Student Research
This page features student research I have supervised for the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program at the University of San Diego, honors theses at Austin College, and my Applied Anthropology & Sociology course at AC.
Research for Grayson County Pride
One of the research projects for my Applied Anthropology & Sociology course in spring 2026 was done in collaboration with Grayson County Pride.
For this project, the student researchers and I completed 26 in-depth interviews with LGBTQ+ residents of Grayson County, Texas in March and April 2026.
You can read the report based on this research here.
Back row (left to right): Kilroy Short, Eastwood Wolters, Cole Rogers
Front row (left to right): Etni Matías Espinoza, Laci May, Juan Antonio Torres, and Meghan Donnelly
Photo by Lexi Pietrasik
Back row (left to right): Leila Rivera, Taylor McClain, Katy Lucchese, Wyatt Hartley
Front row (left to right): Cassie Wilson (SPL), Sonia Pereira (SPL), Lexi Pietrasik, Jeannine Paredes, MeLissa Eason (SPL), Meghan Donnelly
Photo by Patrick Duffey
Honors Theses
Rania Zoya Shaik - “Seen But Not Heard: The Emergence of Muslim-American Women as a Political Entity” (2026)
Research for the Sherman Public Library
The second project for my Applied Anthropology & Sociology course in spring 2026 was carried out at the Sherman Public Library in Sherman, Texas.
The student research team completed 12 hours of observations at the library, 185 surveys with library patrons, two focus groups with library patrons, and four interviews with library employees.
You can read the report with research findings and recommendations here.
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program
Emma Zavala - “Self-Identification as an Undefined Person: Navigating a Multiracial Identity in America” (2023)
Emma and I were featured in this video about student research at USD.
Amaya Ardilla - “Dangerous or Advantageous? An Exploration of the Norms and Values of the Lowrider Community” (2022)
Amaya’s Research was featured in this article.