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Gunboat Capitalism

Professor Graham

Team Lead: Ryan Barr

THE SPEC LAB

Undergraduate Research Team Leads

Team Lead: Powersharing

Ashley Abadeer is a junior studying International Relations and the Global Economy with a minor in Architecture at USC. Her specific interest in the field of international relations is ensuring water security and hopes to one day help establish clear water infrastructure globally. On campus, Ashley is the speakers director for TEDxUSC, a fellow at the Global Policy Institute, and is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, USC’s international relations professional fraternity. In her free time, Ashley enjoys yoga and cooking.

Team Lead: Resource Curse

Sarah Orsborn is in her last semester studying International Relations and the Global Economy with a minor in Climate Science. Her main research interests include climate change adaptation, economic inequality, and resource governance. Sarah joined SPEC Lab in May 2018 and has led the Creative Media Team, worked on the IPE Data Resource project, and currently manages the Resource Curse project. Outside of the lab, Sarah is a member of Environmental Core and the rock climbing team, and she loves sleeping out in the desert whenever she has the chance.

Hailey Robertson

Team Lead: Resource Curse

Hailey Robertson is a senior studying Global Health with a minor in Human Security and Geointelligence. She is interested in applying data science to infectious disease epidemiology and international development. Outside of the lab, Hailey serves as the Chief of Staff for Undergraduate Student Government, Co-Chair of the Student Advisory Council for the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, and the Vice President of the Policy Debate Team. She also coaches high school debate, and in her free time enjoys baking pies and hiking. Hailey joined the SPEC Lab in January 2018, and is part of the Resource Curse team.

Team Lead: IPE

Kaitlyn King is a senior majoring in International Relations with a minor in East Asian Languages and Cultures. Her research interests are in diplomacy and human rights, with a focus on Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Outside of the lab, Kaitlyn is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, USC’s international relations professional fraternity, and is involved in research with the Near Crisis Project. In her free time, she enjoys painting and frequenting Starbucks. She joined the SPEC lab in Spring 2018.

Sumaya Hussaini

Team Lead: EiE

Sumaya Hussaini is a junior pursuing a Master of Public Diplomacy, a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in International Relations. Her research interests include foreign policy and international development. Outside of the lab, Sumaya interns for the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the UN, is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, and volunteers for Islamic Relief USA. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and spending time with her cat. Sumaya joined the SPEC Lab in January 2020.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Marie Zaragoza is a junior pursuing a degree in International Relations with an emphasis on global economics and Arabic. Her interests include international political economy, refugee crisis resolution and the Middle East. On campus, she is a research assistant with the Security and Political Economy lab where she researches the influence of power sharing institutions in shaping various educational, economic and civil liberty outcomes and is the treasurer of the USC Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team. Marie has also volunteered with the Teaching International Relations Program, where she taught a class on international political economy in a local high school. This past summer, she studied immigration in Spain, working with NGOs and private sector actors to understand the dynamics between the public and private sector to achieve social change.

Phuong Nhat Nguyen

Phuong Nhat Nguyen is a junior double major in International Relations (Global Business) and Law, History, and Culture. She's interested in adding an Environmental Studies minor. Her interests include corporate social responsibility (CSR) as well as advocacy for minorities in academic and professional environments. On campus, Phuong is a part of the active competing team for Model UN, ranked #12 in North America. She is also an intern to the Consulate of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. She speaks English, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Chinese!

Clio Klapsis is a sophomore majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Law with a minor in International Relations. Her academic interests include international law, climate change, and gender studies. Outside the lab, Clio is on the executive board of Model UN and tutors elementary school students through the ReadersPlus program at USC’s Joint Educational Project (JEP). Clio can be most frequently found at coffee shops, Trader Joe’s, and on her yoga mat. She joined the Gunboat Capitalism team at SPEC in January 2020.

Joe Jocas is a sophomore studying International Relations and double minoring in Economics and Culture, Media, & Entertainment Studies. He is part of the Resource Curse Team, in addition to being the editor-in-chief of the Southern California International Review and a student intern for the Dornsife Office of Admission. Outside of SPEC he enjoys hiking, skating, and watching other people do stand-up comedy because when he did nobody laughed. Joe joined the lab in the Spring of 2020

Zoe Peach-Riley

Zoe Peach-Riley is a sophomore pursuing a double-major in Intelligence & Cyber-Operations and Philosophy, Politics, and Law. Her primary academic interests include counterterrorism studies, power projection, and the intersections of national security and cyberspace. Zoe is also an ambassador for the Dornsife Office of Admissions, and enjoys surfing, skiing, hiking, and playing piano. She joined the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation team at SPEC in January of 2020.

Cameron Kostopoulos

Cameron Kostopoulos is a sophomore at the University of Southern California studying Film & Television Production with a minor in Future Cinema. At the SPEC Lab, Cameron uses his skills in motion graphics editing to translate academic findings to a more general audience through consumable media. Outside of SPEC, he works to reevaluate the role of media in our postmodern society, as well as push the limits of video as a medium in a modern context.

Hunter Hinson is a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and Communication. His research interests include international power projection, narrative-building for military conflict, and the role of mass media in politics. Outside of the lab, Hunter serves on the executive board of Model United Nations of Southern California, is a politics desk reporter for USC Annenberg Media, and enjoys kayaking and exploring LA with friends. Hunter joined the SPEC Lab in January 2020.

Emily Lieberman

Emily Lieberman is a Sophomore studying Political Science with a minor in Dance. She is a member of both the Education, Conflict, and Aid Allocation Team and the Creative Media Team. Outside of the lab, Emily serves on the executive board of both the USC Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team and USC Best Buddies, is a member of the USC Unruh Associates, a mentor in APASS PEER, and immensely enjoys hiking and dancing. Emily joined the SPEC lab in May 2020.

Helen Williams is a senior studying international relations and environmental studies. She is interested in science diplomacy and addressing climate change through effective law and policy. She spent her spring in Washington, D.C. as an intern at the U.S. Department of State in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. At USC, she is involved in Delta Phi Epsilon, the Global Policy Institute, and the Environmental Student Assembly. She joined the Resource Curse team at SPEC in May 2020.

Alina is a junior at USC from South Pasadena, California majoring in International Relations and minoring in Business Finance. She is apart of the USC SPEC’s Education in Emergencies team. Her academic interests include Middle East politics and human rights. In addition to SPEC, Alina is an editor for the Southern California International Review, a writer for the Daily Trojan, and enjoys listening to music and sitting in the sun.

Micaela Mengen is a sophomore studying International Relations Global Business and Environmental Studies. Her research interests are centered around weapons of mass destruction. Outside of the lab, Micaela serves on the executive board of Reggaeton Obsesión, is a member of the figure skating team and enjoys going out to explore LA with friends. Micaela joined the SPEC Lab in January 2020.

Graduate Students

SPEC Alumni