Mission and Values
Among the most important lessons that I have learned from my education and experiences is the need for rational, free-thinking individuals to have a sense of direction in their life's trajectory—a series of goals and objectives that bring opportunities for improvement and purpose of existence. Values are also important because they set boundaries for respect towards oneself and others, in addition to also helping maintain focus of what is important to one's own life.
My mission is to expand the limits of human knowledge and understanding to improve the present and future for all peoples. I envision myself as a researcher at the vanguard of scholarship and as a teacher who promotes consciousness of the past's influence in the modern world. I value learning as a collaborative process and believe that all human beings have unique visions of reality shaped by their life experience; respecting this diversity of the minds is central to innovation and progress. |
Biography
I consider my existence a result of multiple realities combined, most of which I know are unknown to me. Those that are known to me include my family and friends, all of whom have shaped my own awareness of life. I am also grateful to all who have trusted me with their assistance to pursue my education and work. My story could not exist without their influence.
I was born in Lima, Peru's capital, and spent my early childhood in the city's San Miguel District. I developed a vivid imagination to help me cope with the gloomy reality of the terror-stricken city. I learned to question rules through jokes and sarcasm. My most cherished memories are collecting stickers to complete picture albums, inventing games, and visiting my abuelita Olguita.
Moving to Texas in the United States began a new phase in my life. I became an American through ingenuity for survival, in effect forcing me to relinquish my childhood to find a voice for protection. Living alongside other migrant communities, I found my identity in adaptation. Learning to succeed without losing humility, keeping resilient despite being injured, and being always kind and honest. |
I decided to find my true self and purpose beyond imposed boundaries while also learning to navigate the system. I explored history to understand our current reality, and studied economics to comprehend the frameworks of exchange and interaction established by human want and necessity. I also found value in learning about the archaeological mysteries of antiquity and ancient societies, whom I realized were filled with much unique wisdom—many of which has been lost—worth understanding or rediscovering for the present.
In 2013, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History & Economics, as well as a minor in Anthropology, from Texas A&M University. Living in low-income communities in Texas fostered in me a desire to find solutions to improve living standards; thus, I decided to learn about economic development at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M.
At the Bush School, I studied the local & the international power dynamics operating the world's economic and political systems. At IFPRI in Washington, I studied the legislative process at the US Congress, creating a timeline of the 2014 Farm Bill. I turned data into regressions, then interpreted results in layman's terms in the group project on Ghana's labor market for The World Bank. |
In 2015, I earned a Master of International Affairs degree in International Development & Economic Policy, focusing in International Economic Development and International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGO). Also from the Bush School, I earned a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, with an emphasis on philanthropy and fundraising. This additional experience taught me about the history and role of nonprofits in society and the challenges in managing them (volunteers, expectations, proper use of funds).
Learning about development and the difficulty in applying it in a world impossible to detach from power contests pushed me to seek answers about humanity's current state; thus, my vision returned to history. I decided that the optimal route towards my mission's fulfillment was in continuing my education in the field of history. Since 2015, I have been fortunate to join the University of California, Davis, and currently have the privilege to learn and work alongside an exceptional group of historians and fellow graduate students.
Learning about development and the difficulty in applying it in a world impossible to detach from power contests pushed me to seek answers about humanity's current state; thus, my vision returned to history. I decided that the optimal route towards my mission's fulfillment was in continuing my education in the field of history. Since 2015, I have been fortunate to join the University of California, Davis, and currently have the privilege to learn and work alongside an exceptional group of historians and fellow graduate students.
Awards and Honors
Academic
• [2018] Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching nominee
• [2018] UC Davis Center for Educational Effectiveness Fellow • [2015] James W. McGrew Research Award • [2014] First Place Among Graduate Researchers (TAMU SRW) • [2013] Liberal Arts Honors • [2013] Plenary Honors • [2013] Inquiry Honors • [2013] Foundation Honors • [2013] University Honors • [2013] Conference Excellence Award • [2012] Undergraduate Research Fellow • [2012] Research Paper Award • [2008] National Hispanic Scholar Award |
Financial
• [2020] David L. Boren Fellowship
• [2018] Mellon Racial Capitalism Fellowship • [2018] Feminist Research Institute Fellowship • [2018] UCD Women's Research Center Grant • [2017] Reed-Smith Travel Research Award • [2017] Graduate Student of Color Award • [2016] Tinker Foundation Summer Grant • [2015] UC Davis Provost's Fellowship • [2013, 2014] Puig-Mueller Endowed Fellowship • [2013] Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship • [2012] Texas Top 10% State Scholarship • [2011, 2012] Waco Foundation MAC Grant • [2011] Neal Hahn Memorial Scholarship • [2009] College Board Recognition Award Scholarship • [2009] Fidelis Lodge #1127 A.F. & A.M. Scholarship |
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