About me:
I am a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Political Science Department at Emory University. I received my PhD in Politics and Social Policy from Princeton University.
I study American political behavior, race and ethnic politics, political psychology, and political communication with a specific focus on Latino politics.
In my dissertation, titled "Misengaged, Not Disengaged: How Campaigns Persuade Latino Voters Using Economic Messaging," I address why Latino voters have not shifted towards supporting Democrats despite partisan polarization on immigration and racial issues generally. Using CMAG television ad data, I show that Latinos are disproportionately exposed to immigration messaging over other topics such as economics (e.g., jobs, inflation) and on services (e.g., healthcare, education). In three survey experiments exposing nationally representative samples of Latino voters to various campaign messages, I find that immigration rhetoric is generally more polarizing than persuasive. Meanwhile, I find that messaging on economics and social services (from either party) has greater persuasive potential. Campaigning on and enacting such policies, I argue, may be the key to addressing disengagement and alienation among Latinos.
Background:
I received my BA in Political Science with a minor in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Before then, I was born in Austin, Texas, where my parents met, and I have since lived in California, New Jersey, North Carolina, and now Georgia. My dad's family is Salvadoran and Anglo-American while my mom's is French-Canadian, and I am incredibly grateful for all of their love and support.
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my cats (and other people, I guess), playing video games, reading fantasy and science fiction, and putting my heart and soul into karaoke nights.