PhD Student Profiles
NB: Students earn an en route master's degree in public policy after successful completion of core courses and two comprehensive exams.
Carolyn Arcand
Education: Syracuse University, BA, Accounting and Entrepreneurship
Research Interests: Women's issues, health care policy, environmental policy, and sustainable economic development
Lynda Barros
Education: Gonzaga University, BA, Sociology
Boston College, MSW, Macro Global Practice
Research Interests: Immigration, social inequalities, building institutional capacity at Latino/a nonprofit organizations, and transitioning democracy in Eastern Europe
Allyson Baughman
Education: Boston University, BA, History
Boston University, BS, Human Physiology
University of Southern California, MS, Physical Therapy
Boston University, MPH, Public Health
Research Interest: Health disparities
Michael Berardino
Education: Georgetown University, BA, Government
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research interests: The intersection of English language instruction and high-stakes testing policies, school violence and discipline, civic engagement, and nonprofit organizations.
Sara Bernardo
Education: University of Massachusetts Amherst, BA, Economics and Social Thought and Political Economy
York University (Canada), MA, Political Science
Research Interest: Normalization of high debt to income ratios for the working class in the US
Marija Bingulac
Education: University of Massachusetts Boston, BA, Political Science
Research Interests: Hunger, social movements and nationalism, politics of poverty, race and ethnicity, community mobilization and sustainable solutions
Sandra Blatchford
Education: Clark University, BA, Psychology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MA, Applied Sociology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "A Comparison of Plymouth County, Massachusetts’ and St. Louis County, Minnesota’s Response to Batterers through Programs, Systems and Policy"
Dragana Bolcic-Jankovic
Education: Belgrade University (Serbia), BA, Sociology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MA, Applied Sociology
Research Interests: Public health, health services research, patient safety
Elizabeth Brown
Education: William Smith College, BA, Third World Studies
University of North Carolina, MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education
Research Interests: Health policy and youth development
Morgan Clark
Education: Scripps College, BA, BLA, Political Science, International Relations
University of Ontario (Canada), MPA, Public Administration
Research Interest: Women's policies
Caroline L. Coscia
Education: Regis College, BA, Political Science
Suffolk University, MPA, Public Administration
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: “The Role of Civic Associations in the Conflict Between Universities and their Surrounding Neighborhoods”
Shahid Dad
Education: University of Karachi (Pakistan), BA, War Studies
Peshwar University (Pakistan), BS, Aeronautics
Harvard University, MA, Government
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: Social inequality and social welfare
Elaine Donnelly
Education: Boston College, BA, English and Art
Harvard University, MEd, Education
University of Massachusetts Lowell, MS, Regional Economic and Social Development
Research Interests: Inequities in educational access
Jennifer Douglas
Education: Wesleyan University, BA, American Studies
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "Producing Space: Real Estate Actors and Policy Contexts in a Gentrifying Neighborhood"
Rachel Drew
Education: Dartmouth College, BA, Economics
Research interests: Housing policies
Bunmi Fatoye-Matory
Education: University of Ilfe (Nigeria), BA, English and Education
University of Ibadan (Nigeria), MEd, Sociology of Education
Harvard University, EdM, Language and Literacy
Research Interest: Dispute resolution
Marcella Garcia
Education: DeManila University (Philippines), MBA
University of Massachusetts Boston, MA, Dispute Resolution
Harvard University, MEd, Art Education
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interest: Disability policy
Monica Garlick
Education: Smith College, BA, Biological Sciences
Research Interests: Health policy and economic development
S. Leslie Gleason
Education: Yale University, BA, Biology
Episcopal Divinity School, MA, Theology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: Housing, career development, education and health policy
Alma Halluli
Education: University of Tirana (Albania), BA, Albanian Language and Literature
University of Tirana, MPA, Public Administration
University of Sussex (United Kingdom), MA, European Studies
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interest: Immigration policy
Barbara Hamilton
Education: University of Massachusetts Boston, BA, Economics
Northeastern University, MS, Economic Policy and Planning
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: Labor market policy, environmental policy, quantitative policy analysis
Amy Helburn
Education: Ohio State, BA, Social and Cultural Anthropology
Tulane University, MPH, Community Health Education and Maternal & Child Health
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "Social Risk and Protection: Inequities in Employment-based Benefits and Health Status Among US Workers and Ensuing Implications for Mid-term Economic Mobility"
Sarah Hogue
Education: Text Wesleyan, BS, Christian Education
Texas Women's University, MA, Women's Studies
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: Child/family well-being, human rights, gay and lesbian issues
Brandynn Holgate
Education: University of California Davis, BA, Sociology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MBA, Management
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "Labor Market Intermediation and Flexibility: Case Examples of Regional Innovation Systems in Biotechnology"
Merritt Hughes
Education: Reed College, BA, Economics
University of Massachusetts Amherst, MSc, Environmental and Resource Economics
Research Interests: Organizational theory, e-government, and planning/decision models
Sarah Jalbert
Education: Northeastern University, BA, Sociology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MA, Applied Sociology
Research Interests: Criminal justice, drug addiction, and mental health policies
Sandeep Jani
Education: Rutgers University, BA, Geography
Temple University, MS, Geography and Urban Studies
Research Interests: Urban studies, social enterprises, sustainability, information economy, global cities and second-tier governance
Priyanka Kabir
Education: North-South University (Bangladesh), BA
BRAC University (Bangladesh), MA
Research Interests: Development policy research, information and communications technology for service delivery
Michelle Kahan
Education: Smith College, BA, Government
Brandeis University, MS, Human Services
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: Poverty and hunger, welfare reform, and homelessness
Lisa Kalimon
Education: College of the Holy Cross, BA, Political Science, minor in Economics
The Catholic University of America, MA, International Political Economics
Research Interests: Cost-benefit analyses of government programs and policies related to health care finance
Ndumba Kamwanyah
Education: University of Namibia (Namibia), BA, Social Work
University of Massachusetts Boston, MA, Dispute Resolution
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "The Tower of Babel? Examining Ordinary Citizens’ Perceptions of Reconciliation in Post-Independence Namibia"
Aundrea Kelley
Education: Swarthmore College, AB, Sociology and Anthropology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MBA, Business Administration
University of Massachusetts Boston, MA, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "The Impact of Changing Admissions Standards for Massachusetts Higher Education"
Susan Kelly
Education: University of Massachusetts Amherst, BA, Social Thought and Political Economy
University of Massachusetts Amherst, MPA, Public Administration
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: Education, housing
Ryan Kling
Education: Boston College, BA, Economics
Boston College, MA, Economics
Luke Kupcznk
Education: Rollins College, BA
Research Interests: Justice and human rights, income disparities, diversity in education, and principles of law
Hyun Jung Lee
Education: Konkuk University (South Korea), BSEE, Electrical Engineering
George Mason University, MPP, Public Policy
Aalto University (Finland), MBA
Research Interests: Economic development policy and health policy
Perri Leviss
Education: Tufts University, BA, Sociology
University of Maryland, MS, Public Management
Research Interest: Social outcomes of educational reform and policy-making
Ching-Mei Lin
Education: Shih Hsin University (China), BA, Public Policy
University of Connecticut, MPA, Public Administration
Shih Hsin University , MA, Public Policy and Management
Research Interests: Nonprofit performance and goal-setting
Rumel S. Mahmood
Education: University of Maryland, BA, Government and Politics
University of Maryland, BA, Economics
Washington University, MA
Research Interests: Health care policy and inequality in developing countries
Colleen Manning
Education: Mount Holyoke, BA, Psychology
Tufts University, MA, Child Studies
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "Turnover among Family Child Care Providers: Individual- and State-Level Predictors"
Ronald Marlow
Education: Penn State University, BA
Northeastern University, MA
Research Interests: Poverty, community-based economic development, workforce development, and civil rights
Barbara McGonagle
Education: University of Massachusetts Boston, BA, Economics
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interest: Insurance reform policies
Ryan McLane
Education: Stonehill College, BA, History
Norwich University, MPA, Public Administration
Research Interest: Policies for America’s disabled veterans
Karen Monaghan
Education: University of Stirling (Scotland), BA
University of Ulster (Northern Island), MSW, Social Work
Research Interests: Policy frameworks that grapple with issues of stigma, discrimination, and exclusion, but which are also sensitive to cultural differences between and among societies
Charles Ndungu
Education: Nairobi University (Kenya), BA, English Literature and Linguistics
Pennsylvania State University, MEd, Agricultural Education
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "An Analysis of the Role of Civil Society Actors in the Implementation of a National HIV Policy in Kenya"
David González Nieto
Education: Universidad Complutense, BA, Political Science
University of Massachusetts Boston, MA, Applied Linguistics
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "What's Language Got to do with Policy? The Politics of Language: Experiences and Effects in the United States"
Maria Angelica Pavez Garcia
Education: Catholic University, BA
University of Chile, MS
Research Interests: Implementation processes in municipal government
Howard Payton
Education: US. Naval Academy, BS, Physical Science
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Affairs
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "An Analysis of the Influence of the Supervisory Agency in Determining Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation Grades"
Matthew Poirier
Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BS, Political Science, minor in French
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Affairs
Research Interests: Governance issues in the realms of federalism and state and local relationships
Katia Powell
Education: Emmanuel College, BS, Biochemistry
Research Interests: Policies affecting children, youth and families with a focus on health disparities
Shefali Rajpal
Education: University of Chicago, BS, Economics
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: The impact of international human capital flows on developing countries and the social and political demographic trends/characteristics of the South Asian diaspora in the United States
Ann Robbart
Education: Smith College, AB, American Studies
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: "Just Desert? World War II Veterans Benefits as a Welfare Model and Economic Strategy"
Diana Salas Coronado
Education: Queens College, BA, Anthropology
New York University, MPA, Public Policy
Research Interest: Structural factors that contribute to inequalities in the United States
Ana Maria Sanchez
Education: Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla (Mexico), BA, Political Science
London School of Economics and Political Science, Msc, Management of Non-Governmental Organizations
Research Interests: Human rights, specifically regarding mental health; civil society organizations
Alvine Sangang
Education: Stephen F. Austin State University, BA, Economics
Research Interest: Economic development in Africa
Tanya Stepasiuk
Education: Bates College, BA, Sociology
Case Western Reserve University, JD, Law
Felicia Sullivan
Education: St. Lawrence University, BA, Government
New School for Social Research, MA, Media Studies
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Approved Dissertation Topic: “Engaging Youth: Linking Design and Implementation Choices of Out-of-School Time Programs in Boston to the Development of Political Engagement Attitudes in 14-18 Year Olds”
Risa Takenaka
Education: Eastern Washington University, BA, Economics
Research Interests: Economic development and human rights
Omobukola Usidame
Education: University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria), BA, Human Physiology
Clark University, MPA, Public Administration
Research Interests: Nigerian healthcare policies
Steven Viveiros
Education: Stonehill College, BA, Mathematics, Foreign Languages
Northeastern University, MS, Student Development/Counseling
Northeastern University, Graduate Certificate, Nonprofit Management
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Policy
Research Interests: College readiness and success, developmental education in postsecondary setting, higher education policy
Ryan Whalen
Education: University of Vermont, BA, Political Science, minor in Sociology
University of Massachusetts Boston, MS, Public Affairs
Research Interest: Social policy
Hsin-Chin Wu
Education: National Chengchi University (China), BA
University of New York, MA, American Studies and Arts Management
Research Interest: Sustainable management models for arts and cultural organizations, especially museums
Robert Zarnetske
Education: University of Oregon, JD, Law
Harvard, MEd,
University of Connecticutt, MA, Political Science
Research Interests: Citizenship, community membership, civic discourse, state and regional identity and the relationship between citizens and government
Ghazal Zulfiqar
Education: University of Karachi (Pakistan), BBA, Finance
University of Karachi, MBA, Finance
University of London, MS, Development Finance
Research Interests: Poverty and inequality in transitional societies.
