Hello!
I am a researcher at the Combating Terrorism Center and an assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the US Military Academy at West Point where I research various dimensions of Iranian support to militant groups in Iraq, Syria, and the African continent.
I received my PhD in political science from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany, SUNY. Prior to joining the CTC, I was a research manager at the Center for Policy Research at the University at Albany, SUNY. My dissertation, “Patrons of Violence: Drivers and Dimensions of State Support for Rebel Groups,” examined why states support rebel groups through network analysis and other quantitative methods. I have nearly ten years of teaching experience as an instructor of record and teaching assistant.
Prior to graduate school, I worked in human rights advocacy for three years. I received my BA in International Relations from American University in 2011.
Education
University at Albany, Rockefeller College, Albany, NY 2020, PhD in Political Science; major field: International Relations, minor fields: Comparative Politics, Quantitative Methods
University at Albany, Rockefeller College, Albany, NY 2018, Master’s of Arts in Political Science
University at Albany, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity, Albany, NY 2018, Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security
American University, School of International Service, Washington, DC 2011; Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, concentrations in International Development and the Middle East
Westwood High School, Austin, Texas 2008; International Baccalaureate Diploma; Texas Distinguished Scholars High School Diploma
Awards
William F. Murdy Award for Teaching Excellence - Department of Social Sciences, United States Military Academy (2021)
Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award - Department of Political Science, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany (2021)
Clifford C. Clogg Scholarship Recipient - Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) Summer Program, University of Michigan (Summer 2017)
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award – Department of Political Science, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany (Spring 2017)
Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award – Department of Political Science, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany (Spring 2016)