As more young people flock to America's liberal, urban centers either seeking more job opportunities or lifestyles that more closely resemble their values, our electoral system and procedures remain unchanged. In a quantitative study grounded in ethnographic research, I explore the impact of interstate voter migration on political polarization in the United States and how it has long-term (detrimental) impacts on our unchanging system of representation. (photo courtesy of HARRIS.news)
While we often do not consider the origins of the foods we eat, they can tell a powerful narrative of our own histories, revealing the most dominant forces that have brought us to the present. Using empirical and numeric data, this study explores the use of food as a proxy to understand the cultural-historical geography of southern Spain. After spending three months in Granada, Spain, and counting 1,379 ingredients from a total of 212 recipes, I compiled the most common thirty-five ingredients to gain insight into the most impactful chapters of Spanish history. Here's a link for some fun photos and more info. (Winner of Excellence in Research from the University of Southern Mississippi Honors College and 1st Place Drapeau Undergraduate Research Award in Global Studies)
I researched the use of restaurant diversity as a proxy for studying economic health in cities in Mississippi and uncovered that the data suggests that a variety of international restaurants can stand as an economic indicator, especially when excluding outliers. It is indicative of higher per capita family income, lower unemployment, higher education, and high-skill industry.
I studied the history of sustainable development in Latin America and in Cuba with a particular focus on the future sustainable use of the Hershey Mill to aid my professor, Dr. Mark Miller, in his own investigation of changing perceptions of environmentalism in the region. Check out the full journal article here.
(photo courtesy of Hershey Archives)
I'm a Mississippi native, and I'm most excited about beautiful maps, U.S. elections, graphic design, and the perfect bowl of gumbo. I'm motivated by a challenge, moved by high-impact undertakings, and inspired by projects that bring positive change to the world.
Education:
BS Geography, BA Spanish | MA Geography |
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December 2015 | (anticipated) June 2019 |
Unversity of Southern Mississippi | University of Oregon |
Hattiesburg, MS | Eugene, OR |
4.0 GPA, summa cum laude | 4.0 GPA |