I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Government (SPA) at American University. I am interested in colonial policies and their influence on human capital in former colonies, and colonial/post-colonial state building and capacity. I am current working on a book manuscript, tentatively titled: "Colonial Inclusivity: Education, Historical  State Building, and Contemporary State Capacity".

My other teaching and research interests include East and Southeast Asian politics, environmental policy and politics in developing countries, the management of riparian rights claims, the effectiveness of river basin organizations, and water related conflicts. 

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Previously, I worked for the University of Missouri's Division of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity as graduate assistant to the Executive Director of Access and Development in the implementation of intervention programs along the continuum of initial interest in graduate school to successful entrance into academia or industry. This included co-spearheading the creation of a Center for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education. 

I also served as President of the Association of Black Graduate and Professional Students (ABGPS), an advocacy organization that aims to help support, retain, and foster success for graduate and professional students of color through a professionalization series, on and off campus community engagement, scholarship, networking mixers, and social hours.

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