Gunboat Capitalism
Professor Graham
Team Lead: Ryan Barr
THE Security and Political economy LAB
REU
ABOUT
The SPEC Lab hosts an 8-week intensive research training program for non-USC undergraduates. The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program includes training in research methods and work as a research assistant on faculty-led projects related to the political economy of security. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation and USC Dornsife.
Summer 2020 (Remote) REU Undergraduate Research Assistants
Clayton Strauch
Clayton is a junior at Saint Louis University studying computer and data science with minors in international studies and mathematics. In SPEC, he researches on the IPE/Talus team and his main research interests are global development and globalization. Outside of the lab, Clayton enjoys reading, traveling, and studying foreign languages. Clayton joined the lab summer 2020 as part of the REU program.
Bethany Thompson
Bethany Thompson joined the Summer 2020 REU as a rising senior and is a research assistant for Dr. Megan Becker's resource curse replication project. She is majoring in International Studies and minoring in International Economics and Spanish at California State University, Long Beach. Her research interests include migration from Asia to Latin America and the intersection of security and emerging technology. Outside of research, she enjoys nurturing her plant collection and exploring her creativity through visual and performance art.
Zachary Johnson
Zachary Johnson is a Junior at Iowa State University majoring in Political Science, Data Science, and Statistics. His main research interests surround American elections and American voting behavior but he is enjoying getting a change of pace in studying comparative politics and international relations in the lab. Outside of the lab Zachary is a member of ISU’s marching band, is a student ambassador for the Andrew Goodman Foundation, and is a Community Advisor for ISU’s dept. of residence. Zack joined the lab in the summer of 2020 and is a member of the IPE/Data Resource Team.
Ari Kelo
Ari Kelo is a rising junior majoring in Theatre, Political Science, and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a Research Assistant for Dr. Becker's resource curse replication project, Ari is exploring interests in international relations, civil conflict, and the intersection of climate and political issues. Ari also enjoys researching political psychology, having done an independent research project on how sleep sensitivity influences political ideology. Outside of research, Ari participates in the comedy and theatre scenes on campus, alongside working as an environmental journalist and advocating for student issues through the Student Government. Ari joined the SPEC Lab as an REU student for Summer 2020.
Bethany Ford
Bethany Ford is a rising senior majoring in Economics and International Studies at Washington College. Her research interests are in female financial inclusion and accessibility, particularly in South/Southeast Asia. She’s working on the Resource Curse project at SPEC this summer. Outside of school, she’s a volunteer service puppy raiser with Fidos for Freedom, and loves to cook and bake!
Sara Lowe
Sara Lowe is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin double-majoring in International Relations and Global Studies and Government. She is currently on the Education in Emergencies team at SPEC and studies patterns of education aid in Sub-Saharan Africa. She’s incredibly interested in international development, particularly in the study of good governance, democracy, and women's economic development. Sara works as a team lead at the Innovations for Peace and Development (IPD) lab at UT, where she studies classifications of vulnerability in research. In her spare time, Sara loves singing with her a cappella group, listening to musicals, consuming far more coffee than the human body should be able to handle, and is always on the hunt for the best boba in town.
Anahi Rodriguez
Anahi Rodriguez is a sophomore studying Political Science and Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently working with the SPEC lab's IPE/Taulus team.
Deven Clark
Deven Clark is a junior studying Economics, World Economy & Business, and Political Science at The Ohio State University with a minor in Japanese. He is a REU student working for the SPEC lab in the 2020 summer on the Talus and IPE Data Resource team. Outside of the lab, Deven enjoys volunteering, reading, and all kinds of art.
Minela Ikanovic
Minela Ikanovic is majoring in Ethics and Public Policy with a specialization in Political Science, and a minor in rhetoric and persuasion. She also serves as an Honors Ambassador. After graduation she plans to work. Minela believes the best part about the REU program is the friendships you make and always having someone cheering for you in your corner.
Akhil Thadani
Akhil Thadani is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University where he majored in political science and double minored in economics and philosophy. Born in India, he spent the majority of his life in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to Texas during high school. He is currently a research intern in the Economics Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies working at the intersection of technology, economic, and security policy. He spent his Summer 2020 SPEC REU working as a research assistant for the Gunboat Capitalism team. His past experiences have involved working at the House Judiciary Committee and at a private law firm. In his free time he enjoys drawing and has previously had his work featured in museums and exhibits.
Summer 2021 (Remote) REU Undergraduate Research Assistants
Spencer Dee
Spencer Dee is a sophomore studying International Relations and East Asian Area Studies at the University of Southern California. His research interests currently include conflict resolution, humanitarian crises, democratic governance and international law. Outside of the SPEC Lab, he enjoys spending time watching movies with family and friends. He joined the Resource Curse team at the SPEC Lab in June 2021.
Maya Schroder
Maya Schroder is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she studies political science and economics with a minor in music. At the SPEC Lab, she is a research assistant on the Resource Curse team. She has previously worked as a research assistant for the book Market Power Politics. Her research interests include natural resource extraction, authoritarian politics, and sovereign debt default. Outside of research, Maya enjoys teaching for Musical Empowerment at UNC, watching sitcoms, and cheering for the Tar Heels.
Mekdi Theodros-Gebreyes
Mekdi is a sophomore at USC studying International Relations and the Global Economy. Her research interests include development in East Africa, Human Rights, Middle Eastern politics, and more. Outside of the lab, her interests include Model UN, travelling, and playing tennis. Mekdi joined SPEC in June 2021 and became a member of the Education, Conflict, and Aid Allocation team as well as the Consulting for Social Change team.
William Ortell
William Ortell is a rising sophomore studying International Relations and is currently a part of the Resource Curse Team. At USC, he is involved with the Unruh Associates, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and Trojan Scholar Society. His research interests include interstate and domestic conflict and the ideological roots of policy. In his free time, he enjoys listening to hip-hop, cooking, and exploring Los Angeles. Will joined the lab in Summer 2021.
Robert Huang
Robert Huang is a sophomore studying Economics and Data Science with a minor in Environmental Studies at USC. He is currently part of the Powersharing team. His academic interests include public policymaking, international trade, and environmental economics. Outside of the lab, he enjoys running, traveling, playing the violin, and watching Netflix.
Rodrigo Ramirez
Rodrigo is a fourth year Political Science and Philosophy major. His academic interests include international organizations and their subversion of state sovereignty, the causes and exacerbating elements of genocides, and the long-term state stability-related effects of state violence on citizen populations. Rodrigo has served as a research assistant to Dr. Susan Hyde since May 2020, researching regional organizations, human rights, and policing in the United States. He also researched mechanisms of the resource curse as a member of the USC Security and Political Economy lab during the summer of 2021. Since 2016, Rodrigo has worked as a leadership conference facilitator and event host for the Future Farmers of America Organization, presenting workshops, conferences, and TED-style events In Washington, D.C., Indianapolis, and various other cities. When Rodrigo is not in Berkeley, he is at home in Salinas, CA, surfing, backpacking and reading.
Sabrina Egal
Sabrina is a senior at the University of Minnesota double majoring in political science and global studies. She has worked on the Development & Education Equity Team at SPEC researching education and development aid patterns in East Africa. Sabrina is interested in foreign policy and international development. In her spare time she likes to read and hang out by the lake!
Sonja Fullilove
Carlotta Dalal Alaai
Carlotta Dalal Alaai is a junior double majoring in International Relations and Global Studies at USC. Her academic interests include peace and conflict studies with a regional focus on the Middle East. Outside of SPEC, she tutors with Kinder2College, a program that strives to improve literacy and academic skills among local LA elementary school students. In her free time, she can be found baking, reading, and convincing her family to adopt stray cats. Carlotta Dalal joined the lab in the Summer of 2020.
Abhinav Krishnan
Abhinav is a rising junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Political Sciene and Economics with minors in Spanish and Data Science. When he's not hacking at R code and merging datasets, you can find him at the farmers' market, preparing to cook an unnecessarily complicated dinner.
Bethlehem Kelecha
Bethlehem is a sophomore at the University of Kansas. She has an interest in economics and East African politics. Her interests outside the lab include poetry and visiting art galleries.
Annie Zhou
Annie Zhou is a Junior at University of California, San Diego majoring in Political Science/Data Analytics and minoring in Business. Her main research interests surround using data to make informed decisions, whether they be in politics, business, or law. She is part of the TALUS Analytics team, working on data management and visualization using R. Outside of the lab, Annie enjoys hiking & skiing (especially in her hometown of Denver, Colorado) as well as playing tennis and playing the piano. Annie joined the SPEC Lab as an REU student for Summer 2021.
William Taylor
William is a junior at The University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill, double-majoring in Computer Science and Political Science with a Minor in Data Science. As part of the lab, he provides figures and analytics for the lab's papers as well as the LEWIS Registry. In addition, he assists with troubleshooting during Data Science Training and Stats Consulting Office Hours. In his free time, William enjoys reading, exercising, and playing chess.
Summer 2022
REU Undergraduate Research Assistants
Lizabeth Bamgboye
Lizabeth Bamgboye is a rising junior at the University of North Carolina - Chapel
Hill. She is majoring in Political Science and Global Studies with a minor in
Creative Writing. As an aspiring activist, she enjoys exploring opportunities to
bridge research within higher academia to tangible community impact
domestically and globally. Her research interests surround international social
movements and initiatives for advancing economic and social equity. Outside of
research, Lizabeth enjoys writing and performing slam poetry. She is also
involved in different advocacy and service groups on and off-campus. She is
excited to be joining the Aid Allocation Research team this summer.
Hill. She is majoring in Political Science and Global Studies with a minor in
Creative Writing. As an aspiring activist, she enjoys exploring opportunities to
bridge research within higher academia to tangible community impact
domestically and globally. Her research interests surround international social
movements and initiatives for advancing economic and social equity. Outside of
research, Lizabeth enjoys writing and performing slam poetry. She is also
involved in different advocacy and service groups on and off-campus. She is
excited to be joining the Aid Allocation Research team this summer.
Yasmeen Hanon
Yasmeen Hanon is a rising sophomore at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is a double degree student majoring in Political Science and Environmental Studies with a minor in International Studies. Her research interests include
environmental preservation in the Middle East and North Africa. She is also
interested in international conflict perception among western media consumers. In SPEC, she is a member of the Resource Curse team. Outside of the lab, she serves as the coach and secretary of the University of Missouri- Kansas City debate team, along with being a competitor. She is an independent researcher,
volunteer judge, and environmental sustainability advocate with an emphasis in
sustainable living practices. In her free time, she is an artist, enjoys reading, learning languages, and is an avid gardener. Yasmeen joined the lab in the summer of 2022 as a part of the REU program.
environmental preservation in the Middle East and North Africa. She is also
interested in international conflict perception among western media consumers. In SPEC, she is a member of the Resource Curse team. Outside of the lab, she serves as the coach and secretary of the University of Missouri- Kansas City debate team, along with being a competitor. She is an independent researcher,
volunteer judge, and environmental sustainability advocate with an emphasis in
sustainable living practices. In her free time, she is an artist, enjoys reading, learning languages, and is an avid gardener. Yasmeen joined the lab in the summer of 2022 as a part of the REU program.
Booth Kayonga
Booth is a junior at Purdue University majoring in political science with a
concentration in international relations and is obtaining minors in Spanish, global
studies, and human rights. She is a part of the Resource Curse team. Her
research interests include foreign policy, Big Tech and global governance, African
politics, and Latin American politics. In her free time, Booth enjoys traveling,
reading, and doing her own research on topics of her interest.
concentration in international relations and is obtaining minors in Spanish, global
studies, and human rights. She is a part of the Resource Curse team. Her
research interests include foreign policy, Big Tech and global governance, African
politics, and Latin American politics. In her free time, Booth enjoys traveling,
reading, and doing her own research on topics of her interest.
Abigail Longstreth
Abigail Longstreth is a rising junior at The Ohio State University majoring in
Economics and minoring in Environmental Science. Her interdisciplinary research
interests include resource economics, sustainable development, and climate
change. This summer, she is joining the Talus team at SPEC. At OSU, Abigail leads
a Bible Study and works on consulting projects with Buckeye Leadership Fellows. In her spare time, she likes to draw, run, and spend time outdoors.
Economics and minoring in Environmental Science. Her interdisciplinary research
interests include resource economics, sustainable development, and climate
change. This summer, she is joining the Talus team at SPEC. At OSU, Abigail leads
a Bible Study and works on consulting projects with Buckeye Leadership Fellows. In her spare time, she likes to draw, run, and spend time outdoors.
Khalid Mahamud
Khalid Ali is a sophomore studying Political science and Philosophy with a minor
in Chinese at the University of Minnesota. His academic interests include
international law, jurisprudence, and comparative African politics. Most recently,
he has been interested in the relationship between international legal
institutions and emerging post-colonial states. He is also the editor-in-chief of
the Minnesota International Review and works at International Crisis Group.
Outside of SPEC, he enjoys reading, ballroom dancing, and hiking.
in Chinese at the University of Minnesota. His academic interests include
international law, jurisprudence, and comparative African politics. Most recently,
he has been interested in the relationship between international legal
institutions and emerging post-colonial states. He is also the editor-in-chief of
the Minnesota International Review and works at International Crisis Group.
Outside of SPEC, he enjoys reading, ballroom dancing, and hiking.
Trey Pallace
Trey Pallace joined the Summer 2022 REU as a rising junior and is working on the
Talus Team. She is double majoring in Statistics and Economics with a minor in
data science at the University of Virginia. Her academic interests include
environmental economics as well as machine learning and natural language
processing. Outside of SPEC, she will be a teaching assistant for UVA’s
introductory economics courses. In her free time, Trey enjoys cooking,
crocheting, and working out.
Talus Team. She is double majoring in Statistics and Economics with a minor in
data science at the University of Virginia. Her academic interests include
environmental economics as well as machine learning and natural language
processing. Outside of SPEC, she will be a teaching assistant for UVA’s
introductory economics courses. In her free time, Trey enjoys cooking,
crocheting, and working out.
Andres Gomez Sarmiento
Andres is a Junior at the University of California, San Diego pursuing his B.S. in
Political Science, Data Analytics and is minoring in Computational Social Science.
Currently, he is a research apprentice in the Political Science department at
UCSD, researching security issues in Mexico. Andres’s academic interests include
economic and demographic data analysis, foreign policy, and the study of
democratic processes with a regional focus in Latin America and the Global
South. In his free time, Andres likes to spend time with friends, watch
documentaries, read non-fiction, and take photos of natural landscapes.
Political Science, Data Analytics and is minoring in Computational Social Science.
Currently, he is a research apprentice in the Political Science department at
UCSD, researching security issues in Mexico. Andres’s academic interests include
economic and demographic data analysis, foreign policy, and the study of
democratic processes with a regional focus in Latin America and the Global
South. In his free time, Andres likes to spend time with friends, watch
documentaries, read non-fiction, and take photos of natural landscapes.
Nandita Vasantha
Nandita Vasantha is a senior majoring in Business Analytics and Information
Technology and Political Science at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. At the
SPEC lab, she is a research assistant on the Talus Team and works on data
management and visualization using R. She has also worked as a research
assistant under Professor Michael Kenwick on the Borders and Boundaries
Project. Her academic interests include employing quantitative methods in order
to study development in the Global South and wealth disparity. Outside of the
lab, she enjoys hiking, singing, and petting dogs.
Technology and Political Science at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. At the
SPEC lab, she is a research assistant on the Talus Team and works on data
management and visualization using R. She has also worked as a research
assistant under Professor Michael Kenwick on the Borders and Boundaries
Project. Her academic interests include employing quantitative methods in order
to study development in the Global South and wealth disparity. Outside of the
lab, she enjoys hiking, singing, and petting dogs.
Abigail Vixama
Abi is a junior at Tufts University studying International Relations and Sociology.
Her research interests include international development, especially as it relates
to global health, and gentrification in urban areas. In her free time, Abi enjoys
playing ukulele and guitar, going to concerts, and cooking.
Her research interests include international development, especially as it relates
to global health, and gentrification in urban areas. In her free time, Abi enjoys
playing ukulele and guitar, going to concerts, and cooking.
Aurora Thomas
Aurora Thomas is a rising senior pursuing a major in Global Studies & Maritime
Affairs and minor in Oceanography at CSU Maritime Academy. Her research
interests include environmental justice, civil conflicts, and cybersecurity. In her
free time, she enjoys going swimming, reading, playing music, and writing.
Aurora joined SPEC in June 2022 as a member of the Resource Curse team.
Affairs and minor in Oceanography at CSU Maritime Academy. Her research
interests include environmental justice, civil conflicts, and cybersecurity. In her
free time, she enjoys going swimming, reading, playing music, and writing.
Aurora joined SPEC in June 2022 as a member of the Resource Curse team.
Devyn Nordstrom
Devyn Nordstrom is a senior at California Lutheran University majoring in Political Science with
an emphasis in Law and Public Policy and a minor in Philosophy. He is currently on the Talus
Team. Devyn’s academic interests include health care policy, international conflict, and law.
Outside of the SPEC lab Devyn enjoys hiking, reading, and working out.
an emphasis in Law and Public Policy and a minor in Philosophy. He is currently on the Talus
Team. Devyn’s academic interests include health care policy, international conflict, and law.
Outside of the SPEC lab Devyn enjoys hiking, reading, and working out.
Chase Thatcher
Chase Thatcher is a senior pursuing a major in Political
Science and a minor in Mandarin Chinese at the United
States Air Force Academy. His academic interests include
American political history and polarization in American
politics as well as international relations and conflict
studies with a regional focus on East Asia. Outside of
SPEC, Chase is a member of the U.S. Air Force
Parachute Team as a competitive skydiver and jump
instructor. In his free time, he can be found hunting,
fishing, hiking, reading, or playing any type of sport. Chase
joined the lab in the summer of 2022.
Science and a minor in Mandarin Chinese at the United
States Air Force Academy. His academic interests include
American political history and polarization in American
politics as well as international relations and conflict
studies with a regional focus on East Asia. Outside of
SPEC, Chase is a member of the U.S. Air Force
Parachute Team as a competitive skydiver and jump
instructor. In his free time, he can be found hunting,
fishing, hiking, reading, or playing any type of sport. Chase
joined the lab in the summer of 2022.
Timothy Dobretsov
Timothy Dobretsov is a senior at the United States Air Force Academy majoring in Foreign Area Studies – Political Science with minors in Russian and French. His research interests include weaponized interdependence and the evolution of the post-Soviet European strategic environment. At the Academy, Tim is a member of the Martinson (Academy) Scholars Program and an instructor pilot at the 94th Flying Training Squadron. In his free time, he enjoys working out, skiing, orienteering, hockey, tennis, and reading.
