Learn more about the graduate students in the Public and Social Policy Program at Saint Louis University.

Brian Adler
brian.adler@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Brian Adler specializes in urban policy, particularly surrounding housing, transportation, and land use more broadly within the contexts of local state capacity and under the pressures of neoliberalism. He is working on research that would expand the concept of state capacity to the local government level with a distinct and comparable framework that will ultimately be a critical part of his dissertation that will explore the intersection and consequences of these topics. Brian also worked on research that explores university DEI initiatives and ways in which they can be conceived without succumbing to elite capture. Brian earned his M.A. in Public Policy Administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, where he currently is an adjunct instructor in the sociology department, and his B.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis.

Abdulkerim Altun
abdulkerim.altun@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
A. Kerim Altun’s research focuses on understanding the relationship between racial
and ethnic residential segregation and family types in U.S. metropolitan areas. He
uses spatial data and quantitative techniques to examine how socioeconomic status,
poverty and family type variables affect neighborhood-level characteristics for different
racial groups. Kerim's interests include investigating spatial inequality, poverty,
and income disparities between single and cohabiting-partner families. He received
his B.A. and M.Sc. in sociology from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul
in 2015 and 2018, respectively.

Kembly R. Archaga
kembly.archaga@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Jessica Barreca
jessica.barreca@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Laura L. Bernett
laura.bernett@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Caleb A. Bobo
caleb.bobo@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Caleb Bobo is a Ph.D. student in public and social policy with a concentration in
research methodology. His research interests include social behavior and consumer
banking, financial technology (FinTech) and underserved communities, banking policy
and regulation, and qualitative research methods. He earned his Master of Public Administration
from Saint Louis University and his B.A. in political science and African American
studies from the University of Kansas.

Carla Brown
carla.brown@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Laura J. Brugger
laura.brugger@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Laura Brugger is a Ph.D. student in public and social policy with a concentration
in geospatial analysis. Her current work focuses on socio-spatial challenges and the
interaction of riskscapes. In her dissertation, under the guidance of Dr. Ness Sandoval,
she is investigating how overlapping social and environmental inequalities are related
to voting outcomes and how this relationship varies across space. Laura earned a Master
of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Saint Louis University in 2019.

Martin M. Clay
marty.clay@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Mark Collins
mark.collins@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Vanessa A. de Becze
vanessa.debecze@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Justin Donathan
justin.donathan@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Juan Espinosa
juan.espinosa@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Joseph F. Fetter
joseph.fetter@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Afful N. Fosu
afful.fosu@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Afful Fosu is a Ph.D. student in the public and social policy program focusing on
international development policy. Afful’s research interests include child poverty,
peace and conflict resolution, and social protection. Before beginning his Ph.D.,
Afful worked with the Social Welfare Department as the district director for Nkranza
North District in Ghana. He holds a B.A. in sociology and social work from Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology in Ghana, an M.A. in social policy studies from
the University of Ghana, and a Master of Public Policy from the Willy Brandt School
of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt in Germany.

Sarah A. Frye
sarah.frye@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Sarah Frye’s research brings attention to different aspects of workplace practices
that enable superior patient care in the nuclear medicine setting. The goal is to
demonstrate the importance of 1) monitoring instrumentation quality control procedures,
2) monitoring occupational radiation exposure to ensure superior working conditions
for the best quality patient care, and 3) assessing anxiety during medical imaging
procedures with the ultimate goal of creating a less anxious environment. These topics
confirm that quality workplace practices in a nuclear medicine healthcare setting
enable superior patient care.

Nigarhan Gurpinar
nigarhan.gurpinar@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Therese J. Hart
therese.hart@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

James E. Hillis
james.hillis@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Katty Rocio Huanuco Salcedo
kattyrocio.huanucosalcedo@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Katty Huanuco is a Ph.D. student in public and social policy with an emphasis on urban
and community development. Her research interests include ethnic and race relations,
housing insecurity, women, and housing policies. Katty focuses on integrating academic
knowledge with practical experience in diverse interfaith, international, and intergenerational
settings with well-developed bilingual communication skills. She holds an M.A. in
leadership and organizational development. Prior to beginning her graduate studies
at Saint Louis University, Katty earned a B.A. in communication (2012) from Cesar
Vallejo University, Peru, with an emphasis on communication for development. She has
experiential preparation and training regarding issues of social justice, nonviolence,
the environment and spirituality in Colombia, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico and Peru. Katty
is a vowed religious member of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio.
She serves as the general director of the International Justice, Peace, and Integrity
of Creation Office of her congregation.

Rana S. Jordan
rana.suleiman@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Chayce Kenny
chayce.kenny@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Bernard Kindell
bernard.kindell@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Iordyem M. Ma
iordyem.ma@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Father Matthew Ma studies immigration in the United States. His dissertation under the direction of Professor J. S. Onesimo Sandoval relates to Catholic social teaching (CST) for immigration and policy. In it, Father Ma offers insights into the issue of immigration and how Catholic ethics and social teaching can shape how we think about migration today. After providing a window into the reality of immigrant experience here in the United States, Father Ma explores the contribution that scripture and Catholic social teaching can make in challenging the present political and economic discussions. The impact of current attitudes toward immigrants is examined, with a particular emphasis on men, women and families. Before coming to SLU, he obtained a B.A. in philosophy and humanities at Arrupe Jesuit University in Zimbabwe, a B.A. in theology at Hekima University College in Nairobi, Kenya, and an M.A. in nonprofit leadership at Seattle University in Washington. Father Ma is a Jesuit priest of the North West Africa Province (ANW), with countries like Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone as members.

Keith W. Mills
keith.mills@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

James R. Morris
james.morris@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Boluwatife J. Otemuyiwa
boluwatife.otemuyiwa@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Rachel L. Rimmerman
rachel.rimmerman@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy

Zarah S. Robinson
zarah.robinson@slu.edu
Public and Social Policy
Zarah Robinson is a first-year Ph.D. student with an interest in political factionalizing.
She spent almost 10 years working in child abuse and neglect investigations and holds
a B.Sc. in anthropology from MTSU, M.A. in international criminology from the University
of Sheffield, and an M.Sc. in social change/social statistics from the University
of Manchester.

Savitri Grover
savitri.grover@slu.edu
Public Policy Analysis

Candace R. Valentine
candace.valentine@slu.edu
Public Policy Analysis