A.G.
Victoria
Research Experience:
Curriculum Vitae:
Aaron G. Victoria
Research Interests:
Mobilities; Roads; Exchange; Infrastructure; Transit Ethnography; Anthropology of Work; Affect, Inter-American Highway; Border Communities; Central America; Panama; Costa Rica; Nicaragua
Education:
2019




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2011
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2007
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
PhD in Cultural Anthropology
Dissertation Title: "Finding Rhythms in the Road: How Mobilities Become Livelihoods on the Inter-American Highway"
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida​
Master of Arts in Latin American Studies
Thesis Title: "The Politics of Indigenous Nationalism: The Case of Bolivia"

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts in History, magna cum laude
Minor in Latin American Studies
Minor in Economics
Elected to membership in Delta Epsilon Iota, Sigma Alpha Lambda, Phi Alpha Theta and Delta Omicron Epsilon
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Fellowships, Grants, and Awards:
2005 Provost Scholar for Academic Achievement
2005, 2006 Pennsylvania Senator's Certificate of Recognition
2012-2015 Grinter Fellowship, University of Florida
2013 Tinker Travel Grant, The Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida
2013 Paul and Polly Research Award, Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida
2014 James C. Waggoner Grants-in-Aid, Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida
2014 CLAS Graduate Travel Award, Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida
2014 CLAS Graduate Travel Award, LUECI at the University of Florida
2014 Research Graduate Student Travel Funds, Office of Research at the University of Florida
2015 The Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Research Award, The Graduate School at the University of Florida
2018-2019 Doctoral Dissertation Completion Award, The Graduate School at the University of Florida
Teaching Experience:
2016
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2015
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2015
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2014-2015
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2014
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2014
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2014
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2012
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Graduate Teaching Associate- Department of Anthropology
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Oversaw the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture during the Summer B semester
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Prepared and developed the course curriculum for ANT 2301
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Lectured about course content as it relates to anthropology theory and ethnographic research methods for a class of about 300 students
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Managed the responsibilities of one graduate teaching assistant
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Wrote up performance reviews for one graduate teaching assistant
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Planned, oversaw, and provided expert insight for students' ethnographic research activities
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Developed skills and gained crucial experience in small team management, classroom management, public speaking, and the presentation of anthropology-related content
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University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Graduate Teaching Assistant- The Teaching Center
Tutored seven "at-risk" student athletes in the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture during the Fall semester
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Monitored the attendance, classroom behavior, and course performance of seven "at-risk" student athletes in the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture
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Partnered with student advisers of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to track the course progress and performance of the assigned group of student athletes
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University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Graduate Teaching Associate- Department of Anthropology
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Oversaw the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture during the Summer B semester
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Prepared and develop course curriculum for the course Anthropology 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture
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Lectured about course content as it relates to anthropology theory and ethnographic research methods for a class of about 300 students
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Managed the responsibilities of one graduate teaching assistant
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Wrote up performance reviews for one graduate teaching assistant
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Assisted students with technical issues as they related to their course content, assignments, and exams
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Planned, oversaw, and provided expert insight for students' ethnographic research activities
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Developed skills and gained crucial experience in small team management, classroom management, public speaking, and the presentation of anthropology related content
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University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Head Graduate Teaching Assistant- Department of Anthropology
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Assisted in the administration of the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture during the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters
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Managed the weekly workload and performance of nine graduate teaching assistants
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Coordinated course discussion section materials and course policies between the instructor and nine graduate teaching assistants
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Acted as the primary liaison between 700+ students and the course instructor
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Constructed and proctored course exams
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Planned, organized, and oversaw the students’ ethnographic research and writing assignments
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Set-up and taught two course-related lab sections (about 50 students total) each week
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Monitored and graded student assignments and exams
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Provided expert advice and guidance in the planning and execution of student ethnographic research papers
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Provided technical assistance to students regarding their assignments and other course content
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Prepared weekly discussion plans that connected lecture content with overarching anthropological methods and thought
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Developed skills and gained crucial experience in small team management, classroom management, public speaking, and the presentation of anthropology-related content
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University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Graduate Teaching Associate- Department of Florida
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Oversaw the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture for the Summer B semester
-
Prepared and developed the course curriculum for the course ANT 2301
-
Lectured about course content as it relates to anthropology theory and ethnographic research methods for a class of about 300 students
-
Managed the responsibilities of one graduate teaching assistant
-
Wrote up performance reviews for one graduate teaching assistant
-
Assisted students with technical issues as they related to their course content, assignments, and exams
-
Planned, oversaw, and provided expert insight for students' ethnographic research activities
-
Developed skills and gained crucial experience in small team management, classroom management, public speaking, and the presentation of anthropology-related content
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University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Head Graduate Teaching Assistant- Department of Anthropology
-
Assisted in the administration of the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture during the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters
-
Managed the weekly workload and performance of nine graduate teaching assistants
-
Coordinated course discussion section materials and course policies between the instructor and nine graduate teaching assistants
-
Acted as the primary liaison between 700+ students and the course instructor
-
Constructed and proctored course exams
-
Planned, organized, and oversaw the students’ ethnographic research and writing assignments
-
Set-up and taught two course-related lab sections (about 50 students total) each week
-
Monitored and graded student assignments and exams
-
Provided expert advice and guidance in the planning and execution of student ethnographic research papers
-
Provided technical assistance to students regarding their assignments and other course content
-
Prepared weekly discussion plans that connected lecture content with overarching anthropological methods and thought
-
Developed skills and gained crucial experience in small team management, classroom management, public speaking, and the presentation of anthropology-related content
​
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Graduate Teaching Assistant- Department of Anthropology
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Assisted in the administration of the anthropology course ANT 2301- Human Sexuality and Culture during the Fall semester
-
Set-up and taught three course related lab sections (about 75 students total) each week
-
Developed questions for course exams
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Monitored and graded student assignments and exams
-
Provided expert advice and guidance in the planning and execution of student ethnographic research papers
-
Provided technical assistance to students regarding their assignments and other course content
-
Prepared weekly discussion plans that connected lecture content with overarching anthropological methods and thought
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Developed skills and gained crucial experience in classroom management, public speaking, and the presentation of anthropology related content
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The University of Florida English Language Institute, Gainesville, Florida
Conversation Partner (No Compensation)
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Assisted non-English speaking students in the comprehension of colloquial English through one on one meetings
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Professional Publicatations:
Victoria, A.G. (2017). “Book Review: Ashley Carse, Beyond the Big Ditch: Politics, Ecology, and Infrastructure at the Panama Canal.” Journal of Transport History.
Presentations and Theses:
Victoria, A.G. (2019). “Finding Rhythms in the Road: How Mobilities Become Livelihoods on the Inter-American Highway.” (PhD Thesis, University of Florida, 2019)
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Victoria, A.G. (2016). “Finding Rhythms in the Road: How Mobilities become Livelihoods on Central America’s Pan-American Highway.” Presented at the Florida Anthropological Student Association Colloquium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
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Victoria, A.G. (2014). “Border Work on ‘The Highway’: Conceptualizing the Informal Economy in Relation to Globalization in Latin America.” Paper Presented at the 113th Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association, Washington D.C.
Victoria, A.G. (2014). “Border Work on ‘The Highway’: Conceptualizing the Informal Economy in Central America.” Presented at the Crime, Law, and Governance Working Group, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Victoria, A.G. (2014). “Finding Rhythms in the Road: Ethnography of Road Experiences through Colectivo Bus Systems in Central America.” Presented at the Transit Ethnography Working Group on Stories of the Street: Student Presentations of Roads and Road Publics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Victoria, A.G. (2014). “Informal States: Neoliberal Governance and Border Crossings along the Pan-American Highway.” Presented at the Florida Anthropological Student Association Colloquium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Victoria, A.G. (2011). “The Politics of Indigenous Nationalism: The Case of Bolivia” (Master’s Thesis, University of Florida, 2011).
Victoria, A.G. (2010). “Bolivia’s Reconquista: Aymara Political Leaders and Their Plan to Reshape the Bolivian Government.” Paper Presented at Conference on Agents of Change: Resistance and Resilience in Latin America, University of Tulane, New Orleans, LA.
2018-2019
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2017
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2016
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2015
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2014-2015
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2013
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2012-2013
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2009-2010
The Graduate School at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Co-Investigator/Coordinator (Independent PhD Field Research)
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Funded through The Graduate School's Doctoral Research Completion Award
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Received $15,000 in funding, along with tuition waivers for two academic semesters, as part of The Graduate School's Dissertation Completion Award at the University of Florida
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Organized and analyzed ethnographic resources that I collected during PhD field research
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Prepared and completed the manuscript, "Finding Rhythms in the Road: How Mobilities Become Livelihoods on the Inter-American Highway", as part of the PhD program in anthropology
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Gained experience in the editing and formatting of professional publications
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Dept. of Anthropology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Co-Investigator/Coordinator (Independent PhD Field Research)
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Planned and executed six months of multi-sited ethnographic field research in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua as part of Phase II of field research for the PhD project ,"Finding Rhythms in the Road: How Mobilities Become Livelihoods on the Inter-American Highway"
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Obtained renewal clearance to perform the tasks of the research project from the Institutional Review Board at the University of Florida (Protocol #2016-U-0079)
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Used the ethnographic research methods of participant observation, non-participant observation, walkthroughs, structured interviews, and semi-structured interviews to learn and document cultural uses of the built environment
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Researched the social and environmental impacts of development projects in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua with emphasis on a stretch of the Inter-American Highway between Panama City, Panama and Managua, Nicaragua
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Recorded life histories of and participated in daily work routines with taxi drivers, informal travel assistants, mobile vendors, and stationary vendors to learn how surrounding communities gain access to and use the Inter-American Highway to earn income
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Analyzed the histories of mobility, formal/informal work, and infrastructure development projects in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua
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Collected and managed items of material culture as they related to the daily life around the Inter-American Highway
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Collected and organized historical cultural resources at the National Archives in San Jose, Costa Rica and Managua, Nicaragua
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Consulted with faculty and professionals from local universities and institutions—such as Autonomous University of Chiriqui (Panama), University of Costa Rica, Central American University (Managua, Nicaragua), and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (Managua, Nicaragua), and Ministries of Public Works and Infrastructure—to better understand and receive access to cultural resources and spaces
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Partnered with researchers at the Autonomous University of Chiriqui (Panama) to prepare a proposal of partnership between the Autonomous University of Chiriqui and the University of Florida
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Volunteered and provided professional advice to faculty and students of primary schools within the indigenous highland territory of Hato Chami (Panama), as well as the Adventist School of Paso Canoas, Costa Rica
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Coordinated with lead natural medicine specialist and primary cultural resource manager of the Comte community to plan a future ethnographic research project that aims to document and preserve the cultural heritage of the Ngabe-Bugle indigenous community and disseminate the resources to the youth of the community
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The Graduate School at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Co-Investigator/Coordinator (Independent PhD Field Research)
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Funded through The Graduate School's Doctoral Research Travel Award
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Received $5,000 in funding from The Graduate School at the University of Florida to conduct Phase I of ethnographic research for the PhD program in anthropology
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Planned and executed four months of multi-sited ethnographic field research in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua as part of the PhD project, "Finding Rhythms in the Road: How Mobilities Become Livelihoods on the Inter-American Highway"
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Used the ethnographic research methods of participant observation, non-participant observation, walkthroughs, structured Interviews, and semi-structured interviews to learn and document cultural uses of the built environment
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Obtained clearance to perform the tasks of the research project from the Institutional Review Board at the University of Florida (Protocol #2016-U-0079)
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Researched the social and environmental impacts of development projects in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua with emphasis on a stretch of the Inter-American Highway between Panama City, Panama and Managua, Nicaragua
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Recorded life histories of and participated in daily work routines with taxi drivers, informal travel assistants, mobile vendors, and stationary vendors to learn how surrounding communities gain access to and use the Inter-American Highway to earn income
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Analyzed the histories of mobility, formal/informal work, and infrastructure development projects in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua
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Collected and managed items of material culture as they related to the daily life around the Inter-American Highway
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Researched and organized historical cultural resources at the National Archives in Panama City, Panama
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Partnered with faculty and professionals from local universities and institutions--such as National University of Panama, Autonomous University of Chiriqui (Panama), University of Costa Rica, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute--to better understand and receive access to cultural resources, spaces, and relevant contacts
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Dept. of Anthropology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Co-Investigator/Coordinator (Independent PhD Field Research)
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Funded through the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida's James C. Waggoner Grants-in-Aid
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Received $800 in funding from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida to conduct Phase II of preliminary ethnographic research for the PhD program in anthropology
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Planned and executed two weeks of multi-sited ethnographic field research in Panama as part of the PhD project, "Finding Rhythms in the Road: How Mobilities Become Livelihoods on the Inter-American Highway"
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Obtained renewal of clearance to perform the tasks of the research project from the Institutional Review Board at the University of Florida (continuation of Protocol #2013-U-466)
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Used ethnographic research methods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews to learn and document cultural uses of the built environment
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Researched the social and environmental impacts of development projects in Panama with emphasis on a stretch of the Inter-American Highway between Panama City and Yaviza at the base of the Darien Gap
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Conducted cultural document analysis at the Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Exterior Relations in Panama City, Panama
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Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA
Subject Matter Expert (No Compensation)
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Partnered with Senior Research Associates of the Clinton Health Access Initiative between October 2014-April 2015 to assist with the planning and collection of research data for their Mesoamerica Malaria Elimination project
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Served as a subject matter expert on the topics of public transportation routes and indigenous community mobility patterns in Panama
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Used anthropology/mobility studies and ethnographic methods to problem solve questions about malaria transmission pathways in Panama
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Drafted a mobility map--using the Esri GIS mapping software--of formal and informal bus routes in Panama to better understand how and where possible carriers of malaria move from rural to urban/semi-urban centers
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Gained basic training and experience in GIS mapping through the Esri geographic information system
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Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Co-Investigator/Coordinator (Independent PhD Field Research)
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Funded through the Tinker Travel Grant from the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida and the Paul and Polly Doughty Research Award
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Received at total of $ $2,891 in funding--with $1,391 from the Center for Latin American Studies and $1,500 from the Department of Anthropology--to conduct Phase I of preliminary ethnographic research for the PhD program in anthropology
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Planned and participated in one month of multi-sited ethnographic field research in Central America as part of the PhD project, "Finding Work in the Shadow of the State: A Multi-Sited Ethnography of "Paralegals" in Central American Border Communities"
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Obtained clearance to perform the tasks of the research project from the Institutional Review Board at the University of Florida (Protocol #2013-U-466)
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Used the ethnographic research methods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews to learn and document cultural uses of national border crossings along the Inter-American Highway in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala
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Documented how community members gain access to and use national border crossings as a means to earn income
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Research the history of the World Customs Organization in Central American and their relationship with communities that surround national border crossings
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Selected three ethnographic field site locations that would become part of a larger multi-sited ethnography
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Established contacts with border community residents and local institutions
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Secured affiliations with the local institutions of the National University of Panama, University of Costa Rica, and Autonomous University of Chiriqui (Panama)
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Presented ethnographic resources of the research project at the 2014 Field Research Clinic, hosted by the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida
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Dept. of Anthropology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Short-Term Research Assistant
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Collected data and organized sources on disasters, social vulnerability, and climate change in the state of Florida between 2000-2011 for the introduction of Dr. Anthony Oliver-Smith's forthcoming manuscript, "Disasters in Paradise: Natural Hazards, Social Vulnerability, and Development Decisions"
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Performed research and data collection on the social impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida between 2000-2011 using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center database
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Collected data and organized sources on climate change, displacement, and resettlement in Bangladesh as part of Dr. Oliver-Smith's upcoming research and professional publications
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The Democracy Center, San Francisco, CA
Long-Distance Volunteer- Working from Florida (No Compensation)
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Served as a volunteer member of the research team at the Democracy Center
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Conducted research on the media coverage of changes in the lithium market in Latin America
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Established detailed contact lists of affiliated organizations for The Democracy Center’s book tour
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Conducted research on the negative effects of lithium mining on the environment and surrounding communities in Chile and Argentina
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Cataloged data and research findings for The Democracy Center’s professional publication, “Bolivia and Its Lithium: Can the ‘Gold of the 21st Century’ Help Lift a Nation out of Poverty?”
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Language Skills:
Spanish, fluent; Portuguese, intermediate (read), novice (written/spoken); Latin, novice; English (native)
Professional Affiliations:
American Anthropological Association, Arlington, Virginia
Transit Ethnography Working Group, Gainesville, Florida
Crime, Law, and Governance Working Group, Gainesville, Florida