Research Interests

Research Experience & Pursuits

Mom and I at the 2018 US Sumo Open at CSULB

Having no cable growing up meant that we had to watch whatever wasn't static-y. The news channel we often settled on was called NHK World News from Japan.

There, I learned about the sport/practice of sumo and I was mesmerized.

In my senior year of high school, we were assigned a year long project of our choice, I chose to write a research paper about the history of early Japanese immigrants and about how sumo had made its home in Los Angeles. However, after the attack of Pearl Harbor, sumo would soon be 'removed' and lost in the United States.

Nevertheless, I was interested in finding out whether this was really still true. Along with my research paper, I produced and filmed a mini-documentary about the story of one American sumo wrestler named Phillip Barnes.

Mini-Documentary-

"Journey Across the Pacific: Sumo in the United States" (2019-2020)

Journey Across the Pacific: Sumo in the U.S 1.mov

Historical Research Paper & Beginner Ethnography

USA Sumo Team:

At the time, I called my research "infiltration" but now have learned it to be ethnography. (At least at an elementary level).

It was amazing getting to meet all the types of people that had been brought together by this sport.

The USA Sumo Director is a UCLA alumni, and was one of my motivators for also attending UCLA.

Historical Research Paper:

"Sumo's Integration into the United States"(2019-2020)

Research Paper

Future Interests

Sam Bloch's 'Shade' Article:

The first article we read in the Infernal Cities Class that completely opened my eyes into this new perception of heat/shade.

Study of Heat

After taking the Fiat Lux, Infernal Cities, with professor Venkat I saw heat and its effects in a whole new light. Throughout the quarter we read different research books and articles based on how heat was affecting people around the world- and how people approached the fight against heat so differently.

Professor Venkat invited us to be a part of his research team creating GIS maps and other methods of research to begin learning more about this phenomenon. I was too inexperienced at the time, so I'm waiting until fall quarter to apply to this team.

Hopefully with more time planned out for it, and better prepared by the research methods course I am currently taking this quarter, I can better answer the questions; How is heat a social issue? Where is heat a problem? And why is it a particular issue for those locations?

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