Hello! I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Government at the University of Vienna. Before moving to Vienna, I earned my Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of California, Davis in June 2026.
My research examines the connections between populism, affective polarization, and democratic backsliding, with a broader interest in elite interactions and party competition. My research contributes to the growing literature on how the emergence of populism has reshaped European politics, the strategic incentives that shape elite behavior, and the consequences these choices have for citizens and democratic institutions. I study these phenomena in Western democracies with particular attention to Europe.
In my free time I enjoy traveling, cooking, swimming, cycling, and playing board games with friends.
Education
🎓Ph.D. in Political Science, 2020-2026 | University of California, Davis
🎓BA in Political Science and Italian, 2020 | University at Buffalo
Research Interests
Political Parties | Affective Polarization | Populism | Democratic Backsliding | European Politics