Research
Summary and detailed research experience
My research examines how culturally relevant food experiences relate to Asian American students’ sense of belonging in higher education.
Dissertation
January 2025 – Current
Doctoral Dissertation Research
- Conducted qualitative interviews and thematic coding to examine how culturally relevant food experiences relate to belonging among Korean American undergraduates.
- Analyzed narratives using CECE and Suda frameworks to explore visibility, inclusion, and cultural engagement.
- Prepared dissertation chapters focusing on campus dining, identity, and institutional policy implications.
Advisors: Dr. Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj, Dr. Hui-Ling Malone, Dr. Antar Tichavakunda
Research roles
Selected roles from UC Santa Barbara
Research Assistant
- Coding and thematic analysis of interview transcripts.
- Developed data visualization tools and charts to present research results.
Advisor: Dr. Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj
Independent Research Project
- Evaluated interpretation and translation services across 120 California school district websites, resulting in a 50-page final project defended to the advisory committee.
- Developed a rubric to assess language services provision, quality, and accessibility.
- Identified trends showing larger districts more likely to provide language support.
Advisors: Dr. Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj, Dr. Tarek Azzam
Graduate Research Assistant
- Conducted interviews with student focus groups as part of a university reaccreditation project for the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITRAL).
- Developed coding schemes and conducted qualitative data analysis.
- Collected, organized, and archived secondary data sources.
- Facilitated communication between quantitative and qualitative research teams.
Advisor: Dr. Linda Adler-Kassner