social Sciences. Outside of school, Nick enjoys reading and spending time with friends.

kieko paman

Kieko Paman just graduated from UC Irvine with degrees in Political Science and International Studies. He is from San Diego and wants to ideally pursue a career working in either law or military intelligence. He hopes to attend law school in the future.

Ayla Mouchawar ('23) is from Santa Clarita, California. She attended the University of California, Davis where she graduated with a BA in Political Science with a Minor in Communications. At UCD, Ayla participated in the UC Center Sacramento program and interned at the office of Congresswoman Doris Matsui. After her time with the Political Violence Lab, she will be working in Los Angeles during a gap year while applying to law school.

phoebe pham

Phoebe Pham (’21) is from Honolulu, Hawaii but grew up in Japan. She is double-majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Beyond the Political Violence Lab, Phoebe's interests include Asia-Pacific relations and American Military Strategy. She has been an active director at the Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Department of Berkeley's Student Government, Additionally, she is a member of Berkeley’s Legal Studies Association, bridges Transfer Coalition, and John Quincy Adams Society. Most recently, she has conducted a project on Grayzone Warfare and Deterrence against China. Post-graduation, Phoebe's goal is to work on research in foreign policy before attending graduate school.

Courtney Quach (‘23) studies Sociology at the University of California, Irvine. Her academic and professional goals include pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and ultimately reforming K-12 education policy via research at a think tank institution. Her areas of research interests include bridging the racial/ethnic academic achievement gap, increasing educational opportunities for historically underrepresented and disadvantaged communities, and supporting the multifaceted development of students.

Rachel is a Las Vegas native in her third-year at UC Berkeley studying comparative politics and public policy. On campus, she competes with Cal's mock trial team, writes for the Daily Californian, and works as a political science research assistant. In her spare time, she loves to listen to music and podcasts. After graduation, Rachel hopes to attend law school to pursue a career in international human rights law.

Dylan ('23) is from San Diego, California. He is majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Political Science at the University of California, Davis. He is a member of the Effective Altruism club at his university where he enjoys discussing and researching the scientific and philosophical challenges around the question of how to do the most good, whether through efficacious philanthropy or otherwise. In his free time, he also enjoys reading and listening to podcasts or music.

alejandro robles

Shawn Robbins (‘24) is a third-year Quantitative Economics and Sociology student at UC Irvine who is very passionate about social justice issues and non-profit work. Planning to pursue a master's degree in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics.

juan jose rodriguez jr.

Alejandro Robles is from Los Angeles, and has completed five Associate's degrees within the region, at Rio Hondo College. Three general studies degrees, and the other two being double majors in Political Science and Philosophy. Where he as well served within multiple roles on the campus' student government and representing the college. Alejandro is now weeks away from graduating with his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Political Science, International Relations, and with a minor in Philosophy at University of California, San Diego. After graduation Alejandro expects to stay in Washington D.C., working for a couple of gap years, before applying for Officer Candidate School with either the Navy or Marine Corps. After serving, he is looking towards completing a Master's degree in either International Security or another type of International Politics focus.

daniel romero

Daniel Romero is from San Jose, California, and currently resides in Davis, California. He is a senior at the University of California, Davis, majoring in Computer Science Engineering and Political Science - Public Service. He enlisted in the US Army as an infantryman in 2010, before joining Special Operations in 2018. Outside of his military career, he has worked in finance as a financial advisor, a handful of startups as an engineer and marketer, a property manager, a personal trainer, a store manager for a nutrition shop, and is now pursuing a career in politics - with an interest in national security and lobbying. He spends his free time competing in powerlifting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, spending time with his family, and rewatching The Office.

Juan Jose Rodriguez Jr. ('23) is from Baldwin Park, California and has recently graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. Juan was part of the “Media Coverage Bias affects gov't response to conflicts” project. Here he interviewed journalists, and compiled data sets to form a research paper . Juan plans to pursue a career either in public policy, international relations, or public relations. As well, he hopes to apply for a graduate program in international relations at London School of Economics and Political Science. Outside of academia Juan enjoys the beach, plays football and basketball, as well as being an avid gym goer.

milo rudman

Milo (‘23) is from Santa Cruz, and is a fourth year Political Science major at UC Davis. His academic focuses are primarily in International Relations and Comparative Politics. Outside of class, Milo can be found participating in mock trial and Jewish life on campus. He plans on attending law school after graduating, but not before taking a gap year to explore the world.

christopher rybus

Chris ('21) is from Newport Beach, California. He is a senior at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in History. After graduation, Chris plans on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in academia researching China's interests in developing economies. He was accepted into Johns Hopkins SAIS for its Master of Arts in International Relations. Outside of academics, Chris enjoys running and keeping up with the NFL and NBA.

Hannah SANDERS

Hannah Sanders (’24) is from San Diego, California. She is a senior at University of California, Davis studying Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning with a concentration in City & Regional Planning. Hannah has been highly involved with the coding efforts of the lab including data and spatial analysis. In Davis, she serves as the Vice President of Chapter Programming and Development for the Delta Delta Delta organization. After graduating, Hannah plans to pursue a geospatial data analytics or environmental law program.

jazmin santos-perez

Ulises Sanchez

Ulises Sanchez is from Modesto, California. Currently, he is a second- year student studying Political Science at the University of California, Merced with emphasises in Pre-Law and American Politics. In addition to working at the Political Violence Lab, he was also a research assistant at the Political Science Lab at UC Merced. At Merced he is an active member of the Merced Pre-Law Society and Bobcat Mock Trial. In his free time he likes to listen to music, spend time with friends and family, and pet his cats. Upon graduation, Ulises hopes to pursue either Law School or a PhD in Political Science.

ghassan samara

Ghassan Samara (‘21) is from Bakersfield, California. He is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics at the University of California, Merced. Outside of the lab, he participates in Model United Nations and is a clerk for his university’s law clinic. In his spare time, he surfs and discusses philosophy. Following graduation, he plans on serving in the NCCC then pursuing a law degree. Ghassan hopes to one day pursue a career doing international rights advocacy and international law.

lekha sapers

Jazmin ('20) is from Fresno, California. She is currently attending the University of California, Merced where she is pursuing a BA in Economics with a minor in Political Violence. The summer of 2020 she is proud to be interning for the Political Violence Lab as well as for Cyril Lawrence Inc. After graduation, she plans on attending law school and pursuing a career in the civil rights or immigration field. In her free time, Jazmin enjoys painting, watching documentaries and learning from others around her.

ching sergeant

Ching Sergeant ('24) is from Riverside, California, currently attending the University of California, Irvine where she is majoring in Criminology, Law and Society, and minoring in Political Science and Chinese Studies. She is a competitor on the UCI Collegiate Mock Trial Team where she serves as the Tournament Director. She is also a member of the UCI chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-Law Fraternity International where she serves as the Secretary. Ching plans to attend Law School after graduating from UCI, pursuing a career in Criminal or Constitutional Law.

Lekha Sapers is a rising junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is currently studying Film + Global Studies, as well as minoring in earth science. Originally from Jamestown, Rhode Island, she made the cross-country trek to sail on UCSB's competitive team, currently ranked 14th in the country. Lekha also works for KCSB FM 91.9, UCSB's independent, student-run radio station. After graduating, Lekha hopes to go to law school or to pursue media studies further in an academic setting.

mary shamon

Mary is currently a third year Political Science major at the University of California, Santa Cruz with an intended graduation date of June 2022. Currently holding a research position at the Political Violence Lab based in Washington D.C. She has previous experience as a volunteer political campaigner as well as experience in the healthcare policy industry. After receiving her BA in politics she plans to pursue her interest in international relations through law school and continue interning for political organizations focused on policy.

rachel spetter-goldstein

Rachel Spetter-Goldstein is a rising senior at George Washington University where she studies Political Science with a minor in Sociology. She is interested in US Public Policy mostly relating to domestic affairs. Rachel has previously interned for the Massachusetts State Senate and criminal defense attorneys in Boston. Post grad she plans to stay in DC to work for a couple years (probably for the government or a nonprofit) before attending law school.

Danielle Startsev is from Truckee, California. In the midst of her third year at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Danielle has declared a Political Science major. At UCSB, Danielle works for the on-campus greenhouse and is involved with organizations such as Alpha Chi Omega and Santa Barbara Hillel. Danielle hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in policy making or international relations. In her free time, Danielle enjoys swimming in the ocean, hiking, her two dogs, spending quality time with friends, and painting.

Ray Sun (’23) is a senior at University of California, Santa Barbara. She is pursuing a Philosophy major with a concentration in Ethics and Public Policy, with minors in Chinese and Spatial Studies. Outside of class, she has served as Chief of Staff of UCSB’s Model United Nations team.

Grace Sylvester (‘20) is from Coronado, California. She is in her final quarter at the University of California, Santa Cruz where she will graduate with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Linguistics. With a passion for the Supreme Court and upholding the law, she will be pursuing her law degree this upcoming fall back in her home town of San Diego and then plans on going into Naval Law through Officer Candidate School. When not focused on academics, Grace enjoys exploring new cities, expanding her knowledge of latte art, meeting new people, and going to the beach with her dog, Scout.

Job Tam ('23) is from Hong Kong, currently studying International Relations and History at the University of California, Davis. He specializes in studying foreign policy and modern history issues related specifically to East Asia. In addition to the Political Violence Lab, Job enjoys working as a bus driver serving students and residents in Davis. In his free time, Job likes to go biking, hiking, and exploring museums and cultural landmarks.

cassidy tao

Cassidy Tao (‘21) is a third year student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He will be graduating this summer with a BA in mathematics, his thesis was on operations research and game theory. In addition to his time working with the Political Violence Lab, he served as a judge’s intern in the Santa Cruz Superior Courthouse and currently works as a paid intern to the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. After graduation, Cassidy is intending to study international relations and work for the federal government. He is particularly interested in the intersection of mathematics, policy, and national security.

Marie ('19) is from Lebanon but grew up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She attended University of California, Irvine where she graduated with honors in Political Science with a minor in International Studies while focusing on the Middle East. Outside of the Political Violence Lab, Marie loves exploring used bookstores, discovering underground music and watching international soccer. After graduation, Marie will focus on research about the Middle East before attending law school where she eventually wants to pursue a career as a human rights lawyer.

Jira Trinetkamol ('23) is an international student from Bangkok, Thailand. He is a senior at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) -- majoring in Political Science and Economics with minors in Urban & Regional Planning and Management. At UCI he has been a Captain and a Tournament Director of the Collegiate Mock Trial Team. He's served as an commissioner and senator in UCI's student government, and he was recently named a Strauss Scholar! Outside of school, Jira enjoys going to the gym, cooking, and reading. Jira is passionate about socio-economic development and international security in his home country and hopes to pursue a Masters in Public Policy or Master in Public Administration after he graduates from UCI.

Aishvari Trivedi (‘24) is a research intern at the Political Violence Lab and is pursuing a double major in political science and financial math/statistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. On campus, she is involved with 180 Degrees Consulting, student government, the school newspaper The Daily Nexus, and the university’s Bollywood-fusion dance team. In her spare time, she loves to dancing, photography, and listening to podcasts. Upon graduation, Aishvari aspires to break into the political realm through public sector consulting or research.

Alyssa Velasquez ('22) is from Bell Gardens, California. She is a Junior at the University of California, Irvine and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, Law & Society with a minor in Biological Sciences. She hopes to attend graduate school and is striving for a career centered around the criminal justice system and its reform. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and playing sports.

alexandra wallace

Alexandra Wallace (‘23) is from the Bay Area, California. She is a recent graduate from the University of California, Irvine where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a second B.A. in Criminology, Law & Society. At UCI she was involved in the Anteater Civil Liberties Union, UCI Sunrise Movement, and the Delta Phi chapter of Delta Gamma. Last Summer she worked with the Political Violence Lab for three months on multiple projects. Since her time at the lab, Alexandra has participated in undergraduate research for The National Registry of Exonerations. Alexandra is extremely passionate about criminal justice reform and hopes to pursue this interest more thoroughly by applying to law school this Fall.

chenyue xie

Chenyue (‘22) is an International student from Xi’an, China. She is double major in Statistics and Japanese at UC Davis. She studied abroad at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan during her study abroad in the US. She was an actor in the Chinese Drama Club at UC Davis, also a member of UC Davis Archery team. She was certified as a personal trainer by American Council on Exercise. Setting aside languages and sports, she plans on going to graduate school for Business Analysis and pursue a career in an Investment Bank basically to earn enough to learn more language and sports.

eileen yu

Eileen Yu (‘25) is a rising junior pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Biology at the University of California, Irvine. At UCI, Eileen serves as the Head Delegate of Model United Nations at UCI, as well as being involved in other student organizations. Eileen is passionate about advocating for feminist and LGBTQ+ rights issues, and they are interested in understanding how to mitigate healthcare disparities for women of color and transgender individuals. Outside of school, Eileen loves to read, do nail art, research about fashion history, and visit museums.

william white

William ('21) is from Ventura, California. He is a senior at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is majoring in History. At the National Parliamentary Debate Association national championship, he made it to the semi-final elimination round as the 2nd top speaker in the nation. William defended advocacies surrounding anything ranging from local action influenced by critical race theory to how the United States could change its healthcare policy. After graduation, he plans on applying to law school. William is interested in immigration law and has written law journal articles about federal-level reform that confirmed his interests.

margaret you

Margaret You ('23) graduated from University of California - Irvine majoring in Criminology, Law, and Society. With a passion in the legal field, Margaret is interested in pursuing a career in legal research, law enforcement, and policy-making. Life's surprises as her guide, Margaret strives to make a positive difference in every meaningful encounter she experiences.

iris yuh

Iris Yuh is from Cupertino, California and is a research intern in the Shadow Topics team at PVL. A rising senior at UCSB, she is double majoring in economics and environmental studies, with a minor in music. Iris is very involved in campus organizations, and has served on the officer team for the Taiwanese American Student Association, Crescendo for a Cause, and Alpha Sigma Kappa–Women and Non-binary students in Technical Studies. She was awarded the 2023 Duval Scholarship and Jeffrey Robert Frum Scholarship for academic achievement as a double major in Economics and Environmental Studies and for giving back to the campus and community. Recently, Iris completed her semester study abroad program at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. In the future, Iris hopes to attend graduate school to pursue studying agricultural environmental economic policy to promote sustainable and equitable legislation. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, reading, cooking, and biking.

Claire Zhao (’21) is from Beijing, China. She is a senior honor student at the University of California, Los Angeles, double-majoring in Global Studies and Economics. Interested in International Relations and Foreign Affairs, her research experience mostly focused on the U.S.’ foreign policies in the Asia Pacific region, including investigations in the U.S.-China mega-FTA competition for regional leadership as well as examinations of the hedging strategies employed by middle-power countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. Post-graduation, Claire plans to keep on pursuing her interests in International Relations and Political Economy in graduate school and hopes to work in nonprofit organizations in the future.

Ian is from Sunnyvale, CA. He is a graduate student at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business majoring in Management. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 2021 with a degree in Political Science. At Cal, he researched the US-China trade conflicts and the Conservative movements in the US in the 1980s. After receiving his Master’s degree, he wants to be a consultant focusing on corporate strategy and business management. He enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and hiking at parks in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Washington, DC area.