I use large national surveys, experiments, and mixed methods to study how psychological factors impact people's political actions. My teaching and research interests include political psychology, race and ethnic politics, and behavioral research methods.

My dissertation, Prosocial Politics: How Americans’ Desire to Help Shapes Political Action, argues that prosociality, a psychological instinct to assist, comfort, and share with others, is both shaped by the political environment, and subsequently increases the likelihood of participation. Across several national studies, I show that the desire to engage in politics is driven by prosocial political preferences--defined as a desire for political actions, norms, and systems that help others in need. This research has been supported by the Garth Taylor Dissertation Fellowship and the Gerald R. Ford Fellowship.

Additionally, I study Latino political socialization, racial attitudes, and American support for tax policies that prevent tax avoidance by the ultra-wealthy. My work has appeared in Politics, Groups and Identities, various edited book chapters, and other online venues.

Originally from Venezuela, I moved to the U.S. at age eight and grew up in Florida. I earned my BA with honors in Psychology and Political Science from New College of Florida in 2018. You can reach me by email at eugeniaq [at] umich.edu