While at UH, how did you engage with South Asia?
I worked with Professor Sankaran Krishna and earned my PhD in political science from UH Mānoa. My dissertation was a comparative study of India and Turkey on religious controversies and how secular law shaped these controversies in both contexts. Prior to joining Stanford University as a lecturer in the Civic, Liberal, and Global Education (COLLEGE) Program, I was served as the coordinator for CSAS (2019-2022). I was also a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at UH Mānoa for 8 years.
How did your time at UH and study of South Asia help prepare you for your current role, and anything else you’ve done since graduation?
It was an invaluable experience to take an active role in the organization of the Annual Spring Symposium during my time at CSAS as the Center’s coordinator. I had the chance to meet scholars of South Asia across institutions and learn about their work, which broadened my perspective and understanding of the region. I have tremendously benefited from these experiences as a scholar and educator.
What are some of your fond memories of engaging with South Asia at UH?
One of my favorite aspects of working at CSAS was the continuous interaction and exchange of ideas with faculty and students as well as the larger South Asia community. I have truly enjoyed coordinating and publicizing events as the Center’s coordinator, making South Asia-related research accessible to all. I am also grateful for the support I received from CSAS toward my dissertation research–I was awarded the Jagdish P. Sharma Memorial Scholarship twice (2017 and 2019).
Which faculty members did you work closely with, and how were they influential for you?
I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work closely with Professors Sankaran Krishna and Anna Stirr. Their work and our interactions have helped me gain a better understanding of South Asia. I am grateful for their invaluable mentorship and professional support during and after my time at UH Mānoa. It was also a great pleasure to work with CSAS staff and faculty including Prof. Monisha Das Gupta, Prof. Sai Bhatawadekar, Dr. Monica Ghosh, Prof. Ashok Das, Prof. Paul Lavy, Prof. Jan Brunson, Prof. Wimal Dissanayake, Prof. Ned Bertz, and Karen Kadohiro-Lauer. I have been very lucky to have them as colleagues.
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