During my primary school years, I went to an elementary school that predominantly served low-income students and immigrant students. As I moved to the suburbs in middle/high school, I noticed the change in demographic and socioeconomic background of my peers. My first-hand experiences in varying school quality, neighborhood context, and racial and socioeconomic disparities sparked my interest in education research.

After college, I tutored students in elementary and middle school on subjects like math and English. I noticed that my students’ educational performances varied by factors that were beyond their control such as parental involvement, family resources, neighborhood, and school quality. Working with students inspired me to pursue a Masters degree in Education Policy at the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Urban Education Policy at the University of Southern California. I am passionate about conducting policy-relevant research focused on improving students' educational success.