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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)