My research lies at the intersection of forced migration, humanitarianism, gender and development. I have over ten years of experience in conducting ethnographic research with indigenous Mayan refugees from Guatemala. My work examines their incorporation in Mexico’s southernmost border state of Chiapas and the U.S.
Currently, I study the legal barriers to naturalization and citizenship of this population following their return or deportation from the U.S. to Mexico. Findings from this study will be used to shape policies that enable the legalization of stateless migrants who fled the Guatemalan military conflict (1954-1996) and now reside in Mexico.
I am also engaged in a new research project that will examine the health and social service needs of unaccompanied migrant youth in Oakland, California.
Experience
2016–present
Assistant Professor, Binghamton University
2015–2016
Assistant Professor, DePauw University
2012–2014
Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Education
2017
National Institutes of Health, National Research Mentoring Network - P3, University of Minnesota, Fellow
2016
National Institutes of Health, National Research Mentoring Network - Steps Toward Academic Research (NRMN STAR), University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fellow
2016
Health Equity Leadership Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Fellow
2016
Health Equity Leadership Institute (HELI), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Fellow
2007
Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, Visiting Fellow
2006
Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, Chiapas, Mexico, Estudiante Huésped
2004
Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, Chiapas, Mexico, Estudiante Huésped
Publications
2017
Health Coverage Expansion for the Undocumented and Potential Impacts for Unaccompanied Migrant Youth and Families in California, Migration and Health Series Report, Health Initiative of the Americas, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, UC-Mexico Initiative, Health Working group, Consejo Nacional de Población (CONAPO)
2015
Gender Equality, Community Divisions and Autonomy: The Prospera Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Chiapas, Mexico, Current Sociology
2012
Asylum: The Case of Guatemalan Refugees in Mexico, In, Asylum: 20th Century Case Studies
2007
Migration Politics and Human Rights: Redefining the Camera as Collaborative Technology in Transnational Forced Migrant Communities, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society
Grants and Contracts
2017
Immigrant minors’ access to care at a School Based Health Clinic
Role:
Co-Principle Investigator
Funding Source:
Binghamton University
2012
Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship
Role:
Postdoctoral Fellow
Funding Source:
University of California
2007
Humanities/Social Sciences Research Grant
Role:
Principle Investigator
Funding Source:
University of California, Santa Barbara
2006
Interdisciplinary Humanities Center (IHC) Collaborative Grant
Role:
Principle Investigator
Funding Source:
University of California, Santa Barbara
2005
Dissertation Fellow
Role:
Principle Investigator
Funding Source:
University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States
Professional Memberships
Health Equity Leadership Institute (HELI)
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Connections Program
American Anthropological Association
American Sociological Association
Latin American Studies Association
Society for Applied Anthropology
Honours
Latin American Studies Association Mexico Section Social Sciences Article Award (2016), Consortium for Faculty Diversity Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015), National Center for Institutional Diversity, Exemplary Diversity Scholar, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (2014), UC Chancellors Postdoctoral Fellow (2012-2014), Latin American Studies Association Latina/o Studies Section Article Award (2009)