Welcome!

I am a researcher at the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) at the University of Illinois.  My work focuses on using data and advanced statistical methods to understand educational systems in order to inform policy and decision-making,  so that every student has the opportunity to be everything they can be.  

Over the last three years I have authored or co-authored more than a dozen publications and reports, including on learning renewal in Illinois since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, post-secondary enrollment trends in Illinois, teacher preparation programs, and the challenges and opportunities faced by Latino students pursuing higher education.  I build partnerships with stakeholders including the Latino Policy Forum,  the Office of the Governor J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Education, public universities leadership and numerous philanthropic foundations, helping them leverage our research to inform their strategies and programs to better communities in Illinois.  With this in mind, I am also a Steering Committee Member of the UChicago Consortium for School Research. 

I earned a PhD in Education from UCLA, where my emphasis area was Social Research Methods specializing in Advance Quantitative Methods and Measurement, where I was a 2016 Dean's Scholar.  I also hold a Master of Arts degree in International Comparative Education from Stanford University, and Bachelor and Master Degrees in Economics from ITAM in Mexico. 

I have been privileged to receive numerous fellowships and awards in support of my work, including the 2016 National Youth Award from the government of Mexico for my contributions to political culture and democracy. 

As a migrant, I am committed to supporting migrant communities in Chicago and Illinois. In addition to advocating for recently arrived migrants, I am interested in fostering democracy and voting rights amongst migrant U.S. citizens. I have volunteered as an interpreter to promote voter registration and engagement,  and as a translator for parent-teacher conferences. 

In my free time, I love to spend time outdoors hiking, running or cycling across our beautiful state. I have completed numerous triathlons, and enjoy cooking and spending time with my family.