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
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2016–presentAssistant Professor, Binghamton University
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2015–2016Assistant Professor, DePauw University
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2012–2014Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA
Education
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2017National Institutes of Health, National Research Mentoring Network - P3, University of Minnesota, Fellow
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2016National Institutes of Health, National Research Mentoring Network - Steps Toward Academic Research (NRMN STAR), University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fellow
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2016Health Equity Leadership Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Fellow
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2016Health Equity Leadership Institute (HELI), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Fellow
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2007Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, Visiting Fellow
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2006Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, Chiapas, Mexico, Estudiante Huésped
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2004Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, Chiapas, Mexico, Estudiante Huésped
Publications
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2017Health 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)
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2015Gender Equality, Community Divisions and Autonomy: The Prospera Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Chiapas, Mexico, Current Sociology
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2012Asylum: The Case of Guatemalan Refugees in Mexico, In, Asylum: 20th Century Case Studies
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2007Migration 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
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2017Immigrant minors’ access to care at a School Based Health Clinic
- Role:
- Co-Principle Investigator
- Funding Source:
- Binghamton University
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2012Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Role:
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Funding Source:
- University of California
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2007Humanities/Social Sciences Research Grant
- Role:
- Principle Investigator
- Funding Source:
- University of California, Santa Barbara
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2006Interdisciplinary Humanities Center (IHC) Collaborative Grant
- Role:
- Principle Investigator
- Funding Source:
- University of California, Santa Barbara
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2005Dissertation 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)
- Buffalo, NY (USA)
- Website
- Article Feed
- Oscargil@buffalo.edu
- Joined
