RESEARCH PROFILE
Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science at the University of Toronto specializing in innovation policy, regional economic development, sustainability transitions, and the political economy of green industrial transformation. My research examines how carbon-intensive regions adapt to technological and economic change, with a particular focus on critical minerals, mining, industrial restructuring, and regional innovation systems.
I combine quantitative and computational methods – including econometrics, network analysis, machine learning, NLP, GIS, and large-scale patent data analysis – with qualitative fieldwork and policy-oriented research. My work sits at the intersection of political science, economic geography, and industrial policy, and has been supported by institutions including the Fulbright Program, the Innovation Policy Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and UCLA.
Research interests: innovation policy; industrial policy; regional development; sustainability transitions; economic geography; critical minerals; green technologies; political economy; computational social science.
EDUCATION
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
2023—Present
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science (Public Policy & Comparative Politics)
Dissertation: “Transitions in Carbon-Intensive Places: Regional Pathways to Sustainability in Mining and Steel”
Supervisor: Professor Dan Breznitz
Committee: Professor Darius Ornston; Professor Tom Kemeny
Awards & Fellowships: University of Toronto Fellowship; Arts & Science Admission Award
Data Science Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
2026—Present
Data Science Certificate for Doctoral Students
Training in Python, Unix Shell, Git, regression analysis, classification, sampling and resampling, data visualization, and AI deployment.
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
2022—2023
Fulbright Visiting Graduate Researcher
Research project: “Green and Non-Green Diversification, Urban Pollution Intensity and Environmental Regulation: Unraveling the Geography of Green Inventions in the United States”
Supervisor: Professor David Rigby
Award: Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2021—2023
Research Master of Science (Res. MSc.) in Urban and Economic Geography
Distinction: Cum Laude
Specializations: Economic geography; quantitative analysis; econometrics
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2018—2021
Bachelor of Science with Honors (BSc. Hons.) in Human Geography and Spatial Planning
Distinction: With Honors
Specializations: Urban geography; sustainability transitions; mixed methods research
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2018—2021
Geosciences Honors Program
Selective interdisciplinary honors program for high-achieving students within the Faculty of Geosciences.
RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
2026—Present
Research Assistant, Extractive Industries 2.0 Research Project
Supervisors: Professor Dan Breznitz; Professor Raymond Gosine
Tasks: Conduct independent research on mining industry network structures in Newfoundland and Labrador; analyze regional value capture dynamics in emerging critical minerals supply chains; carry out fieldwork, data collection, and network analysis; produce academic, policy-oriented, and public-facing research outputs.
University of Toronto, Munk School, Toronto, ON, Canada
2023—Present
Research Trainee, Innovation Policy Lab
Supervisor: Professor Dan Breznitz
Tasks: Conduct research on regional innovation ecosystems and mining innovation; carry out fieldwork in Sudbury (Northern Ontario); analyze quantitative and qualitative data on industrial development and innovation systems; co-authored a policy white paper on mining innovation and regional prosperity.
University of Toronto, Munk School, Toronto, ON, Canada
2025—Present
Teaching Assistant
Courses: GLA1011 – Global Innovation Policy (Professor Dan Breznitz & Professor Darius Ornston); PPG2008 – Cities and Regional Development Policy (Professor Tom Kemeny).
University of Toronto, Political Science, Toronto, ON, Canada
2023—Present
Teaching Assistant
Courses: POL222 – Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning I (Professor Kenichi Ariga); POL223 – Globalization and Development: Issues and Challenges (Professor María Méndez Gutiérrez)
Lumiere Education, Cambridge, MA, United States
2025—Present
Volunteer Research Mentor
Mentor students from underrepresented backgrounds in designing and conducting independent research projects.
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
2024
Reporter, Innovation Equity and the Future of Prosperity Program Meeting
Reported on discussions among leading scholars and policymakers on innovation, inequality, and economic transformation.
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2023
Research Assistant, Crowdfunding in US Regions Project
Supervisor: Professor Nicola Cortinovis
Tasks: Gathered and cleaned regional data using R; contributed to the development of generative AI-based analytical tools.
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2022—2023
Student Assistant, The Just Energy Essays Project
Supervisors: Professor Jesse Hoffman; Professor Maarten Hajer
Tasks: Assisted in editing and coordinating interdisciplinary essays on energy transition and justice; organized academic events and collaborative discussions.
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2021—2022
Student Assistant, Research Master Renewal Project
Supervisor: Professor Ilse van Liempt
Tasks: Conducted interviews and market research; advised on curriculum renewal and program development.
Hanze University of Applied Science, Groningen, The Netherlands
2019—2021
Research Assistant, Research Group Talent Development in Higher Education & Society
Supervisor: Professor Marca Wolfensberger
Tasks: Conducted focus groups and literature reviews; co-authored peer-reviewed academic work.
HONORS & AWARDS
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
2022
Fulbright Commission The Netherlands
Award amount: $35,000 USD
Prestigious international fellowship supporting graduate study and research in the United States.
Arts & Science Admission Award
2023
University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science
Award amount: $10,000 CAD
Awarded on the basis of academic excellence, leadership, creativity, and community engagement.
Best Student Representative of Utrecht University
2020
VIDIUS Student Union
Awarded for leadership in university governance and student representation.
The Promising Fifteen of Utrecht University
2019
DUB Digital University Magazine
Recognized as one of fifteen students distinguished for academic achievement, leadership, and community engagement.
LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
2025—2026
Co-Chair, Graduate Association of Students in Political Science (GASPS)
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2020—2022
Student Member, Council for the Editorial Office of DUB Digital University Magazine
FNV Young & United, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2021
Board Member, Youth Organization of the Dutch Trade Union Federation
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2019—2020
Vice-Chair, Faculty Council of Geosciences & Chair of the Student Delegation
Political and Community Engagement
· Campaigner, GroenLinks Utrecht (Dutch GreenLeft Party)
· Board Member Campaigning, UUinActie
· Recruitment Committee Member, DWARS
· Animal Shelter Volunteer, Langkawi Animal Shelter & Sanctuary Foundation
· Special Needs Travel Guide, Het Buitenhof Foundation
METHODS, TECHNICAL SKILLS & LANGUAGES
Quantitative & Computational Methods
Regression analysis; classification; sampling and resampling; time series analysis; cluster analysis; network analysis; machine learning; natural language processing (NLP); GIS and spatial analysis; patent data analysis; data visualization; AI deployment.
Software
Python; R; SQL; Git; Unix Shell.
Qualitative Methods
Fieldwork; interviews; focus groups.
Languages
Dutch (native); English (fluent); French (intermediate); German (intermediate).