Undergraduate Researchers
Below are the short bios of our Spring 2024 undergraduate ROCCA’teers!
Assistant Directors
Trent Bohan (he/him/his) is a senior graduating in May 2024. He is majoring in Political Science and Human & Organizational Development. He is a part of Professor’s Schram’s project assisting with grant writing and additionally he works as one of the assistant director of the lab. Outside of ROCCA, Trent enjoys running and backpacking.
Aaditi Lele is a junior studying Political Science and Climate Studies, with a minor in South Asian Studies. Within ROCCA, she is a part of Dr. Larson’s Refugees Team, and serves as one of the Assistant Directors of the lab. Outside of ROCCA, Aaditi also serves as the Editorial Director of the Vanderbilt Hustler student newspaper and President of Women in Government!
Outreach Team
Duaa Faquih (she/her/hers) is a junior studying Political Science, Psychology, and minoring in Human and Organizational Development. Within the ROCCA lab, she is a part of the Outreach and Reducing Prejudice towards Refugees teams, and outside of the lab, she is involved in the Muslim Students Association and the Vanderbilt Hustler.
Olivia Haas (she/her/hers) is a senior double majoring in Political Science and History. In the ROCCA Lab, she is the Director of Outreach and a member of Professor Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team. Outside of the lab, she is the Vice President of the Vanderbilt Programming Board and loves to play sand volleyball and board games.
Zacarias Negron (he/him/his) is a Chancellor’s Scholar in the Class of 2025 at Vanderbilt University, where he is majoring in Political Science (International Track) and Law, History, & Society. He is minoring in Russian Studies and Islamic Studies with a particular focus on the Caucasus and Central Asian regions. He is a member of the Vanderbilt University Debate Team, competing in collegiate and British Parliamentary and Case Competition debates, both foreign and domestic. He serves on the Legacies of Violence Team and Outreach Team at the ROCCA Lab.
Adam Ahmed (he/him/his) is a sophomore studying Philosophy and Economics. He is currently working on the Bureaucratic Repression and Military Interventions teams. Outside of ROCCA, Adam is involved in the Vanderbilt Student Government. In his free time, Adam enjoys weightlifting and playing video games.
Kay Allen (she/her/hers) is a Junior studying Political Science and expected to graduate in May of 2025. She is apart of Reducing Prejudice Towards Refugees with Professor Larson and Military Capabilities with Professor Gannon. Outside of ROCCA, Kay is apart of the Vanderbilt Moot Court Oral Arguments team.
Owen Barnert (he/him/his) is a sophomore studying Political Science with a minor in Political Economy. Within ROCCA, he is part of of Legacies of Violence and Micro-dynamics of Civil War. Outside of the lab, he is part of Vanderbilt’s Model UN team and is a reviewer for the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal.
Nathan Bornstein (he/him/his) is a member of the class of 2026 majoring in Political Science with minors in Business and Japanese. He is part of the Reducing Prejudice toward Refugees project with Professor Larson, and the Humanitarianism and Media Coverage in Immigration Crises project with PhD Candidate Alec Tripp. Outside of ROCCA, Nathan is President of Spoon University at Vanderbilt, involved in the Japanese Cultural Association and Tamid, and enjoys scuba diving.
Claire Cho (she/her/hers) is a senior majoring in Political Science and Economics with a minor in Business. She is part of Professor Gannon’s National Security Strategies team and Professor Coe’s Economic Origins of War and Peace team. Outside of ROCCA, she is part of Active Minds and enjoys longboarding around campus.
Celeste Dorantes (she/her/hers) is a Public Policy, Political Science, and Economics student expected to graduate in 2025. Within ROCCA she is a part of Professor Bjork-James’ Ultimate Consequences project where she analyzes a comprehensive database of deaths in Bolivian political conflict and studies Colombian Humanitarianism and Media Coverage in Immigration Crises under Alexander Tripp. Outside of ROCCA, Celeste is the president of Vandy Votes, the Service and Advocacy Co-Chair of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), and is currently training for a half marathon.
Olivia Fang (she/her/hers) is a sophomore studying Human Organizational Development and Economics with a minor in Architecture and the Built Environment. She is part of Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team and with Professor Larson’s Reducing Prejudice Towards Refugees team. Outside of the ROCCA Lab, she is an Innovation Intern at Vanderbilt’s Career Center, a student consultant for SCNO, Publicity Chair for the Multicultural Leadership Council, and the Vice President Social Chair for VUCA. In her free time, she loves to read and explore new cafes and restaurants with friends.
Campbell Grimes (he/him/his) is a sophomore 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.
Ethan Hsieh (he/him/his) is a freshman majoring in Economics and minoring in Data Science. He is also thinking about double majoring in Political Science or Public Policy Studies and minoring in Mathematics or Political Economy. In the ROCCA Lab, he is working along with PhD candidate ChaeEun Cho on the Economic Sanctions team and with Prof. Talibova on the Legacies of Violence team. Beyond the lab, he actively engages as a member of the Student Alumni Board, Vanderbilt University Chinese Students and Scholars Association, and serves as a NextSteps Ambassa’dore.
TJ Hsueh (he/him/his) is a junior double majoring in Economics and Public Policy Studies with a minor in Business. This is his third semester in the ROCCA lab. He will be working on Professor Gannon’s team on Military Interventions and Professor Coe’s team on Economic Origins of War. Outside of the lab, TJ participates in private equity research with the Owen Graduate School of management and is the president of the Taiwanese American Student Association at Vanderbilt.
Jacqueline Huang (she/her/hers) is a sophomore majoring in economic and public policy and minoring in business, data science, and Asian studies. She is a part of the Economic Origins of War and Peace team with Dr. Coe and the Military Capabilities team with Dr. Gannon. Outside of ROCCA, she is an opinion staff writer for the Vanderbilt Hustler.
Brian Jung (he/him/his) is a sophomore (class of 2026) majoring in Economics and minoring in Data Science. He is a member of Professor Ritter’s Race Riots team and ChaeEun Cho’s Sanctions Coalitions team. Outside of ROCCA, he is involved in research with the Data Science Institute on the Grants Self-Service Project.
Connie Kang (she/her/hers) is a junior at Vanderbilt studying Economics and MHS with minors in Data Science and Business. Outside of ROCCA Lab, Connie is part of the EBI College Council and Vanderbilt Student Government.
Joseph Kang (he/him/his) is a senior majoring in Political Science and Law, History, & Society with a minor in Economics. He is working with Professor Coe’s team on Economic Origins of War and Peace and with PhD candidate ChaeEun Cho’s Building Coalitions for Economic Sanctions team. He previously worked on assisting interviews with North Korean refugees. Outside of the Lab, he is involved in Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations and the Vanderbilt Prison Project.
Ryan Kang (he/him/his) is a junior studying Economics and Data Science. He is working on Dr. Benson’s Arms Trade and Civil Conflict project and Dr. Larson’s Refugees project. Outside of ROCCA, Ryan is a research assistant at the graduate department of economics.
Ayse Keles (she/her/hers) is a freshman majoring in Political Science & Economics with a minor in Data Science. In the ROCCA Lab, she is a part of the Military Capabilities project with Professor Gannon and the Human Rights in Turkey project with Professor Talibova. Outside of ROCCA, she serves as the Director of Public Relations for Vanderbilt Student Government and enjoys solving the Washington Post Daily News Quiz.
Kai Keltner (he/him/his) is a sophomore (Class of 2026) majoring in Applied Mathematics and Public Policy (or possibly Economics), with minors in Data Science and Political Economy. At ROCCA, Kai works with Dr. Coe on the Economic Origins of War project and Dr. Benson on the Arms Trade and Civil Conflict project; he previously worked with Dr. Gheorghe’s Nuclear Facilities project. Kai also serves as an RA for Dr. David Lewis and Dr. Emily Ritter on independent projects, and works at the Political Violence Lab at the University of California. Outside of research, Kai is involved in the Vanderbilt Commodore Orchestra, Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations, the Data Science Institute, Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and Asian American Student Association.
Faisal Khreis (he/him/his) is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and Law, History, and Society. Within the ROCCA lab, he is involved with Professor Gannon’s Military Capabilities project, and 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.
Lilly LeJeune (she/her/hers) is a junior graduating in May of 2025. She is studying English (creative writing) and political science. Within ROCCA, Lilly is a member of Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team and Dr. Coe’s Economic Origins of War and Peace team. Outside of ROCCA, she is a member of VandyWrites and the English Majors’ Association.
Mariia Marchuk (she/her/hers) is a junior in the College of Arts and Science studying Public Policy, Economics, and Data Science. Within ROCCA, Mariia is a part of Arms Trade and Civil Conflict and Legacies of Violence projects. Outside of the lab, Mariia is involved in the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Vanderbilt Student Government, and I-FAM student group.
Alex Mormorunni (he/him/his) is a junior Political Science and Asian Studies double major. He is currently a member of Professor Benson’s China, US, Taiwan Relations and Professor Coe’s Economic Origins of War projects. Outside of ROCCA, Alex loves to write and watch Bay Area sports. He is the Online Director of the Vanderbilt Political Review and a copy-editor for the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal.
Imaad Muwahid (he/him/his) is a sophomore double majoring in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Data Science. Having worked as a student researcher at the lab for over a year, he is currently working with Dr. Andres Gannon on the Military Capabilities team. Outside of ROCCA, he competes at inter-collegiate tournaments as a member of Vanderbilt’s Debate Team and is a volunteer consultant at Vanderbilt’s Students Consulting for Non-Profits Organization. In his free time, he loves watching sit-coms, trying out new restaurants, and inviting people to visit Sri Lanka!
Marco Navarro (he/him/his) is a junior studying Political Science and Economics. He is part of Professor Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team. Outside of ROCCA, Marco conducts research for the LAPOP lab and is involved in Vanderbilt Student Government and AugNación. In his free time, he likes to cook dishes from his home country, Peru, and play soccer.
Cari Norton (she/her/hers) is a freshman from Chicago, IL. She is studying political science and religious studies. She is involved with Military Capabilities and Civil War Dynamics. She is also a member of VandyVotes, Alexander Hamilton Society, and Alpha Delta Pi.
Jeneta Nwosu (she/her/hers) is a freshman in the College of Arts and Science pursuing a major in Economics with a minor in Data Science. She is part of Dr. Coe’s Economic Origins of War and Peace project and Dr. Talibova’s Legacies of Violence team. Outside of the lab, Jeneta writes and copyedits satire for the Slant, plays Geoguessr, and crushes crosswords.
Connor Pierce is a senior pursuing a degree in Engineering Science with minors in World Politics and Engineering Management. He is continuing research on refugees with Professor Larson and beginning research with Professor Coe on his Economic Origins of War and Peace project.
Mihir Ram (he/him/his) is a junior at Vanderbilt majoring in Mathematics and Political Science and minoring in Data Science. At ROCCA, he is part of Professor Bjork-James’s The Significance of Deaths in Bolivian Political Conflict Team, as well as Professor Larson’s Reducing Prejudice toward Refugees Team. Outside of ROCCA, he enjoys playing tennis and is an avid supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers.
Anthony Rodas (he/him/his) is a sophomore 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 and a writer for the Vanderbilt Political Review. After graduation, he plans to attend law school to study international human rights.
Shahbano Raza (she/her/hers) is a junior majoring in political science in the College of Arts and Science. In ROCCA, she is the team lead for the Race Riots project and is also involved with the Military Interventions project. Outside of the lab, she is a staff writer for The Hustler, a committee member for Women in Government and a Hindi/Urdu conversation tutor. An avid follower of national, state and local politics, Raza has worked as a press aide on Capitol Hill and enjoys re-watching “Veep” in her free time.
Milena Rusu (she/her/hers) is a freshman international student born and raised in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. She is majoring in Political Science and Economics. Milena is part of the Economic Origins of War and Peace and Military Interventions Projects. She is passionate about philanthropy work around women’s rights, serving on the Board of the Global Fund for Children and a member of Women Against Violence Europe.
Tala Saad (she/her/hers) 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 Gannon’s Cyber Power team and Professor Talibova’s Lasting Legacies of Political Violence team. Outside of ROCCA, she is a research assistant at Vanderbilt’s Youth and Society Lab, a member of Vanderbilt’s Undergraduate AMCA Oral Argument Team, and a volunteer at Project C.U.R.E. Nashville.
Sam Schulman (he/him/his) is a sophomore studying Jewish Studies and Econ/History. He is a part of the Cyber Power and Micro-dynamics of Civil War Violence teams. Outside of ROCCA, he is an editor on the Vanderbilt Historical Review and is involved in student government.
Yuan Shi (she/her/hers) is a junior majoring in Economics and Mathematics and minoring in Business. She is currently working on Professor Larson’s Reducing Prejudice Towards Refugees project and Professor Talibova’s The Lasting Legacies of Political Violence project. Outside ROCCA, she enjoys outdoor sports and voluntary activities.
Ayaan Siddiqui (he/him/his) is a Class of 2026 Economics & History major and Cornelius Scholar at Vanderbilt University from Phoenix, Arizona. Within the ROCCA Lab, he is part of the Economic Origins and Refugees team. Outside of school, Ayaan has worked to help introduce two bills in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate supporting immigration reform for children of long-term visa holders. Through his appointment as a UNICEF National Youth Council Member, he has given opening remarks at the State of the World’s Children Report on mental health and the Concordia Summit alongside the United Nations General Assembly on youth participation in local communities.
Matt Swenson (he/him/his) is a sophomore at Vanderbilt double-majoring in Human Organizational Development and Political Science. In the ROCCA Lab, Matt is working on Dr. Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression team as well as the Economic Origins of War and Peace team with Dr. Coe. Outside of the ROCCA Lab, Matt is a member of the Chancellor’s Scholars Program and VSG’s sustainability committee. After graduating in 2024, Matt is hoping to go into consulting.
Sechan Tak (he/him/his) is a junior majoring in political science and economics with minors in computer science and data science. He is a researcher on Human Rights in Turkey with Dr. Roya Talibova and Military Capabilities with Dr. J Andrés Gannon. Outside of ROCCA, Sechan is involved in VSG and Amnesty International at Vanderbilt, and he enjoys playing video games in his free time.
Joseph Udina (he/him/his) is a junior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Business. He is currently assigned to Professor Coe’s Economic Origins of War and Peace project and Professor Schram’s Miscellany project. Outside of the ROCCA Lab, Joseph is the Social Chair of Vanderbilt’s Undergraduate Moot Court Team, a Managing Editor for the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal, a Resident Advisor in West House, and a member of Vanderbilt’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club.
Celia Waldman (she/her/hers) is a senior studying Economics and Political Science with a minor in Cognitive Studies. For ROCCA, she is a member of Professor Gannon’s Military Capabilities team and Professor Bjork-James’ Bolivian Political Conflict Team. Outside of ROCCA, Celia is involved in Vanderbilt Student Government and club tennis.
Anthea Walker (she/her/hers) is a senior majoring in Public Policy Studies, with minors in Data Science and Spanish. This semester, she is working on Professor Ritter’s Bureaucratic Repression and Jennifer Barnes’ Coercive Agents teams. Outside of the Lab, she is co-president of both the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and the Vanderbilt Hellenic Student Association.
Nikki Weitzenhoffer (she/her/hers) is a junior at Vanderbilt majoring in art history with a minor in history. In the ROCCA Lab, Nikki is working on behalf of Professor Coe on the Economic Origins of War and Peace team as well as for Professor Gannon on the National Security Strategies team. She is also a staff writer for the Hustler, a staff editor for the Vanderbilt Historical Review, and a volunteer for Volunteers for Health. Nikki hopes to pursue a career in art law following graduation in 2025.
Jenny Yang (she/her/hers) is a sophomore majoring in Economics and minoring in Business and Data Science. In the ROCCA Lab, she is working on Dr. Coe’s Economic Origins of War and Peace and Professor Larson’s Reducing Prejudice toward Refugees projects. Outside of ROCCA, Jenny enjoys trying new restaurants with friends and writing for the Vanderbilt Hustler.
Raney Yang (she/they) is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and Cognitive Studies with a minor in Child Psychology and Mental Health, who plans to graduate in spring 2026. Within ROCCA, Raney is a member of Professor Ritter’s Race Riots Project and Dr. Gannon’s Military Capacities Project. Outside ROCCA, she is involved in VSG and Chill Lab.
Hanmu Zhang (she/her/hers) is a senior who is going to graduate in May 2024. She is majoring in HOD, economics, and applied math. She is part of Professor Benson’s alliance team and also works with ChaeEun on her project about economic sanctions.