Meet the Team

Leadership

Diana Kapiszewski (PhD Political Science 2007, UC Berkeley; M.A. Latin American Studies 1994, Georgetown University) directs SIGLA. She is an associate professor in Georgetown’s Department of Government. Her work focuses on law and legal institutions in Latin America, and qualitative research methods.

Juan David Gelvez (PhD Government and Politics 2026, U. Maryland; M.A in Public Policy 2018, UniAndes) is a Predoctoral Fellow and part of the leadership team of SIGLA. His research focuses on environmental and crime politics in Latin America, employing computational methods to inform and shape public policies in the region. Visit his website here: https://juangelvezf.github.io/.

Technical Team

To Huynh joined SIGLA in summer 2020 as a software engineer where he is responsible for building up infrastructure for the SIGLA web application. Outside of SIGLA, he works on making city council meetings in Seattle more accessible.

Nic Weber (PhD Library and Information Science 2015, University of Illinois; MSlis, Library and Information Science 2010, University of Illinois) joined SIGLA in summer 2020 as a technical advisor. He is an assistant professor in the Information School at the University of Washington where he teaches and does research in the areas of systems analysis and design, software sustainability, and data curation.

Howard Xuan (BSFS ’23) majored in Regional and Comparative Studies with a focus on Latin America and Asia. He began as a research assistant for SIGLA in the summer of 2021, working on the Mexico team, later serving as a senior research assistant and research associate for regional data. He became a technical associate for regional data in the spring of 2024. In his free time, Howard enjoys practicing magic tricks.

Louisa Christen (MSEd 2021, Johns Hopkins University; BSFS ’19, Georgetown University) majored in International Politics with a concentration in Latin American Studies. She first joined SIGLA as a research assistant on the Colombia team as an undergraduate and has returned to SIGLA in various roles over the years. She rejoined SIGLA as a technical associate for regional data in the fall of 2024.  

Researchers

Juan Camilo Acosta (COL ’26) majors in Political Economy and is pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies. He joined SIGLA in the fall of 2023 as a research assistant on the Argentina team. He joined the Colombia team in the spring of 2024. Outside of SIGLA, he enjoys playing tennis and rooting for FC Barcelona.
Lucienne Bacon (SFS ‘26) is pursuing a major in International Politics with a concentration in Security Development Strategies and a minor in Latin American Studies. She joined SIGLA in the fall of 2024 as a research assistant on the Colombia team. Outside of SIGLA she is president of the Georgetown Club Polo team and enjoys playing piano and reading.
Thalia Pasetto Biléssimo (M.A Latin American Studies ’26) is a first-year candidate for the Masters in Latin American Studies with a concentration in Governance and Leadership. She holds a B.A in Law from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. She joined SIGLA in the fall of 2024 as a research assistant on the Brazil IGA team. Outside of SIGLA, she loves to explore DC and go out with friends to discover new restaurants and coffee shops in the region.
Alesia De Armas-Kucich (CAS ’25) is majoring in Government and minoring in Philosophy and Science, Technology, and International Affairs. She joined the SIGLA team in January of 2024 as a research assistant on the Mexico team. Outside of work, Alesia enjoys reading, running, and exploring DC.
Antonia Diaz Montgomery (M.A Latin American Studies ’26) is majoring in Latin American Studies with a concentration in Governance and Leadership. She holds a B.A in Law and a B.A in Political Science from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. She joined SIGLA in the fall of 2024 as a research assistant on the Colombian historical team. Outside of SIGLA, she enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with friends.
Eva Goethals (BSFS ’26) is an International Economics major, and is pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies. She joined the SIGLA team in the summer of 2024 as a research assistant for the Brazil team. Outside of SIGLA, Eva is involved in social impact consulting and ESG investing clubs and hopes to use the skills she develops to enact social change in Latin America.
Lucía González Camelo (M.A. Latin American Studies ’25) is pursuing a Master’s in Latin American Studies with a concentration in Governance and Leadership. She also holds a B.A. in Political Science from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. She began working with SIGLA in the summer of 2024 as a research assistant on the Venezuela team. Outside of SIGLA, Lucia enjoys hiking, watching movies, and going out with friends.
Kate Huckaby (BSFS ’25) is majoring in Regional & Comparative Studies with a concentration in Latin America and the Caribbean and pursuing a certificate in Diplomatic Studies. She joined the SIGLA team in the summer of 2024 as a research assistant on the Mexico team. Outside of SIGLA, Kate enjoys traveling, baking, and listening to podcasts. 
Hannah Kurowski (MSFS ’25) studies global politics and security and is pursuing a graduate certificate in Latin American Studies and another in Refugee, Migration, and Humanitarian Emergencies. She joined SIGLA in the summer of 2024 as a research assistant on the Mexico team. Outside of SIGLA, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with loved ones. 
Libbie Larsen (COL ’25) is majoring in Political Economy with minors in Computer Science and Russian. She joined SIGLA in the fall of 2024 as a research assistant on the Mexico historical team. Outside of SIGLA, she enjoys reading, running, and swimming.
Samantha Monteiro (BSFS ’26) is majoring in International Politics and is pursuing minors in Latin American Studies and Journalism. She joined the SIGLA team in the summer of 2024 as a research assistant on the Chile team. Outside of SIGLA, Samantha enjoys reading, writing, and traveling.

Bernardo Pinto (MSFS ’26) studies international development in the school of foreign service. He joined SIGLA in the fall of 2024 as a research assistant on the Brazil team. Outside of SIGLA, Bernardo enjoys cooking, travelling, and watching soccer.

Lucas Pires de Freitas (M.A. Latin American Studies ’26) is a current second-year Master’s Candidate in the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program with a concentration in Political Economy and Development. Lucas is a current Graduate RA in the Historical Brazil team. Outside of SIGLA, Lucas likes to play soccer, watch movies, and cook.

Patty Robben (BSFS ’25) is majoring in Regional & Comparative Studies with a concentration in Latin America and is pursuing minors in Spanish and Linguistics. She joined the SIGLA team in the summer of 2024 as a research assistant on the Chile team. Outside of SIGLA, Patty enjoys running, baking, and reading.

Faith Specter (BSFS ’26) is majoring in Culture and Politics with a concentration in Latin America and a minor in Spanish. She joined the SIGLA team in the fall of 2024 as a research assistant for the Mexico team. Outside of SIGLA, Faith enjoys watching soccer, running, and traveling.

Riley Swain (BSFS ’25) is majoring in International Politics and minors in Latin American Studies, with a focus on international justice and combatting human trafficking. She began working with SIGLA in the summer of 2023 as a research assistant on the Colombia team. Outside of academics, she enjoys baking, reading, and watching old movies.

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