I am a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the University of California, Merced where I study Latino Politics. I teach an undergraduate course on Latino Politics in the U.S. (POLI 190-03) and my research focuses on understanding how institutions (broadly defined) affect Latino political behavior and attitudes. This includes election timing, co-ethnic endorsements, language, and community organizations. 

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My dissertation, "Making the Latino Vote: Latino Organizations and Latino Voter Turnout and Cohesion" explores how local-level Latino community organizations increase Latino voter turnout and cohesion through the provision of mobilizing resources and building a sense of community among Latinos. To test my theory I have created a unique dataset of Latino organizations using the Internal Revenue Services' Exempt Organizations Business Master File.

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My co-authored work has been published in the Journal of Urban Affairs and the California Journal of Politics and Policy. I have also worked at the Urban Policy Lab at UC Merced where I have participated in research on racial segregation in the Bay Area of California as part of a grant from the Bay Area Association of Governments.