I received my PhD in Political Science from the University of Kentucky in 2015.  My dissertation focused on the geography of terrorism. I am interested in the multi-faceted role of geography and how it affects grievances, terrorism, and counterterrorism. I have a regional interest in South Asia, but a broad interest in terrorism, gender, Islamic radicalism, the Islamic world, and geography. 

I have taught several courses including Intro. to Politics,  Comparative Politics, World Politics, Culture and Politics of the Developing World, upper level specialized courses on ISIS and terrorism in the Islamic world,  terrorism & political violence, the politics of South Asia, and research methods (qualitative and quantitative).  My teaching experience has earned me the coveted UK Arts and Sciences outstanding teaching assistant award and the Malcolm Jewell Award for Outstanding Graduate Student. 

Prior to starting my PhD I worked as an Anti-Money Laundering Analyst at UBS bank in Stamford CT. I also worked as an English teacher in Nanping, Fujian Province, China. I have also interned for the Countering Violent Extremism initiative at the East-West Institute in New York City.