I am a PhD candidate in Economics at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). My research interests are in labor economics and political economy, with a special interest in social networks and peer groups.
My job market paper uses quasi-experimental variation in the composition of church congregations to study how peer groups shape individuals' party affiliations and voter turnout. In a second paper, I use a similar design to study the effect of peer groups on entrepreneurship.
Prior to coming to UCSD, I worked as a Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Chicago's Center for the Economics of Human Development. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Mathematics from Brigham Young University.
Outside of work, I enjoy tennis, running, and photography.