Current Student Profiles
Eddie Aquino
Position: Senior Project Manager, Pennington Construction Advisors, Inc.
Education: Master of Science in Civil Engineering, San Jose State University; Master of Science in Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Bachelor of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley
Faculty Advisor: Dr. John Loper/Dr. Christian Redfearn
Eddie has over 15 years of experience as a construction project manager in the commercial real estate industry. His research examines policies that impact real estate development construction projects that attract and retain foreign direct investments in the U.S.
Ajarat Bada
Position: Managing Principal Consultant, Lampost Consulting
Education: Master of Arts in Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University; Master of Public Health, Loma Linda University; Bachelor of Nursing, Drexel University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Grace Bahng
Ajarat is a registered nurse, and an experienced leader in healthcare systems design. She is also deeply engaged in global policy advocacy to advance the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Ajarat’s research focus is the intersection of religion, women’s issues, and international development policy. Her writing has been published in two books, Innovating South South Cooperation (Besada, Tok, & Polonenko, 2019), and We Will Lead Africa (Gilpin-Jackson, Owusu, & Okonkwo, 2017).
Kelly Busta
Position: Senior Threat Assessment Officer, University of Southern California
Education: Master of Arts in Higher Education, University of Denver; Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society, University of Denver
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lois Takahashi
Kelly’s professional expertise is in threat assessment and targeted violence prevention. She currently oversees planning and responses at USC’s Healthcare Enterprise. Her research interest is specific strategies to prevent violence within healthcare systems.
Sonja Castañeda-Cudney
Position: Program Specialist & Research Coordinator, Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics at USC Gould School of Law.
Education: Master of Arts in Urban Education Policy, Brown University; Bachelor of Science in Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Faculty Advisor: TBD
Sonja is interested in mental health care policies and service delivery systems, specifically perinatal mental health. Sonja has led research initiatives at the Saks Institute since 2017. Her previous experience includes teaching in both domestic and international schools.
Brad Coffey
Position: Group Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Education: Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech; Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech; Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio Bento
Brad leads the Water Resource Management Group at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, where he has worked since 1990. His team plans for the region’s long-term water supply, preparing for drought and changing climate. His research examines the potential for regional decision-making to improve access to safe drinking water.
Katherine (Kit) Cole
Position: Founder, Kit Cole Consulting
Education: Master of Public Administration, USC; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of California, Davis
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bill Leach
Katherine’s consulting focus is on community outreach and engagement, especially engaging with hostile communities around big infrastructure.
Sandra Cuevas
Position: Deputy Director, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Pacific AIDS Education Training Center, and Technical Assistance Provider Innovation Network (TAP-IN)
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, California State University, Los Angeles
Faculty Advisor: Dr. LaVonna Lewis
In her professional role, Sandra advances innovative public health strategies to improve the HIV care continuum. Her research interest is public policy related to advancing social, political, and structural change to achieve health equity and end the HIV epidemic.
Diana Dimapindan
Position: Faculty Affairs Manager, USC Viterbi School of Engineering; Health Policy Instructor in USC’s Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) Program
Education: Master of Health Administration, USC; Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Mount Saint Mary’s University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. LaVonna Lewis
Diana’s professional experience is in higher education. Her research examines family caregiving, filial responsibilities, and healthcare utilization within the Filipino-American community.
Chung-Yu (Alan) Fong
Position: Foreign Service Officer, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Education: Master of Arts in International Public Policy and Management, USC Price; Master of Arts in International Relations and World Politics, University of Leicester; Bachelor of Arts in Public Finance, National Cheng-Chi University;
Faculty Advisor: TBD
Alan has worked for Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010. From 2016-2018, he observed negotiations related to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Since then, he has led efforts to align Taiwan’s environmental policy with these UN objectives. He hopes to research super-aged societies and environmental sustainability to support his home country in shaping policies to counter these pressing issues.
Vincent Gabriel
Position: Director of Operations, Global Goods Express
Education: Master of Business Administration, American International College; Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Juliet Musso
Vincent’s research explores the use of artificial intelligence to transform and disrupt public policy. His professional experience includes work as a manufacturing engineer for General Electric and an operations officer for the US Army.
Jessica Hefes
Position: Director, Urban Arts Labs; Co-founder, Just the Ticket
Education: Master of Laws in International Law and International Relations, Lancaster University; Master of Laws, The University of Hong Kong; Bachelor of Laws, University of Westminster
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lois Takahashi
Jessica is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, with expertise in legal, business and strategic advice as well as cultural development. Her research interests include reproductive rights, reproductive technologies, sociology of work, remuneration and benefits, and social innovation.
Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr.
Position: Assemblymember, State Assembly, CA District 59
Education: Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, USC
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Erroll Southers
Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer was elected to the State Legislature in 2012 and re-elected in 2014 and 2016. His history of public service includes serving as the Director of Asset Management for Los Angeles and Assistant Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles. His primary research interest is the transformation of the criminal justice system.
Matt Lazari
Position: Senior Director of Finance, Ballad Health; Adjunct Professor, American College of Healthcare Executives
Education: Master of Health Administration, USC; Bachelor of Science in Biology/Business, California State University, Stanislaus
Faculty Advisor: Dr. John Romley
Matt’s research interest is improving access, lowering cost, and improving the quality of care in healthcare through reimbursement drivers.
Terri Mosqueda
Vice President Development & Donor Relations, California Community Foundation
Education: Master of Public Administration, USC Price; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Stanford
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alex Graddy-Reed
Terri has worked for the California Community Foundation since 2008, and currently oversees fundraising of over $200 million annually. She serves as a board member for the Social Justice Learning Institute, LINC Housing, and the Korean American Foundation of Los Angeles. Terri plans to research the impact of the pandemic on non-profit fundraising methods.
Cameron Mundo
Education: Bachelor of Science in American Indian Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Filmmaking Practices, Arizona State University; Master of Arts in GIS and American Indian Studies, Arizona State University; Master of Studies in Law, USC Gould.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Juliet Musso
Cameron is a member of the Jicarillo Apache Nation and has served as an advisory board member for the Tribal Historic Preservation Office since 2021. His research interests include tribal water rights, tribal sovereignty, and relationships between recognized tribes, state governments, and the U.S. federal government.
Christina Paddock
Position: Clinical Associate Professor, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Education: Master of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Government, Claremont McKenna College
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christine Beckman
Tina’s professional expertise includes public child welfare, developmental disabilities, local government and nonprofit management. She is a board member of the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Her research examines child care options in LA County and the experiences of working parents.
Hossein Pourmand
Position: Senior Executive Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations, USC
Education: Master of Business Administration, Pepperdine University; Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Julie Zissimopoulos
Hossein’s professional expertise is in finance and fundraising. His research is focused on public health issues, particularly related to Alzheimers Disease
Mario Salazar
Executive Director of Public Policy, Comcast NBCUniversal
Education: Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University; Master of Liberal Arts, Harvard University; Master of Business Administration, Duke University; Juris Doctor, New York Law School.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dora Kingsley
Mario began his career in campaign management, with roles in both Obama/Biden presidential campaigns (2008, 2012). His policy advocacy experience includes positions with BCW Global and APCO. Mario plans to research technological adoption, diffusion of innovations, and social impact theory. His long-term goal is to increase the impact of programs that expand broadband infrastructure and reduce cost barriers to internet access in disadvantaged communities.
Christopher Schnieders
Position: Director, Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics, USC Gould School of Law
Education: Master of Arts in English/Creative Writing, San Francisco State University; Bachelor of Arts in English, Loyola Marymount University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Deborah Natoli
In his professional role, Chris oversees development, planning, and implementation of research and activities related to mental health law, policy, and ethics. His particular research interest is in public policy and programs that impact mental health and autonomy for people with psychiatric disabilities.
Dawn Schock
Position: Self-employed Rule of Law Development Consultant, Attorney; Adjunct Instructor, Loyola Law School
Education: Juris Doctor, McGeorge School of Law; Master of English, Long Island University; Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, University of North Dakota
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peter Robertson
Dawn’s professional expertise includes International rule of law development, justice sector reform, and gender in the legal profession. She intends to research international rule of law development with a focus on women legal professionals.
Holly Priebe Sotelo
Position: Clinical Associate Professor, Field Education, USC School of Social Work
Education: Master of Social Work, California State University of Long Beach; Bachelor of Rehabilitation Services, California State University of Los Angeles
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Deborah Natoli
Holly’s professional expertise includes the prevention of human trafficking, school-based violence and crisis response, interpersonal and inter-group conflict and mediation, child abuse and family violence. She is researching public school programs to prevent human trafficking.
Sara Straubel
Position: Program Officer, The Ahmanson Foundation
Education: Master of Education, Harvard University; Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Ithaca College
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nicole Esparza
Sara’s professional expertise is in philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative grantmaking. Her research interests include implicit racial bias, trust-based philanthropy, and social justice.
Candace Teixeira
Position: Associate Dean of Corporate Engagement and Programs, USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Education: Master of Arts in Communication Management and Information Technology, USC; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Information Systems, USC
Faculty Advisor: Dr. James Moore
Candace serves on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Engineering Educators, Continuing Professional Development Division. Her research focuses on the development of continuing engineering education programs.
Andrew Theisen
Emergency and Continuity Manager, Office of the Chancellor, California State University
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Arizona State University; Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration, California State University, Long Beach
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Adam Rose
Andrew is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), with expertise in emergency services management, IT disaster recovery, and risk management. He worked for the City of Long Beach Harbor Department for five years, and at USC for two years before starting his current position. Andrew’s primary research interests are disaster risk reduction in rural communities and emerging technologies to support disaster management.
Jason Townsell
Position: Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety, Paramount Pictures; Founder and President, Partners for Water; Adjunct Instructor, Citrus College
Education: Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration, California State University, Long Beach; Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Administration, Waldorf University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bill Leach
Jason’s professional expertise is in occupational safety/health and emergency response. Through his nonprofit organization, Jason oversees water management and sustainability projects in Nigeria. His research focuses on corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and development in under-resourced places.
Jeffrey Zychowski
Position: Director of Real Estate and Property Management, Loyola Marymount University
Education: Master of Real Estate Development, USC; Master of Business Administration, Cal State, Dominguez Hills; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, San Diego State University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard Green
Jeffrey’s research interest is workforce housing solutions. He currently oversees housing programs for Loyola Marymount University, where he also assists with acquisitions, property management, and real estate development. Previously, Jeffrey managed USC’s workforce housing programs, including the USC Neighborhood Homeownership Program.