B.A. Psychology and Political Science, University of North Alabama, 2018

M.A. Political Science, Unviersity of Kentucky, 2021

I am a fifth year Political Science Ph.D. Candidate and teaching assistant with a major focus in International Relations and minor in Political Behavior. Broadly speaking, my research interest is centered around political violence against civilians. Specifically, I focus on how armed group structure impacts the propensity to commit violence against civilians. Subsequently, I am also interested in how political violence against civilians impacts attitudes and behavior. 

The focus of my dissertation is how rebel group composition impacts the group's behavior. I examine how the recruitment and prevalence of women and girls influence the rebel groups' proclivity to commit violence against civilians. My research also examines how the presence of private military contractors in armed conflict influences armed forces' use of sexual violence during war. Some of my other work focuses on the effects of political violence by exploring how exposure to civilian killings shapes political attitudes and behavior such as support for human rights.

Aside from my research, I have served as a teaching assistant and instructor for a variety of courses. I have been a Teaching Assistant for PS 230: Introduction to International Relations and PS 101: Introduction to American Government. In addition, I have been a solo instructor for PS 230: Introduction to International Relations, PS 310: Contemporary Global Conflicts, and PS 101: Introduction to American Government, and PS 372: Introduction to Political Analysis.

I am a former recipient of the Georgia Davis Powers Graduate Fellowship through the Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women.