Silicon Valley Sociological Review 2025
Our annual publication showcasing student research through professor-student mentorship
Poiema Dai ‘27, Sociology Major & SVSR Student Editor
The 2025 Silicon Valley Sociological Review is grounded in the Department of Sociology’s commitment to “exposing students to ideas and foundations that prepare them to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world” with sociological training; preparing students to “apply innovative ideas to some of our most pressing social problems.” Each of the contributors’ work is the result of deep mentorship with faculty advisors, often across many months indicating the fruits of the teacher-scholar model at SCU: Di Di, Molly King, James Lai, Patrick Lopez-Aguado, Laura Nichols, and Enrique Pumar. Isabella Fernandez, advised by Laura Nichols, explores Venezuela’s recent political and economic history that the author describes as “one of the largest migratory movements in Latin American history.” Alexis Figueroa, advised by Enrique Pumar, uses the frame of surveillance regimes that the author characterizes as: “authentication systems, check-in points, registration, forms of mobility tracking…” Sydney Nguyen, advised by Patrick Lopez-Aguado, brings “together demographic categories, public policy research, and socioeconomic stratification pointing to the importance of public sociology.” Madison Michelle Patrick, advised by Laura Nichols, analyzes “the accessibility, visibility, and comprehensiveness of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services at universities.” Ambika Kathya Ramadurai, advised by James Lai, probes how South Asian American women represent “their cultures and communities while navigating varying levels of power that prioritize individual advancement.” Janelle Abbott, advised by Molly King, sheds light on the role of gender in children’s merchandising in nationwide retailers to look at “how gender is constructed and reinforced through children's merchandising.” Alexandra Zabalza, advised by Patrick Lopez-Aguado, studies gender and care of older adults in Latine families in order to look “into the influence of cultural values and expectations placed on Latinas.” Yunhan Zhu, advised by Di Di, analyzes population aging in Japan to offer “a comparative perspective on aging, fertility decline, and labor shortages to inform global sociological discussions.” In closing, join faculty advisors Di Di, Molly King, James Lai, Patrick Lopez-Aguado, Laura Nichols, and Enrique Pumar in celebrating their students’ special accomplishments shared with you in the 2025 Silicon Valley Sociological Review.