Samantha is from Mexico City, where she earned a master’s degree in applied economics and a bachelor’s degree in business from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM).

Her research focuses on applied policy analysis, particularly in three areas: (1) measuring the impact of neighborhood quality on student outcomes, (2) investigating the determinants of various types of crime, and (3) analyzing within-district spending and its effects on student achievement and equity. 

Before joining Syracuse University, Samantha worked as a research assistant at ITAM’s Center for Competitiveness Studies, where she conducted policy evaluations in financial inclusion and telecommunications reform.