I am a linguistic anthropologist whose research interests include language ideologies, social relationships, and social identities. Broadly speaking, I am interested in how people use language to navigate the world and how people use language to create that world. I have conducted research in Cambodia, China, and the United States. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Carleton College. 

As the daughter of Cambodian refugees of Chinese descent, my research and teaching interests all relate to my personal background in some way. Born in the ethnically diverse city of Long Beach, California; growing up in a multilingual household; and witnessing social inequality, I have tried to understand my own sense of identity as well as the circumstances that have impacted my community. A first-generation student who is from a minoritized background, I am committed to empowering other underrepresented students to know that they too are knowledge producers. 

A large part of my outreach involves advocating for Southeast Asian Americans whose stories and histories have largely been ignored and forgotten. I seek to amplify our voices, not only bring equity to Southeast Asian Americans, but to also create a socially just world for all communities who have experienced inequity, racism, and marginalization.