Visiting Scholar (June 2022-Present)

Rutgers University, Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) – Newark, NJ

Faculty Mentor Dr. Aldo Lauria-Santiago

I am currently working under the mentorship of Dr. Lauria-Santiago to finish my dissertation research, as well as actively participate in graduate seminars and CLAS programming.

Primary Researcher (2019-Present), USEU (Unión Salvadoreña de Estudiantes Universitarios) Memoria Histórica Project

Faculty Advisors Dr. Leisy Ábrego, UCLA Chicano/a & Central American Studies Department, and Dr. Steven Osuna, California State University Long Beach (CSULB) Critical Sociology Department

I have conducted more than 50 oral histories with students involved in USEU, collected materials donated by students for an online archive, and created a website that will serve as a digital repository. I also trained and mentored a team of 10 undergraduate research assistants via workshops on best practices in oral history and methods in basic transcription.

Primary Interviewer, Central Americans in Los Angeles Oral History Project (2018-2019)

UCLA Center for Oral History Research – Los Angeles, CA

I conducted oral history interviews with organizers who were actively involved in the 1980’s Central American solidarity and sanctuary movement.

Post-Production & Research Intern (2015)

Brave New Films (BNF) – Los Angeles, California

I conducted research and edited string-outs for Brave New Films, a non-profit production house that produces documentaries “to educate, influence and empower viewers to take action around issues that matters.” I worked on “Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA”, a documentary about the National Rifle Association and gun control policies in the U.S.

Research Assistant (Fall 2012)

Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Dr. Susan Lysak – Syracuse, NY

I researched and wrote a complete literature review on foundation-funded journalism for an article by Dr. Susan Lysak.

Research Assistant (Spring 2012)

University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Chicano and Chicana Studies, Dr. Leisy Abrego – Los Angeles, CA

I investigated different research topics on the Salvadoran and Central American community for Dr. Leisy Abrego’s book Sacrificing Families: Navigating Laws, Labor, and Love Across Borders.

Co-Investigator “City Neighborhood Study 2011” (2010-2011)

Columbia University, Principal Investigator Robert Shapiro, Co-Investigated by Narayani Lasala, Ernie Zavaleta, Diane Wong, Vladimir Medenica

I was a part of the design team for the City Neighborhood Study 2011, which launched an investigation across 5 of the largest metropolitan cities in the United States. The purpose of the study is to compare and contrast the different political attitudes and racial dynamics of different ethnic groups across cities.

Undergraduate Research Fellow (2010-2012)

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program, University of California, Los Angeles

Faculty Advisors Dr. Mark Sawyer and Dr. Raymond Rocco, Department of Political Science

I participated in various research seminars designed to help undergraduate students develop their research skills. I also continued to work on my senior thesis with various faculty mentors.

Undergraduate Researcher and Data Collection Research Assistant (2010)

Columbia University, Department of Political Science, Leadership Alliance

Faculty Mentor Robert Shapiro, Columbia University, Department of Political Science

I worked with Professor Robert Shapiro on a quantitative study of the development of political consciousness of Salvadoran youth involved in the Salvadoran student movement using various research methodologies. I conducted a survey poll (N=133), ran data regression using STATA, and analyzed my data. I presented my results at various conferences across the U.S. I also assisted my graduate student mentor in collecting data across the city of New York through survey polling and interviewing community members.

Undergraduate Researcher (2010)

Advanced Academic Placement Junior Scholars Program, University of California, Los Angeles

Faculty Mentor Peter McLaren, UCLA, Department of Education

I worked with Professor Peter McLaren and conducted a historical literature review on the Salvadoran movement, which I presented at various conferences.

Diversity Scholar/Researcher (2009)

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Charlottesville Virginia

Faculty Mentor Richard Farkas, DePaul University, Department of Political Science

I conducted an ethnographic research study with the help of Professor Richard Farksas of youth perspectives across 7 different countries. My final product was a small book with my findings.