I am currently a PhD candidate in political science studying international relations and comparative politics. My research seeks to further explore the effect that natural resources have on international conflict and cooperation, especially in the maritime context, and how natural resources influence regime behavior and social mobilization at all levels of analysis. I graduated from Oklahoma State University in May 2020 with a BA in Political Science, as well as minors in Economics and Russian Language.

My dissertation examines when, where, and why offshore oil and natural gas cause states to engage in conflictual behavior versus cooperative behavior. I develop and test mechanisms for how specific conditions under which offshore oil and natural gas are exploited, managed, and traded influence maritime conflict dynamics. I also treat offshore oil and offshore natural gas as separate resources that have different effects on international relations. 
 

Awards:

• Graduate College Iowa Recruitment Fellowship, 2020
• Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Norway 2024-2025