Ms. Abhilasha Sharma, 2011-2012 Intern

Abhilasha Sharma is from Kathmandu, Nepal currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a focus in gender and development at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2009 with a B.S. in International Studies and a minor in Women Studies.
Her interests include a variety of issues related with gender such as gender – based violence and discrimination, and implementation of gender mainstreaming in the local, national, and international development activities to promote gender equality.  She is currently working on her master’s thesis on Nepalese women’s meaningful participation in the governance.

 Ms. Emperatriz Guevara, 2011-2012 Intern

 Emperatriz Guevara is currently a graduate student at the Monterey Institute of  International Studies pursuing a Master's Degree in International Policy Studies with  a concentration in Conflict Resolution. She completed her Bachelor's degree in  International Studies and Business Administration in 2011 at the Dominican  University of California.

Her interests include issues related to women in international security and peace building, with special interest in Latin America.

 Ms. Lauren Renda, 2011-2012 Intern

 Lauren Renda is currently a student at the Monterey Institute of International  Studies where she is working toward a Master's Degree in International Policy with a  concentration in Conflict Resolution and Human Rights. Lauren received her  Bachelor's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in International  Affairs/Middle Eastern Studies.

Her prior work experience includes working at the Northern Nevada International Center as Assistant Program Coordinator. She has lived and studied in Cyprus and Chile, and has traveled extensively throughout Europe and South America.

 Ms. Sasha Sleiman, 2011-2012 Intern 

 Sasha Sleiman is pursuing her Master's Degree in International Policy Studies with a  concentration in Human Security and Development at the Monterey Institute of  International Studies. Her specific interests lie in conflict resolution and gender  issues. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2009 with a B.A. in  Comparative Politics.

Her interests include a variety of issues related to gender and conflict including women's roles in conflict, conflict resolution, post-war reconstruction and peacebuilding.  

 Mr. RJ Aycock, 2011-2012 Intern

 RJ Aycock is currently a Master's candidate at the Monterey Institute of International  Studies focusing on the study of conflict resolution. He graduated with a B.A. in Arabic  Studies from National University in 2011.

 His interests are focused on the development of sexual and gender identities within the context of religion, and is particularly interested in how these play out in societies that have undergone periods of sustained violent conflict.

 Mr. Alex Free, 2011-2012 Intern

 Alex Free is currently a student at the Monterey Institute of International Studies  working toward a Master's Degree in International Policy Studies with a focus on  Conflict Resolution. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of  Colorado, Boulder in 2009, receiving his Bachelor's in International Affairs with a  focus on the Middle East.
After studying post-conflict reconstruction in the former Yugoslavia in 2009, Alex's focus has turned toward post-war reconstruction and conflict transformation particularly with regards to ethnic and religious-based conflict.

Ms. Stephanie Barko, 2011-2012 Intern

Stephanie is currently a student at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree in International Policy Studies with a specialization in Human Security and Development.  She received her B.A. in Linguistics and in Music from the University of Michigan in 2008.  Her prior professional experience includes working as a pronunciation specialist for the Accent Reduction Institute.  She also taught English at The American Home in Vladimir, the Russian Federation from 2009 to 2010.

Stephanie’s interests include issues related to migration and integration, U.S. security policy, and a regional focus on Russia and Central/Eastern Europe.  She is currently conducting research for a project focusing on the re-integration of U.S. military veterans into society.

Ms. Grace O'Dell, 2011-2012 Intern

Grace O'Dell is a student at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, expecting to graduate with a Master of Public Administration (MPA).  Grace graduated from Marietta College with Bachelor degrees in both Spanish and International Leadership Studies.

Her interests lie in public health, with an emphasis on social behaviors and prevention. More recently, Grace has been assisting CCS Research Fellow Kyle Lopez in work focusing on the reintegration of US veterans.