Undergraduate Researchers
Below are the short bios of our Fall 2025 undergraduate ROCCA’teers!
Assistant Directors
Matt Swenson (he/him) is a senior at Vanderbilt double majoring in Human Organizational Development and Political Science. In the ROCCA Lab, Matt is working on behalf of Professor Ritter on the Bureaucratic Repression team, and is one of the assistant directors of the lab. Outside of ROCCA, Matt is a casework intern at the Tennessee Justice Center, and a member of both the Chancellor’s Scholars Program and 180 Degree Consulting. Following graduation in 2026, Matt plans to attend law school.
Ayse Keles (she/her) is a junior from Istanbul, Turkey triple majoring in Economics, Political Science, and History of Art with a minor in Data Science. In the ROCCA Lab, she is a part of Dr. Gannon’s Military Multiverse and serves as one of the assistant directors of the lab. Outside of ROCCA, she is the Vice President of Finance for Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity, Treasurer of the History of Art Society, and a Development Intern at the Frist Art Museum.
Outreach Team
Owen Barnert is a senior studying Political Science. At ROCCA, he is part of Nguyen Ha’s team researching Civil Conflict. Outside of ROCCA he is part of the Vanderbilt Model UN team.
Taisiia Kostiuk is a junior studying Political Science and French & European Studies. Within ROCCA, she is working on a Military Interventions project with Professor Gannon. Taisiia is also involved in a College Scholars program, a Global Engagement Fellowship, Tour Guides, and Undergraduate Admissions.
Aniruddh Marella is a senior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Economics with a minor in Data Science. His research with the ROCCA Lab spans cyber power and political economy. Beyond research, he is active in consulting, student media, and nonprofit advocacy, reflecting his broader interest in law, governance, and social change.
Blaire Richards is a member of the Class of 2027 studying Political Science with a minor in Business. She serves as a team lead for PhD Candidate Chloe Hale’s Natural Disasters and Repression Lab within ROCCA. Outside of the lab, Blaire is involved in AKPsi, VUCC, SCNO, Tutor Nashville, and Gen Action on campus. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting and is currently learning French.
Stella Rodriguez is a junior majoring in Political Science, Psychology, and MHS. She is currently a member of Professor Benson’s Alliances team and will also be working with the Administrative and Outreach team. Outside of the ROCCA lab, Stella is on executive boards for Vanderbilt Student Government, Women in Government, Chancellor’s Scholars, and Relay for Life..
Anastasia Thumser is a senior majoring in Political Science with minors in Business and Medicine, Health, and Society. Within ROCCA, Anastasia is a part of the Bureaucratic Repression and Civil War Micro-Dynamics teams. Outside of the lab, Anastasia is a copy editor for the Vanderbilt Hustler.
Susan Yenke is a senior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Human and Organizational Development and Political Science with a minor in Business. Her research interests center on political polarization, international politics, and the intersection of law, governance, and emerging technologies. At ROCCA Lab, she contributes to projects that apply data-driven methods to study complex political and organizational dynamics.
Undergraduate Researchers
George Boardman is a senior majoring in Law, History, and Society and Political Science. He is currently working on Dr. Benson’s Alliance team and in Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression group. Outside of ROCCA, he is one of 6 junior inductees to Phi Beta Kappa, Editor-in-Chief for the Vanderbilt Historical Review, Treasurer of Undergraduate Moot Court, and VP of Pre-Law Programming for Phi Alpha Theta. He is also writing an honors thesis in history about U.S. diplomatic policy during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and, in his free time, George plays on the university Club Baseball team.
Sorin Căldăraru is a senior studying History and Mathematics. He works on Professor Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team and Lucas Borba’s How Space Shapes the State team. In his free time he enjoys photography and writing music and poetry.
Nellysa Chavez Blanco is a junior majoring in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Legal Studies. Within the ROCCA Lab, she works with PhD student Ha Nguyen’s Civil War Micro-dynamics Lab and Dr. Bjork-James’ Ultimate Consequences Lab. Outside of ROCCA, Nellysa is the Secretary for the Vanderbilt QuestBridge Chapter and has served as a member of Vanderbilt Student Government. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting and listening to music.
Michael Giorgi is a junior at Vanderbilt University double majoring in Economics and Communication of Science and Technology with minors in National Security, Cognitive Studies, and Italian Studies. He is a member of the Military Capabilities Project with Professor Gannon and the China-U.S-Taiwan Relations Project with Professor Benson. Outside of ROCCA, he is an Army ROTC Cadet as well as a member of the Financial Modeling Club and the Immersion Cohort for the Institute of National Security.
Gianna Golino, a junior set to graduate in 2027, is pursuing majors in Economics and Public Policy. Within ROCCA, she is a part of Dr. Benson’s Alliances team. Beyond her involvement with the ROCCA Lab, she actively participates in Vanderbilt Delta Sigma Pi. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and listening to music.
Campbell Grimes (he/him/his) is a senior double majoring in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Data Science. He is currently working with Dr. Emily Ritter on the Race Riots team and Dr. Andres Gannon on the Military Capabilities team. Outside of ROCCA, he is a member of Vanderbilt’s Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity and the Financial Modeling Club. In his free time he enjoys spending time outdoors, watching sports, and playing chess.
Kendall Hall is a senior from Austin, Texas studying public policy and data science. She has a strong passion for international affairs and the activities within federal and state legislatures. Outside of the ROCCA Lab, she is a member of the Vanderbilt Varsity Swim Team and is a part of the Vanderbilt Political Review. She is currently working on Dr. Gannon’s Military Interventions project and Mason Auten’s State Building team.
Ella Huang is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, expected to graduate in 2028, majoring in Human and Organizational Development and French Horn Performance with a minor in Legal Studies. She is part of Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression project and Prof. Benson’s Arms project. Outside of the lab, Ella is involved in Vanderbilt Women in Government, mock trial, and The Hustler, where she writes for the Opinions section. She also performs with the Vanderbilt University Orchestra and enjoys exploring the intersection of music and storytelling through her creative projects.
Jacqueline Huang is a senior majoring in Public policy and Economics and minoring in Business, Asian studies, and Data Science. She is on the Cyber Power team. Outside of ROCCA, Jacqueline is a lifeguard for the Vanderbilt Rec Center and a tutor for the Ingram Center.
Alícia Isasi is a junior studying Public Policy and Economics with a concentration in International and Foreign Policy. She is a member of Professor Bjork-James’ Ultimate Consequences project and team lead for Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression project. Outside of ROCCA, she serves as Editor in Chief of the Vanderbilt Political Review and Student Ambassador for ‘Dore for a Day.
Dina Ishak is a senior studying Economics and Political Science. She is part of Professor Gannon’s Military Interventions and Professor Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression projects. Outside of the lab, she is either managing events for the Student Alumni Board, writing articles for the Vanderbilt Political Review, or learning French.
Claire Jeon is majoring in Political Science and HOD, expected to graduate in 2028. Inside the lab, she is a part of the Military Capabilities team and the Rural Development in Latin America team. Outside the lab, she is involved in the Asian American Student Association, the Vanderbilt Asian Pre-professional Society, and the EnviroEquity Health Initiative.
Faisal Khreis is a senior majoring in Political Science, Spanish, and Law, History, and Society. Within the ROCCA lab, he is involved with Doctor Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression project. Outside of the ROCCA lab, Faisal is involved with the Model UN team, a nonprofit tutoring organization, Vanderbilt’s Student Government, and research with the History Department.
Riley Kibelbek is a junior majoring in Public Policy Studies and Political Science from Charlotte, N.C. This is her second semester in the ROCCA lab where she is working on Dr. Ritter’s Race Riots and Dr. Schram’s Nuclear Deterrence Threat Teams. Outside of the ROCCA lab, you can find her volunteering as an Operations Coordinator for Camp Kesem at Vanderbilt and playing for Vanderbilt’s Women’s Club Volleyball Team.
Brodie Labott is a junior studying Economics and Public Policy Studies while minoring in Mathematics. Within ROCCA, he is helping Dr. Benson to study state-level alliances and Dr. Bisbee on the Social Media and Politics team. Outside of the lab, Brodie is involved with the Vanderbilt Historical Review, VUcept, and is conducting further political science research with faculty.
Isabella Lefkowitz-Rao is a senior from Washington, DC majoring in history and psychology with minors in Spanish and Economics. With ROCCA, she’s currently working on the Bureaucratic Repression and Political Economy teams. Outside of the lab, Isabella participates in volunteer literacy tutoring and is a member of Vanderbilt Prison Project and Club Tennis.
Dalton Malmin is a sophomore majoring in Economics and Mathematics with a minor in Data Science. He contributes to Professor Gannon’s Military projects and Professor Benson’s Small Arms Trade & Political Violence project. Outside of the lab, he also conducts health policy research in the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society with Professor Gilbert Gonzales and serves as a reviewer for the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal.
Rami Marinoff is a Junior, studying HOD, Political Science, Data Science and Business. He is joining ROCCA to work on the Bureaucratic Repression and Race Riots Projects, and is involved in a variety of other organizations on campus outside of ROCCA, including Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, Kappa Sigma, Nucleate and Vanderbilt SSI.
Libby Meade is a junior studying Viola Performance and Political Science. Within ROCCA, she is working on Dr. Benson’s Alliances team as well as Mason Auten’s State Building team. Beyond research, Libby is involved in Vanderbilt’s Synesis Journal and Nightingales in the Wings.
Garid Mendbayar is a junior majoring in Economics and Applied Mathematics. Within ROCCA, he is part of the Nuclear Deterrence Threat project with Dr. Schram and the State Building project with PhD student Mason Auten. Outside the lab, Garid is involved with the Men’s Club Volleyball team, Association of Mongolian Students in America, and Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations.
Alma Mikkelson is a junior majoring in Political Science. Within ROCCA she is a member of the Bureaucratic Repression and Government Response to Natural Disasters research teams. Outside of ROCCA, she serves as a Residential Advisor for North House 3, is actively involved with STARS, enjoys playing her guitar, and never misses a chance to cheer on the Commodores.
Caroline Norton is a member of the Vanderbilt University Class of 2027, majoring in Political Science, Religious Studies, and European Studies. She is involved in the ROCCA Lab’s Space and State and Ultimate Consequences projects, contributing research on conflict and collective action. Outside of the lab, she is an executive member of the Alexander Hamilton Society and is currently interning with the Nashville Predators in their community relations department.
Marvy Nessim is a sophomore at Vanderbilt double majoring in Political Science and Psychology with a minor in Legal Studies. In the ROCCA lab, Marvy is working with Professor Peter Schram on the Nuclear Deterrent Threat team and Chloe Hale on the Natural Disasters and Repression Team. Outside of the ROCCA lab, she is involved in MENA, Pre-Law Society, and the MLC.
Madelyn Pelletier is a member of the class of 2028 at Vanderbilt majoring in Math and Political Science. She is currently involved with Professor Benson’s Small Arms Trade Networks project and Lucas Borba’s Space and State project. Outside of the lab she enjoys being part of The Vanderbilt Review, reading, and playing music.
Joey Ravikoff is a sophomore from the Bronx, New York. An undecided major in the College of Arts and Sciences, he is part of Dr. Benson’s Alliances team and Dr. Gannon’s Military Capabilities team. Outside of ROCCA, he is a member of Vanderbilt’s Mock Trial team, Scholars of Finance, and TAMID Group.
Yotam Peer is a junior double-majoring in Public Policy Studies and Economics. He is a member of Dr. Ritter’s “Bureaucratic Repression” team and Dr. Gannon’s “Military Capabilities” team. Outside of the lab, Yotam is involved with Dialogue Vanderbilt, Vandy Votes, and Tour Guides.
Anthony Rodas (he/him/his) is a junior majoring in Political Science and Law, History, & Society with a minor in Sociology. He is currently involved in Professor Gannon’s National Security Strategies team and Alec Tripp’s Humanitarianism and Media Coverage in Immigration Crises team. Outside of ROCCA, he is a research assistant for the LAPOP Lab. After graduation, he plans to attend law school to study international human rights.
Parker Rothbart is a junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Human and Organizational Development, Data Science, and Legal Studies. In the ROCCA lab, she is working with Dr. Bisbee on his Social Media team and Dr. Gannon on his Military Multiverse projects. Outside the lab, Parker is the VP of Political Involvement for Women in Government, the Treasurer of Vandy Votes, and the Philanthropy Coordinator for Kappa Alpha Pi. In her free time, she enjoys reading, golfing, and rock climbing.
Tala Saad is a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar in the Class of 2027 where she is double majoring in Human and Organizational Development and Political Science. This semester, she is working with Professor Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team and is a Lead Research Assistant for Professor Gannon’s Cyber Power team. Outside of ROCCA, she coaches Vanderbilt’s Undergraduate Moot Court Team and works as a Legal Innovation Project Lead with the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination.
Alessandra Salvini is a junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Human and Organizational Development. In the ROCCA Lab, Alessandra is currently serving on the Political Economy team and the Humanitarianism and Media Coverage in Immigration Crises team. Outside of the ROCCA Lab, Alessandra is an Immersion Fellow with the Vanderbilt Institute of National Security and serves as VP Finance for her sorority. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, hiking, and traveling.
Eva Sinelnikov is a junior (Class of 2027) at Vanderbilt studying Economics with minors in Data Science and Spanish. She is part of the Nuclear Deterrence and Political Economy teams. Outside of ROCCA, Eva is a Global Engagement Fellow (GEF) for the Center for Languages and a member of Leveraging Emerging Voices in Economics Research (LEVER).
Noah Sosinsky is a junior majoring in Public Policy and Mathematics, with a minor in Data Science. He is part of Dr. Benson’s alliance team and Dr. Bjork-James’ Ultimate Consequences project. Outside of ROCCA, he writes for the sports section of the Hustler and plays a healthy amount of Mario Kart.
Ansley Steele is a senior majoring in Political Science and Law, History, and Society with a minor in Art History. Within the ROCCA lab, she conducts research on the Natural Disasters and Repression Project and with Dr. Schram on his Nuclear Deterrence Project. Outside of ROCCA, her roles include research assistant for the Center of Effective Lawmaking and the RIPS Lab, executive board member of the Alexander Hamilton Society, and senior editor of the Vanderbilt Historical Review.
Clara Steer is a junior studying Political Science with minors in Legal Studies and Business. She is passionate about international affairs and intends to pursue higher education through law school. Clara is currently researching with Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team, as well as Alec Tripp’s Humanitarianism and Media Coverage in Immigration Crises team. She is also an active research assistant for the Center for Effective Lawmaking and the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions.
Elsa Steer is a junior double majoring in Political Science and Psychology with minors in Business and Latin American Studies. She is currently working on Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team and PhD candidate Lucas Borba’s Space and State team. Outside of ROCCA, she enjoys running and is part of the Alexander Hamilton Society and Vanderbilt Women in Government.
Alysa Suleiman (she/her/hers) is a senior majoring in Political Science; Law, History, & Society; and Communication Studies. Alysa enjoys studying human rights and press freedom. Within ROCCA, Alysa is a part of Dr. Emily Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team and Ph.D. candidate Alec Tripp’s Humanitarianism and Media Coverage in Immigration Crises team. Outside of the ROCCA Lab, Alysa edits for The Vanderbilt Hustler’s social media section and serves as president of Vanderbilt’s Pre-Law Society.
Linda Wang is a senior majoring in Economics and Sociology, with minors in Data Science and Business. In the ROCCA Lab, she is working with Professor Benson on China/Taiwan/US relations and with Dr. Bjork-James on Bolivian Deaths. Outside of the lab, she is part of the Vanderbilt VIVID dance team.
Selene Wang is a senior majoring in Political Science, Economics, and Mathematics. At the ROCCA lab, she works on the Cyberpower and Hundred Years’ War projects. Outside the lab, she is a member of VSVS and enjoys photography and hiking in her free time.
Raney Yang (she/they) is a senior majoring in Political Science, Psychology, and Cognitive Studies with a minor in Child Psychology and Mental Health. Within ROCCA, Raney is a member of Professor Bisbee’s Social Media and Politics Project and Professor Benson’s Taiwan/China/US Project. Outside ROCCA, Raney is involved in the Chill Lab, VSG, VSVS, and VUCD.