As a sociologist, I have spent the past fifteen years conducting ethnographic research on the social and institutional dimensions of border security along the Texas–Mexico border. In collaboration with Dr. James Thomas (University of Mississippi), I have examined how demographic shifts within border enforcement agencies reflect broader organizational and societal trends, as well as how security infrastructures influence regional governance and community life.

More recently, in partnership with Dr. Joseph Simpson (Texas A&M–San Antonio), my research has explored the environmental aspects of border development, focusing on how infrastructure and policy intersect with ecological concerns in border regions.

As an educator, I am committed to fostering a learning environment grounded in critical thinking, empirical analysis, and the application of sociological concepts. My teaching prepares students to engage with complex social systems and to apply sociological skills across a range of career paths in todays labor market.