This is a comparative case study of two neighborhoods in Los Angeles and two in Chicago. I use residents' treatment of their own and others' dogs as a lens to investigate cultural differences, urban space usage, and city responses. The grounded theory approach provides a truly novel route into urban cultural communities and relies on over 100 in-depth interviews, 200 hours of site observation, hundreds of photographs, and periodical research.  Taking a systems approach to urban dynamics, the theoretical framework embodies several levels of analysis: the relationships between urban citizens and dogs; the urban communities around these relationships within particular neighborhood spaces; and their interaction with municipal authorities, like the Chicago Parks Department, LA Department of Recreation and Parks, Chicago Animal Care and Control, LA Animal Services, political leaders, community organizations, and the police.  Analyzing the treatment of dogs in urban communities illuminates competitive struggles across classes, between cultures, and over public spaces.

Carey, Benedict. 2011. “Emotional Power Broker of the Modern Family.” New York Times: Science Section, March 14, D5. Interviewed expert for article.

“Teleretinal Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in Six Los Angeles Urban Safety Net Clinics: Initial Findings.” Omolola Ogunyemi, Elizabeth Terrien, Alicia Eccles, Lauren Patty, Sheba George, Allison Fish, Senait Teklehaimanot, Ramarao Ilapakurthi, Otaren Aimiuwu, Richard Baker. Journal of American Medical Informatics Association, 2011. (Forthcoming. )

“Workflow Concerns and Workarounds in an Urban Safety Net Teleretinal Screening Study.” Allison Fish, Sheba George, Elizabeth Terrien, Alicia Eccles, Richard Baker, Omolola Ogunyemi. Jounal of American Medical Informatics Association, 2011. (Forthcomingss. )

“Focusing on Cultural Variances of Dog Ownership in Los Angeles and Community Identity.” American Sociological Association, San Francisco, 2009.

“Cultural Beliefs Make Community Practices & Politics: The Case of Dog Ownership in Los Angeles .” Pacific Sociological Association, San Diego , 2009.

“How Differences in Cultural Institutions Affect City Policies: City Responses to Changes in Dog Ownership.” Chicago Ethnography Conference, 2006. American Sociological Association Montreal, 2006.

"The Corporate Cult: How Corporations Gain Commitment at the Expense of Families." American Sociological Association, Philadelphia, 2005. (Accepted for Presentation at 2005 Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics, Hungary.)

“Case Study of Environmental Constraints on a Non-profit Community Health Center in South Los Angeles.” Confidential Report to CEO, 2008.

“Review of the State of Female Faculty at Research Universities and Current Best Practices to Address the Inequalities.” Unpublished report for Provost Mary Harvey, University of Chicago, 2008.

“JA Business Ethics Summative Evaluation Final Report.” Katie Winters & Elizabeth Terrien, Evaluation and Training Institute. Prepared for Junior Achievement, 2008.

“A Comparison of Two First 5 LA Large Grantees: South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project, Inc. & Public Health Foundation Enterprises – Women, Infant & Children.” Semics, LLC. Prepared for First 5 Los Angeles County Commission, 2006.

Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies - Duke University 01/2006–09/2006

Data Analyst for Dawn Wiest, PhD and Jackie B. Smith, PhD

Populated an SPSS database of international nongovernmental organizations and then cleaned preexisting data through recoding.

Stanford Neuroeconomics Lab  09/2005–06/2006

Research Participant Coordinator for Antonio Rangel, PhD and Kathleen C. Armel, PhD

Recruited, screened, and scheduled an average of 45 participants per week from the University and general community, only using online tools, for experiments of several simultaneously conducted research projects.

Alfred P. Sloan Center  03/2004–06/2005

Researcher for Barbara Schneider, PhD

Independent research supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Center on Parents, Children, and Work under the auspices of Dr. Barbara Schneider. (CLICK HERE for more information on my work with the Alfred P. Sloan Center.)

University of Chicago Survey Lab 01/2004 –06/2004

Qualitative Interviewer & Researcher for Virginia Bartot, PhD

Worked with team to design and execute a qualitative study of food insecurity amongst Chicago elderly using Atlas.ti.

Previous Work Experience in New York, NY 06/1997–08/2001

Worked in a variety of positions relating to human resources consulting and management between college and graduate school, which was fundamental to my decision to study organizations academically. More information available upon request.

Teaching Assistant for John Padgett 2012

University of Chicago, Political Science

Organizational Decision Marking

Lead weekly undergraduate section, graded weekly written assignments and final exam.

Practice Interviewer 09/2011–06/2012

University of Chicago

Office of Career Advising and Planning Services

Conducted hour-long behavioral and business case interviews with undergraduate and graduate students, and provided feedback on interview performance. Answered on-going questions and advised students during the job interview process.

Sociology Instructor 2008–2009

The American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Introduction to Sociology

Race, Ethnicity, Class and Gender in Drama

Designed original courses and in-class exercises to engage undergraduate students. Assigned a combination of 4 paper assignments per term, quizzes and exams to continually challenge and exercise the students’ critical thinking, writing, and logical argument skills.

Teaching Assistant for Terry Clark 2005

University of Chicago , Sociology

Political Sociology

Lead weekly discussion groups and designed and graded exams for graduate students in the Sociology Department.

Teaching Assistant for Edward O. Laumann 2004

University of Chicago , Sociology

Organizational Analysis

Lead weekly discussion groups and designed and graded exams for graduate students in the Sociology Department and Business School.

Henderson Fund Award 2003–2006

Division of Social Sciences, University of Chicago

Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Achievement, New York University 1993-1997

Charlotte B. Newcombe Scholarship, New York University 1994-1997

Academic All American – Every Track Season, New York University 1993-1996