Research

Research

Current Projects

Food Systems and Agricultural Resilience in Eastern Europe

My current graduate research examines how food systems in Eastern Europe adapt to political, economic, and environmental challenges. I’m particularly interested in the intersection of state policy, agricultural practices, and food security in the post-Soviet space.

Thesis Research (In Development): Preparing for fieldwork in Czechia to examine agricultural cooperation models and their role in regional food security strategies. This work is supported by a FLAS Fellowship for Czech language study.

Ukrainian Agriculture and Environmental Resilience

As a Policy Researcher with the U.S. Department of Interior (Summer 2024), I conducted mixed-methods research on Ukrainian agricultural systems and their resilience to conflict and environmental stressors. This work produced briefing materials for U.S. and Ukrainian government officials.

Past Research

The Soviet Stolovaya and 1991: A Culture of Food Aid Before and After the USSR

Undergraduate Honors Thesis, UT Austin College of Natural Sciences

This thesis analyzed the evolution of the Soviet Union’s stolovaya (cafeteria) system as a form of public food aid, using qualitative methods including:

  • Interviews with individuals who experienced the Soviet food system
  • Content analysis of Soviet film and media
  • Historical research on state welfare policies

The research explored how state welfare, food culture, and national identity intersected from early Soviet history through the post-1991 privatization era, revealing how food aid systems both reflected and shaped social relations.

The Food System of Bahrain: Analyzing Risks and Possibilities

Undergraduate Capstone White Paper, UT Austin College of Liberal Arts

This applied research project assessed food security challenges in Bahrain, examining:

  • Historical fisheries and land use patterns
  • Trade relationships and import dependence
  • Climate change vulnerabilities and population growth pressures
  • Traditional crop systems and potential for hydroponic cultivation

The paper proposed food sovereignty strategies that leverage traditional knowledge while incorporating modern agricultural technologies.

Plant Genomics and Epigenetics Research

Chen Lab, UT Austin Department of Molecular Biosciences (2018-2021)

Conducted molecular biology research on plant genomics and epigenetics for three years, developing skills in:

  • PCR and gel electrophoresis
  • DNA/RNA extraction and purification
  • Bacterial and plant transformation techniques
  • GFP phenotyping and fluorescence microscopy
  • Statistical analysis using R for data visualization and interpretation

Research Methods & Tools

Quantitative Methods

  • Statistical Software: R (ggplot2, dplyr, can work with Stata datasets), Python (Pandas, NumPy)
  • Database Management: SQL
  • Spatial Analysis: ArcGIS (basic proficiency)
  • Survey Design: Qualtrics

Qualitative Methods

  • Software: MAXQDA for qualitative data analysis
  • Techniques: Semi-structured interviews, participant observation, discourse analysis
  • Multilingual Research: Transcription and analysis in Russian, Arabic, Ukrainian

Laboratory Techniques

  • Molecular biology protocols (PCR, transformation, microscopy)
  • Greenhouse and laboratory maintenance
  • Equipment calibration and experimental tracking

Conference Participation & Professional Development

Presentations

  • “CAP Common Agricultural Policy Funding Mechanisms” - A Policy Blueprint for Ukraine’s European Union Integration Workshop, Warsaw, Poland (July 2025)

Conference Attendance & Organization

  • European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS) Conference, Riga, Latvia (July 2025)
  • A Policy Blueprint for Ukraine’s European Union Integration Workshop, Warsaw, Poland (July 2025) (Workshop organizing team and presenter)
  • Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) Annual Convention, Boston, MA (November 2024)
  • Russia in Contemporary World History: A Hinge Nation in a Multipolar World?, UT Austin (November 2024)
  • Climate Adaptation Scenario Planning Workshop for Ukraine’s Food Security, LBJ Washington Center (October 22-24, 2024) (Workshop organizing team)
  • Texas Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (TREEES) Conference, UT Austin (2023)

Presentations

Presentations to be added as research develops.

Ongoing Collaborations

My research benefits from collaborations with faculty across multiple departments at UT Austin, including the LBJ School of Public Affairs, the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies, and international partners in Eastern Europe.

For more information about specific projects or potential collaborations, please contact me.