Biography
I am originally from Edinburg in the Rio Grande Valley. I received my B.A. in Sociology from Rice University in 2005, my M.A. in Sociology from Texas State University in 2009, and my Ph.D. in Sociology from Washington State University in 2013. I taught at Texas Christian University from 2013-2018. I began teaching at Texas State University in 2018.
Research Interests
My research interests are quite varied, but generally are related to environmental concerns, risk perceptions, perceptions of science, social inequality, and quantitative and qualitative methods.
Some of my past research studies include: a qualitative study of community organizers for farmworkers in Texas, a survey of Washington and Nebraska residents on water governance issues, and a qualitative study of stakeholder perceptions of risk related to hydraulic fracturing in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. I have also looked at how perspectives change for people who are not incarcerated but are participating in prison-based environmental programs (e.g., as educators, scientists, etc.).
Several of my other studies have considered the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process from multiple angles. For example, using the lens of environmental justice, I considered how NEPA is implemented for immigrant detention centers (by DHS). Using the lens of settler colonialism, I analyzed publicly submitted comments by Tribal-affiliated individuals and organizations to better understand how they viewed rule changes to NEPA in 2020. Using the lenses of neoliberal bureacratization and rationalization, I compared the changes to NEPA under both the Trump administration and the Biden administration.
Some of my past research studies include: a qualitative study of community organizers for farmworkers in Texas, a survey of Washington and Nebraska residents on water governance issues, and a qualitative study of stakeholder perceptions of risk related to hydraulic fracturing in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. I have also looked at how perspectives change for people who are not incarcerated but are participating in prison-based environmental programs (e.g., as educators, scientists, etc.).
Several of my other studies have considered the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process from multiple angles. For example, using the lens of environmental justice, I considered how NEPA is implemented for immigrant detention centers (by DHS). Using the lens of settler colonialism, I analyzed publicly submitted comments by Tribal-affiliated individuals and organizations to better understand how they viewed rule changes to NEPA in 2020. Using the lenses of neoliberal bureacratization and rationalization, I compared the changes to NEPA under both the Trump administration and the Biden administration.
Teaching Interests
My favorite classes to teach are about methods and environmental sociology! At Texas State, I have taught the following courses: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 1310), Society & Environment (SOCI 3365), Quantitative Research Methods (SOCI 4308), Environmental Sociology (SOCI 5368), and Applied Survey Research (SOCI 5388J).