Jacob is a fourth-year undergraduate at Cornell University studying Environment and Sustainability with a minor in Community Food Systems. Their studies are self-designed with a concentration in Environmental and Food Systems Justice, explored through political, spatial, and social lenses. They possess interdisciplinary training in the food systems sphere, where they have served as an operations coordinator for a student-led grocery store, Anabel’s Grocery, co-conducted a literature review on the informal food economy practices of low to middle-income countries, and served as a summer fellow with several city-level food justice nonprofits. Jacob is particularly interested in advancing transparent and inclusive governance processes that truly represent the needs of communities. They are joining as a Housing and Transportation fellow to examine the policy levers available and the extent to which they address rising concerns of affordability and accessibility in cities. In their free time, they like to find a new TV show or explore new neighborhoods and cafés.
Category: User Research Team
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Maria Tokarev, Liberty University
Maria Tokarev is a dynamic individual originally from Ukraine, bringing a rich cultural perspective and multilingual background to every endeavor. Fluent in multiple languages, Maria bridges cultural and linguistic divides with ease, embodying a global mindset. As a dedicated doctoral student and aspiring law professional, Maria is passionate about exploring the intersection of law, politics, and international relations.With a deep commitment to understanding and addressing complex legal and political issues, Maria aims to advocate for justice and positive change. This passion for law and politics drives her academic pursuits, particularly in the areas of international relations and criminal law. Guided by a strong sense of purpose and an unwavering drive, Maria is set on a path to make meaningful contributions to the legal field, aspiring to shape policy and empower communities worldwide.
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Angel Gao, University of California Berkeley
Xing (Angel) Gao is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a major in Legal Studies with a minor in French. Angel has a diverse research background, including studies on racial inequality, comparative evaluations of the presidencies of Joe Biden and Donald Trump, regulatory frameworks for unmanned vessels, and the innovative application of artificial intelligence in jury science. As an immigrant herself, Angel is deeply passionate about exploring the social and legal challenges faced by immigrant communities. She has a strong passion for promoting inclusivity, equity, and access to justice within immigration systems, aiming to support and empower underserved populations. Angel chose to minor in French to deepen her understanding of global cultures and expand her ability to engage with diverse perspectives. By studying French, she seeks to enhance her ability to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. Outside of school, Angel enjoys photography and traveling, capturing moments from her adventures around the world. She also finds relaxation in baking, despite her ongoing challenge of perfecting a sponge cake after four unsuccessful attempts.
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Valerie Ferguson, University of Texas at Austin
Valerie Ferguson is a first-year graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is working on her master’s in Global Policy Studies. Her primary focus in school is security studies and environmental policy and how these two can help to provide security from the ground up. She particularly likes to focus on how these two intersect with cultural preservation. Through these passions, she was able to learn more about international immigration and the reasons that would motivate someone to do so. Valerie had the opportunity to learn more about the refugee process through her internship with Refugee Services of Texas. There, she was able to create maps tailored to different regional markets or cultural hubs to try and help the refugees feel comfortable in Austin, Texas. Outside of school and work, she enjoys reading of any genre and hiking.
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Ashley Eduardo Espinoza, George Mason University
Ashley Eduardo Espinoza is a senior at George Mason University, majoring in Sociology with a minor in Immigration Studies. She has cultivated a strong academic and professional foundation as a research assistant at her university’s research lab, where she has contributed to articles and participated in projects focused on social stratification, higher education, and immigration. As a second-generation immigrant, Ashley’s connection to immigration is deeply personal, rooted in her lived experiences and those of her community. Growing up in a diverse, immigrant-dense area, she has had the opportunity to engage closely with immigrants and refugees, inspiring her passion for researching, understanding, and advocating for equitable immigration policies that foster inclusion and opportunity. Her work reflects her commitment to using research as a tool to address systemic inequities and drive social justice. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Ashley is dedicated to building meaningful connections with those around her. She enjoys traveling to explore new cultures, attending concerts of all genres, and watching movies with her friends and family.
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Taylor Petrosino, University of South Carolina
Taylor Petrosino (she/her) is a Pre-Law student at the University of South Carolina Honors College studying Public Policy for Social Justice. She is currently interning at the Richland County Office of Community Development, and has previously worked with South Carolina Legal Services, the Office of Economic Opportunity, and the USDA’s Summer Break Cafe program. Taylor founded the Student Mutual Aid Network, through which she facilitates partnerships between universities and K-12 schools aimed at providing students with equitable access to resources. She has previously been a scholar at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Advocacy Institute and the Public Policy and International Affairs Program’s Public Service Weekend. She witnessed early on what personal finances can make people vulnerable to, and is dedicated to making improvements at the intersection of victim advocacy and economic justice. In her free time, Taylor enjoys volunteering, oil painting, archery, and learning to play the lyre harp.
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Helen Yibrah, Columbia University
Helen is a junior at Columbia University studying Sustainable Development with a concentration in Sociology. Originally from Denver, she grew up surrounded by Colorado’s beautiful natural landscape which fostered her interest in environmental work. Combining her interest in the environment with social justice, Helen began to explore the broad impacts of environmental justice issues. Through her studies, she developed particular policy interests in housing, energy, and transportation equity. Her previous experience includes an internship at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, researching how the National Environmental Policy Act impacts clean infrastructure projects, and a position as a student researcher for the energy opportunity lab at the Center on Global Energy Policy. She is excited to dive deeper into housing and transportation policy while contributing to ACE’s existing research as a student fellow. In the future, Helen hopes to address issues within these spaces through legal and policy pathways. During her free time, she enjoys nice hikes, runs, and coffee shops!
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Andrew Flay, University of Virginia
Andrew Flay is currently a 3rd year majoring in history at the University of Virginia. He first engaged with policy analysis whilst working with the State Department at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, publishing an issues brief on an emerging crime trend across Germany and the Benelux states. He then continued his policy work through several academic courses at the University, broadening his skillset to encompass a more rigorous approach to research. An avid serious debater, Andrew has seized opportunities throughout his life to engage in the art of oratory, tackling complex policy issues that face the world today, and communicating those arguments eloquently. Having grown up in the Foreign Service, Andrew was exposed to a wide variety of different cultural milieus since a very young age, which has informed his approach to policy issues as one of universality. adaptability and pragmatism. With respect to hobbies, Andrew can often be found riding his mountain bike on Observatory Hill, or lounging on the Lawn.
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Thomas Mosher, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Thomas Mosher is a current junior at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. Studying Political Science with an emphasis in World Politics accompanied by two minors in Global Studies and Middle East Studies. He has experience in research, presentations, policy writing, organizing, and electoral politics. Thomas spent time as the Climate and Criminal Justice Officer for MOVETexas UNT where he researched and led two seminars. Following MOVE, he spent time as a field intern for Jose Garza’s re-election campaign for Travis County DA. Thomas continued organizing as a field staffer for Doug Greco’s mayoral campaign in Austin. Currently, Thomas is interning part-time for two different non-profits. Serving as a representative for Mandate Democracy with an emphasis on organizing and as a policy writer with the Minnesota Center for Nonviolence. Thomas also assumed the role of Communications Director with the UWEC Democrats and spent the fall months organizing and campaigning with the UWEC Democrats, Eau Claire Democrats, and the local coordinated campaigns.