Welcome to my homepage! 

I am a Professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Northridge. I study American politics with an emphasis on Latina/o politics, racial and ethnic politics, and immigration. 

I teach general education courses in American politics and racial and ethnic politics as well as upper division courses in American politics, Latina/o politics, political behavior, legislative institutions, and elections. 

My research, which can be found in academic journals and mainstream presses, addresses questions surrounding Latina/o identity, political behavior, and representation. Currently, I am working on a co-authored book project that examines the political behavior of congressional members when they are cross-pressured by the private prison industry and vulnerable populations, including Latinos, Asian Americans, and immigrant communities. This line of research tests whether congressional and state lawmakers are responsive to the interests of their constituents or private detention operators on immigration-related legislation.

Please feel free to email if you would like to access my working papers or published work. 

Go Matadors!