Meet the Team

Leadership

Diana Kapiszewski (PhD Political Science 2007, UC Berkeley; M.A. Latin American Studies 1994) 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.

Simón Ballesteros (PhD Government ’25) joined SIGLA in 2019 as a data verifier and worked on institutional development, and re-joined as a member of the leadership team in fall 2023. He studies constitutional change from a comparative perspective, focusing on Latin American countries.

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.

Researchers

Andrés Celis-Madrid (COL ’26) studies Government and is pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies. He joined SIGLA in the summer of 2023 as a research assistant on the Colombia team. He joined the Venezuela team in the fall of 2023. Outside of SIGLA, he enjoys doing political campaign work and rooting for the Miami Marlins.

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.
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 majoring 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. 
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.

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.

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.

Carolina Wesley (BSFS ’26) is majoring in International Politics with a concentration in International Law, Ethics and Institutions. She began working with SIGLA in the summer of 2024 as a research assistant on the Brazil team. Outside of SIGLA, she enjoys going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with her family/friends.

Scroll to Top