I am the founding Rector of Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific and an Associate Professor at Georgetown University in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. From 2022, I led the effort to establish Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific, Georgetown’s new branch in Jakarta, Indonesia, which was established in January 2025. The branch aims to be a hub of innovation and learning focused squarely on meeting the challenges of the Global South and Asia Pacific.

As a scholar, my research examines the political economy of development and Southeast Asia, democracy, political violence (including communal violence and civil wars), politically-affiliated gangs, border enforcement and smuggling, and international relations in Southeast Asia. The geographic focus of my research is primarily in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Timor Leste, and the Philippines, where I have conducted extensive fieldwork.

I have written a book published by Cambridge University Press and peer reviewed articles published in the American Journal of Political Science, American Political Science Review, International Organization, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of East Asian Studies, and Journal of Southeast Asian Economies.

Previously I served as Director of the Asian Studies Program at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. Prior to my appointment at Georgetown, I was an Assistant Professor of political science at UC Riverside and a fellow at Yale University in the Order, Conflict, and Violence Program. I have been a consultant for the World Bank and United Nations Development Program and have worked at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

I received a Ph.D. in Public Policy (2009) and MPA in International Development (2003) from Harvard University and a B.A. in physics from Swarthmore College (1999).