Teaching interests: Introduction to Asian American Studies; Asian American Communities in Southern California; Filipino-American Community and Contemporary Issues; Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) Production; Asian Pacific American Families; Urban Environment and Social Justice

Research interests: Current research interests include new modes of Asian immigrant settlement patterns and immigrant enclaves; gambling addiction in APA and Filipino American communities.

Brief biography: "I received my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Redlands, my Masters degree in Urban Planning (Environmental Analysis and Planning emphasis) from UCLA, and was a doctoral student in the Urban Planning program also at UCLA. Prior to teaching, I worked in the public sector as a field deputy to Los Angeles City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg. In my short stint with the city, I have been able to work with neighborhood residents in converting a vacant lot with a history of illegal activities, into a community garden that today serves families and children in the East Hollywood area. Before all that I was a financial analyst for a major petroleum company in Los Angeles.

I am active in community work as a member of the Los Angeles County Commission on Public Social Services (http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/pss_commission/pages/pss_comm_profiles.cfm) and as a Planning Commissioner for the City of San Gabriel). I am also currently the co-chairperson of the Singgalot Committee, which is working on bringing the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit of 100 Years of Filipino Presence in the United States to Los Angeles (August 2008).

As for fun, every second weekend of September, I don on my apron and chef's hat and participate in the Culinary Arts Pavilion of the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in San Pedro. Last September I demonstrated one-pot cooking for college students who live away from home. "