Research Assistants

People

The Sié Center is home to numerous research projects designed to enhance the Korbel School's core educational goals by actively involving students as research assistants. The research projects—focused on emerging issues in security and foreign policy—seek to improve knowledge within the academic, public, and policy spheres. This is accomplished with the help of dozens of MA and PhD student research assistants guided by the Sié Center's faculty. Together, the faculty and students produce policy-relevant research using cutting-edge tools and technologies. Students are encouraged to play crucial roles in developing and analyzing new data, thus enhancing program efficiency while encouraging skill development of graduate research assistants. 

Current Student Research Assistants

Ph.D. Research Fellows

  • Sinduja Raja

    Sinduja Raja is a Doctoral Student in International Studies from India at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. She is also Project Manager of Women’s Rights After War, a project jointly funded by the UKRI’s Global Challenges Research Fund and the National Science Foundation. She was one of ten awardees of the Sié Fellowship and scholarship from the Sié Center. Prior to this, she obtained a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Her current research interests are in understanding the gendered relationship between state, society and violence. 

 

Graduate & Undergraduate Research Assistants

  • Sevde Acabay Oguc

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  • Dipasa Bista

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  • Adela Araujo Briseno

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  • Zariah Brown
    Zariah stands with her arms crossed across her chest as she smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer and a white button-down shirt, and her hair in twisted locs sits in an updo atop her head with two face-framing twists on either side. The background is completely white.

    Zariah Brown is a proud second-generation Jamaican immigrant and resident of Gainesville, Florida. She completed a double major in Sociology and Political science at the University of Florida while working as a Language Assistant at their English Language Institute. There, she was exposed to many international students, world cultures, and a passion for education. This led her to spend two semesters working with the State Department in the Virtual Student Federal Service. This internship allowed her to contribute to US strategic goals in Yemen and Pakistan through educational training and outreach. She later studied abroad in Argentina to hone her Spanish speaking skills and learn more about the political context and racial history of the country. However, a highlight of that experience was a trip to Brazil. She fell in love with the country and started studying Portuguese. A year later she returned as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in a federal university in Pato Branco, Paraná. During her grant she was able to mentor two students through the US application process, develop content to teach highschoolers English through TikToks, and improve her Portuguese. When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Brown enjoys going to brunch, dancing, hammocking, and cheering for the Florida Gators! She is excited to complete a Master’s in Foreign Relations through the Rangel Fellowship and looks forward to further exploring the Public Diplomacy cone when she graduates.

  • Sabine Caplin

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  • Mary Cates

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  • Steven Grayson Douglas

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  • Sheida Sam Esmaeeli

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  • Lyin Ghadri

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  • Greg Gillen

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  • Steven Gu

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  • Priya Guduru

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  • Norair Hevorkian

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  • Ashley Houlihan

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  • Hridi (Faizaa Fariya) Hridi

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  • Bido Ibrahim

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  • David Kelm

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  • Mina Khadem

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  • Elijah Kruger

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  • Anna Kulikova
    Anna, a young woman with brown hair tied back into a low ponytail and her hands at her sides, smiles softly as she stands outside of a brick and concrete building. She is wearing a purple blouse with a floral motif and brown trousers.

    I come from Saint Petersburg, Russia. I got my bachelor's degree in Management from Saint Petersburg State University, and I also had an exchange semester at the University of South Carolina. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in Global Environmental Sustainability at the University of Denver, and I am also doing a certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility. 

    My research interests include Eastern European studies, international business, and ESG initiatives. I enjoy baking, ice skating, hiking, and horseback riding.

  • Zairel Luna

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  • Noah Meyer

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  • Anugya Mishra

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  • Sylvia Morna Freitas

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  • Grace Naegelen

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  • Regan Parish
    Regan, a young woman with light brown hair pulled back in a half-updo, smiles up at the camera. She is wearing a blue pinstripe shirt with lace detailing on the sleeves, and she stands among out-of-focus greenery outside.

    Regan Parish is a 4th year undergraduate student originally from Broomfield, CO. At DU, she is pursuing a BA in International Studies with a concentration in International Security, Organizations & Human Rights, and a BS in Biochemistry with honors & distinction. She applies her undergraduate studies at the Sié Center as one of Professor Kaplan’s research assistants working on topics of international peace & security. With a keen interest in conflict & security studies, she is currently immersed in similar research regarding the Middle East as an intern with the Department of Defense & the Defense Intelligence Agency. Additionally, she contributes to the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures as a research aid on their Country & Organization Leader Travel team. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys learning the French language, creating music with the violin and piano, and practicing golf or tennis on weekends. Post-graduation, she aspires to embark on a public service career dedicated to addressing issues of international peace and security.

  • Carly Paul

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  • Ahmad Saleem

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  • Taubie Sanders

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  • Ayam Shrestha

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  • Avantika Singh
    Avantika, a young woman with long, curly brown hair, smiles up at the camera as she wears a pink patterned blouse under a gray blazer embellished with birds. The background is completely white.

    Born and raised in India, Avantika's academic and professional journey has taken her across continents, with experiences in the United States, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Currently pursuing a second MA in International Human Rights, she serves as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security & Diplomacy.

    Avantika's commitment to human rights advocacy is evident in her work with the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development in Nepal, where she focused on monitoring and reporting human rights violations across South Asia including the Taliban's 2021 takeover in Afghanistan. Her research portfolio includes investigations into genocidal rapes in Bosnia, policy proposals for rehabilitating trafficking victims, and migration policy formulation in Papua New Guinea with the UN - IOM.

    Avantika holds an MA in Development & International Studies and an Advanced Diploma in International Humanitarian Law. She finds joy in traveling, swimming, shopping, thrifting, discovering cute cafes, and staying active. Her passion lies at the intersection of human rights and humanitarian policy, with a keen interest in mass atrocity prevention, transitional justice,  digital investigations and debunking misinformation and disinformation.

  • Jess Stanfill

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  • Shreya Subedi

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  • Rosepetal Van de Graaf

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  • Jacquelyn Weaver

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  • Merle Weidt
    Merle, a young woman with light blonde hair down to her shoulders, smiles at the camera as she wears a gray blazer and white shirt. She stands in front of a white background.

    Merle Weidt is a Graduate Student in the International Security Studies Program and focuses on Energy and Environmental Security. Growing up in a sustainable household in Germany shaped her belief that climate change is an existential security threat and inspired her focus on environmental security. 

    During her time as Research Associate at New America, Merle has analyzed international and domestic energy policies and seen the impacts of climate change on communities around the world. As an international D1 athlete, Merle has also experienced the struggles of intercultural communication, which contributed to her interest in languages and global studies. She has a BA in Global Studies from the University of Arizona, where she also worked as an undergraduate research assistant. Merle enjoys skiing, hiking, cooking, or playing with her dog.

  • Trinity Wobler

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  • Jamie Yarrington

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How to Become a Research Assistant

Students conduct meaningful research, have opportunities for publication, and participate in Sié Center events as valued members of our community. Read more about our current cohort of research assistants below.  

All research assistant opportunities are listed on Pioneer Careers PCO.  Faculty will directly advertise their research assistance needs here.

In general, applicants must be proficient in MS Word and MS Excel, have exceptional internet research skills, and be comfortable learning and using new technology. Applicants should be able to work independently, but also enjoy working in an office environment with others. 

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