Meet Our Research Team

Doctoral Student, Cornell University (Brooks School)

Program: Doctorate of Public Policy (PhD)

Project To Be Announced

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Amaya’s research focuses on American politics and public policy, with emphasis on public opinion, political behavior, and democratic participation. Her work examines how identity, lived experience, and economic precarity shape political attitudes and perceptions of government responsiveness. She uses mixed-methods research, combining survey data with qualitative analysis to inform policy design and governance. Amaya is committed to producing policy-relevant research that is accessible and impactful beyond academic audiences.

Graduate of Cornell University

Program: Brooks School of Public Policy MPA

Immigration Enforcement, Family Precarity, and Child Well-Being

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Caidie focuses on applied social research, program evaluation, and policy-relevant analysis. Her work spans education, social services, and international development, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. She brings experience from academic, nonprofit, and multilateral settings, supporting mixed-methods research and evidence-based decision-making. At RRI, Caidie contributes to research design, data analysis, and knowledge synthesis aimed at improving outcomes for underserved communities.

Sophomore, Cornell University

Program: Government and Information Science

Media Propaganda: How the Media Shapes the Public’s Demographic Perception

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Marianna is a sophomore at Cornell University majoring in Government and Information Science. She has interned as a Data Capacity Fellow for SEIU contributing to efforts of inclusive and effective canvassing. During her internship at RRI she worked on The Great Realignment Project, authoring a chapter that investigates the historical and modern ideologies held by the Hispanic electorate. Born in Venezuela, she is passionate about minority advocacy and inclusive policy. 

Senior, Virgina Tech

Program: International Relations

The Trust Deficit: Economic Interdependence, Populism, and the Crisis of Democratic Legitimacy

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Allison is a Senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in International Relations and minoring in Economics. Graduating in May 2026, her research interests lie in political economics, democratic resilience, and economic-security dynamics. She has been with RRI as of Fall 2025 and conducts additional research with the Virginia Tech Hume Center for National Security and Technology. Allison plans to pursue a graduate degree in International Political Economy beginning Fall 2026. 

Graduate of UCLA

Human Rights Protections and AI in Border Management: A Comparative Analysis of EU and American AI Policy

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​Sophia is a recent graduate from UCLA with a background in Global Studies and international law, she has volunteered for the IRC providing civics courses to underrepresented communities. Sophia authored a chapter for The Great Realignment,  exploring the impact of international organizations and geopolitical affairs on Latino voting behavior in the U.S. With an interest in international law, she is passionate about the intersection of human rights and business, focusing on inclusive advocacy and justice. ​​​​​​​

Sophomore, Florida State University

Program: Political Science & Economics

A Broken Compass: Bias, Artificial Intelligence, and Misdirection in National Security

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​Varun is a second-year student at Florida State University, studying Political Science and Economics with a U.S. Intelligence Certificate. His research experience has spanned juvenile recidivism, Mexican judicial reforms, and most recently—RRI's Citizenship Empowerment Framework Activation Guide. He will begin his Honors Thesis on AI in national security this Spring. Varun aims to explore the intersection of national security, emerging technologies, and civil liberties.​

Senior, Washington University in St. Louis

Program: Political Science, Anthropology, & History

The U.S. Electoral System's Link to Declining Public Support for Democracy

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​Shylyne's previous research focused on the motives and nuances behind political behavior through the study of ideology's role in the decision to join political parties in the Republic of Serbia. Since then, her research interests have expanded to include regime types, political violence, and their intersections. Shylyne plans to eventually pursue INGO work related to these topics, hoping to use her knowledge to advocate for policies that promote international security, adherence to human rights, and democracy.