Research Interns

Syeda Aqeel (CDS ’25) is a Master’s student in Data Science at Boston University, with a strong interest in applying computational methods to social science research. Raised between Islamabad, Nanjing, Washington, D.C., and Dubai, she brings a globally informed perspective to her work. This summer, she served as a research assistant on two doctoral projects at the Center for Innovation in Social Science. She collaborated with Ph.D. candidate Ana Coscia on a project examining prehistoric lithic technology and settlement patterns in coastal Croatia, where she built a relational archaeological database and applied network analyses to interpret site-level technological similarities. She also contributed to an econometric study led by Ph.D. candidate Martin Aucoin, analyzing how domestic shocks in The Gambia—such as political transitions, ecological strain, and economic shifts—impact U.S. poultry export flows. In addition to her academic work, Syeda serves as a Teaching Assistant for DS 380: Data, Society & AI Ethics and as a Sailing Assistant at the BU Sailing Pavilion. (Mentor: Ana Barun Coscia/Archeology)

Shengyi Huang (CAS ’26) is a rising senior pursuing double majors in Religious Studies and Socio-Cultural Anthropology with a minor in History. Shengyi is particularly interested in the anthropology of religion, with research focusing on the role of religion in public life, religious philanthropy, interreligious relationships, and religions in China. This summer, Shengyi is working with Tyler Fuller, a PhD candidate in the Department of Religion, on his research project regarding American Catholics’ response to COVID-19. Shengyi has earned certification in Human Subjects Protection Training (Social & Behavioral Focus) through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program). She is currently transcribing and organizing interview content conducted by Tyler Fuller, while ensuring ethical confidentiality throughout the process. The project: Catholic Prevention Narratives of COVID-19 (Mentor: Tyler Fuller, CAS/Religion). 

Eliza Lamont (CAS ’26) is a rising senior from Bedford, New Hampshire, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Journalism. This summer, she is working as a research assistant and intern under Dr. Tatiana Padilla on the Rise of Immigration Raids: Spacial, Temporal, and Demographic Patterns project. The project aims to document the frequency and geographic distribution of immigration raids over time in the US, to unveil the characteristics of communities affected by these raids, and to gain deeper insights into how communities experience and cope with US immigration enforcement practices. In addition to her studies, Eliza works on campus for the Boston University Libraries and Admissions Office. The project: Rise of Immigration Raids: Spatial, Temporal and Demographic Patterns project (Mentor: Tatiana Padilla/CISS)

Cindy Pino (PAR ’26) is a rising senior from Waterbury, Connecticut, majoring in International Relations with a concentration in Foreign Policy and Security Studies, complemented with a minor in Business Administration. This summer, she is working as a research intern for the Rise of Immigration Raids: Spatial, Temporal and Demographic Patterns project, under Dr. Tatiana Padilla, where she investigates various immigration enforcement practices within the United States. She aims to contribute to the field by producing research that informs policy, challenges inequities, and amplifies the voices of marginalized communities. On campus, Cindy writes for the International Relations Review (IRR) and works as an intern for Foundation Relations at BU. The project: Rise of Immigration Raids: Spatial, Temporal and Demographic Patterns project (Mentor: Tatiana Padilla/CISS)

CISS 2025 Summer Writing in the Social Sciences Internship Showcase Program

Shayla Brown (CAS ’26) is a rising senior from Rochester, New York, majoring in Anthropology with a focus on social justice and advocacy work. Outside the classroom, she plays on BU’s Division I women’s soccer team and is an active member of Student Athletes of Color and Athlete Ally – student groups that promote safe, inclusive athletic spaces. Her passion for advocacy began in childhood through volunteering with her parents’ nonprofit, A Place to Stand, which focuses on education, equity, and support for marginalized communities. Their work continues to inspire her commitment to social justice on campus and in her future career, where she hopes to combine her interests in equity, cultural studies, the arts, and activism. This summer, Shayla is interning at the Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS), where she publishes articles and profiles highlighting student and faculty research and manages social media content.

Joshua Emokpae (CAS ’26) is a rising senior with a double major in political science and classical civilization. This summer, Josh worked at the Center for Forced Displacement under the guidance of Dr. Carrie Preston, writing several profiles for students who participated in the Border Studies Program this past Spring, as well as those in the Summer Program on Forced Migration and Borders in Belgrade during the summer.

Sofia Sanchez (CAS ’26) is a rising senior majoring in Archaeological and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Theatre Arts. Her interdisciplinary academic pursuits focus on the intersections of culture, environment, and ethics, emphasizing how communities interact with and are influenced by environmental factors. This summer, Sofia’s work at the Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) involves crafting narratives that highlight the experiences of graduate fellows and interns, particularly those associated with initiatives like the Clean Energy and Environment Legacy Transition (CELT) and the Campus Climate Lab. Her research delves into conservation ethics, especially concerning non-European religious traditions, underscoring the importance of cultural inclusion in sustainability efforts

Xiaowei”Kiwi” Yang (CAS ’27/Sociology) is a rising junior at Boston University double majoring in Sociology and Business Administration. This summer, Kiwi has been working with the Boston University Arts and Sciences Communications team and the Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS) as a writing intern. During her time at the CISS, Kiwi has had the opportunity to interview faculty and create academic content for the center. Outside of SWIP, Kiwi takes classes in Managerial Accounting and Information Systems and enjoys jogging on the Esplanade. She also serves as a Dean’s Host at CAS and Admissions Ambassador at BU Admissions during the school year.

Youssef Souayah (CAS ’27) is a rising junior from Boston, MA double majoring in data science and political science. He is interested in Middle Eastern studies, machine learning, and migration. On campus, Youssef is involved in Phi Alpha Delta, CDS Toastmasters, and the BU North African Student Organization. This summer, Youssef is interning at the Center for Forced Displacement, where he profiled students from the Spring 2025 Border Studies Program and drew on the Center’s resources to advance his research on Immigration in the MENA region.

CISS 2025 Undergraduate Research Showcase Program

Ananya Agarwal (CAS ’25) is a senior pursuing a joint major in Economics and Mathematics, with minors in Data Science and Business. With a background as a research assistant at the BU Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center), Ananya contributed to a developmental economics study focused on policy interventions in family planning in India. She has a strong interest in using data science and analytics to create technology-driven, sustainable solutions for real-world challenges. In her upcoming internship with the GDP Center, Ananya will collaborate with faculty on research projects related to contraceptive use and family planning in India and Malawi. This role offers a valuable opportunity to engage with experts in economic development and deepen her skills in impactful research. Her project will examine the combined effectiveness of three targeted interventions designed to expand women’s access to family planning and reproductive health services in both countries. The project: Joint effectiveness of three interventions aimed to increase women’s access to family planning and reproductive health services in Malawi and India (Mentor: Mahesh Karra/GDP Center)

Malvika Dey (CAS’26) is a junior pursuing a joint major in Economics and Mathematics, with a minor in Computer Science. Her research interests lie in sustainability and economic development, focusing on policy analysis and socioeconomic challenges. She aims to contribute to the field by using research and data-driven approaches to inform policy decisions. During this internship, Malvika will be working with faculty at the BU Global Development Policy Center on projects related to contraceptive use and family planning in India and Malawi. This opportunity will allow her to collaborate with experts and further develop her skills in economic development research. A fun fact about Malvika is that she can speak four languages, which helps her connect with people from different backgrounds. The project: Joint effectiveness of three interventions aimed to increase women’s access to family planning and reproductive health services in Malawi and India (Mentor: Mahesh Karra/GDP Center)

Kaitlin Howlett (CAS ’25) is a senior studying History with a minor in French. This semester Kaitlin is completing a honors history thesis on social mobilization around fisheries management during the Massachusetts cod crisis at the end of the 20th century, she focuses her research interests around social and working class American history. Participating in the CISS undergraduate research program for a second year, Kaitlin will continue her work with Dr. Paula Austin on the project: Mapping Southwest: Counter-Mapping (Segregation and) Black Life in the Jim Crow Capital. Using digital archival repositories and newspapers, Kaitlin and Dr. Austin will work to locate and map the lives of Black youth and their families who lived in a segregated, Jim Crow, Washington, D.C. during the late Progressive Era. The project: Mapping Southwest: Counter-Mapping (Segregation and) Black Life in the Jim Crow Capital (Mentor: Paula Austin, History & African American and Black Diaspora Studies/CAS)

Devangi Lamba (CAS ’27) is a sophomore studying Biology CMG and minoring in Psychology. During her CISS internship, she will be working on a project investigating the quality of life and experiences of Parkinson’s Disease in minority racial and ethnic groups. Devangi is passionate about working with a population that is oftentimes overlooked in research and hopes to grow her data analysis skills. The project: Assessment of the Experience of Parkinson’s Disease in Members of Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups (Mentor: Alice Cronin-Golomb, CAS/Psychological & Brain Sciences)

Seungjoo “Ashley” Lee (CAS ’27) a sophomore majoring in Psychology. During her CISS internship, she will be looking through the experiences of racial/ethnic groups in Parkinson’s Disease. My research career and interest lie in studying different psychological phenomena, especially how they influence our brain and cognition. Through the internship, she want to gain more knowledge about the practical applications of psychological theories and develop skills in data analysis and client interactions. Fun fact: she developed a huge interest in Psychology after reading a psychology comic book! The project: Assessment of the Experience of Parkinson’s Disease in Members of Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups (Mentor: Alice Cronin-Golomb, CAS/Psychological & Brain Sciences)

Ingrid Marques Reginato (CAS ’26) is a junior majoring in Sociology with a minor in Anthropology and the Core Curriculum. This year she will be working on a multinational research project employing the focus group approach to study how social interaction and everyday conversations shape people’s beliefs about wealth inequality and redistribution. Ingrid is excited to hone her research skills and gain experience with focus groups, as well as understand how different cultures understand and make sense of inequality. She believes this experience will provide her with exceptional preparation for a senior thesis and graduate studies, as well as a great foundation in social sciences research. The project: WealthTalks: Studying Everyday Conversations About Wealth and Inequality (Mentor: Jonathan Mijs, CAS/Sociology)

Casey Rogers (Sargent ’25) is a senior studying Health Sciences at Sargent College. He will be exploring literature for best cases to illustrate particular concepts; providing feedback on their experience of a particular chapter (as a prospective student reading the textbook); or reviewing articles and developing annotated bibliographies. The project: Towards Political Competence in Public Health: Navigating Complex Interests and Institutions (Mentor: Joseph Harris, CAS/Sociology and Rick Donnor, Emory University)

Andrew Severance (CAS ’25) is a fourth-year studying Economics on the BA/MA track, with a second major in Political Science and a minor in Data Science. Andrew is originally from Boise, Idaho. His research in the Political Science department focuses on the political methodology surrounding crime rates and their effects on electoral trends. His other interests include economic development and urban policy. Outside of CISS, Andrew is a Co-President of the BU International Affairs Association, a Resident Assistant within BU’s South Campus neighborhood, and a DJ at WTBU. If he’s somehow not doing any of those, you can probably find him traveling (or trying to plan his next trip), endlessly talking about his love for Australia, and cheering on the McLaren Formula 1 team. The project: Evaluation of voters holding politicians accountable for crime—do they reward incumbent politicians for low crime rates and punish them for higher rates (Mentor: Arjun Vishwanath, CAS/Political Science)

Alex Streisand (CAS ’25, SPH ’25) is a senior pursuing a degree in Sociology and a Master’s of Public Health. Alex’s research and career interests lie at the intersection of public health and social change, with a focus on mental and behavioral health and policy. Driven by a belief in community-based solutions and interventions, Alex is looking forward to working with Professor Miller to explore the intersectional impacts that real and perceived school shooting threats have on youth. The project: Exploring the Intersectional Impacts of School Shooting Threats (Mentor: Sarah Miller, CAS/Sociology & WGS)

Thao Thiem (CAS ’26) is a Junior studying Economics and Mathematics. She will focus on constructing a franchise-address file, analyzing the relationship between Franchising and labor market outcomes using the best possible administrative data for the United States and usiing this data to systematically explore whether wages and job stability differ between franchising and non-franchising employers and between franchisor owned and franchisee operated establishments. The project: Franchising and Labor Market Outcomes (Mentor: Johannes Schmieder, CAS/Economics)

Kiko Yoshihira (CAS ’26) is a sophomore pursuing joint majors in Political Science and Environmental Analysis and Policy. She hopes to use her knowledge of policy to pursue a career in environmental justice and is interested in environmental equity issues like drinking water access. During her internship, Kiko will be working with Professor Simes to create a database of prison policies to study the impact of climate change on prisons. Specifically, she will focus on the effect of harsh prison conditions like extreme heat on the mortality of incarcerated people. The project: How Harsh Prison Conditions Generate Excess Mortality Among Incarcerated Populations (Mentor: Jessica Simes, CAS/Sociology)