I'm a political scientist studying representation, leadership, institutions, and gender. 

I'm a first-generation college graduate who grew up in the suburbs of Houston, TX. I earned both my B.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Texas A&M University. 

I am currently an Associate Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State University, where I am part of an interdisciplinary community of political scientists, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and communication scholars. 

My work is motivated by a desire to understand and advance women's political representation and gender equality around the world. I study the institutional and societal barriers that shape women's representation in elected and bureaucratic offices—from electoral rules and political parties to gender stereotypes—as well as how women's representation, in turn, influences political outcomes, public attitudes, and democratic governance. Much of this research centers on Latin America and local governments, where decisions about public services and resource allocation can have an immediate impact on people's lives, and where I examine how political institutions and public organizations shape representation, leadership, and governance. I draw on a range of methods, including cross-national statistical analysis, experiments, surveys, and original data collection. 

My research demonstrates that women's representation matters not only because it advances equality, but also because it shapes how governments work. Across countries and levels of government, I've found that increasing women's representation can influence public policy, improve opportunities for women, and shape how citizens evaluate political leaders and democratic institutions. By studying the intersection of politics and public management, I seek to better understand how representation influences the decisions governments make and the services they deliver. 

I am interested in collaborating with researchers, nonprofits, public-sector organizations, and corporations to apply academic research to real-world policy and organizational challenges. 

When I'm not working, you can usually find me writing in a local coffee shop or walking the neighborhood with my family when the temps are below 105 in sunny Phoenix. I enjoy a good book, traveling, discovering new restaurants, and catching up with friends over a glass of wine. 

Please reach out if you share an interest in gender equality, political representation, public organizations, democracy, or Latin America. I'd love to connect!