I am an Associate Professor at Georgetown University in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service where I am the Director of the Asian Studies Program.

My research examines various forms of political violence (including communal violence and civil wars), the political economy of development, politically-affiliated gangs, smuggling, and international relations in Southeast Asia. The geographic focus of my research is primarily in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia 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.

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).