Experts on countries of origin by country

Dr. Astrid Barrondo is a globally recognized expert in international human rights law and justice reform. With a Ph.D. and multiple postgraduate degrees from top European universities, she has led impactful legal, research, and advocacy initiatives across Latin America, Europe, and North America. From litigating landmark cases before the Inter-American Court to training government officials on anti-corruption strategies, Astrid has remained at the forefront of global justice advocacy. Her extensive publications and advisory work reflect her commitment to defending the rights of the most vulnerable, especially Indigenous peoples, women, and laborers. Fluent in Spanish and English, she is a powerhouse of legal intellect, human rights dedication, and cross-border collaboration.

Simone Elyse Carter is a public health and humanitarian expert with over 15 years of experience in outbreak analytics, research coordination, and strategic leadership. She currently serves as the Lead for Integrated Outbreak Analytics (IOA) at UNICEF, providing technical guidance and capacity strengthening for emergency response efforts worldwide.

Throughout her career, Simone has played a key role in developing data-driven solutions for complex health crises, leading interdisciplinary teams, and fostering global partnerships. Her work has included chairing the IOA working group under the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and overseeing systematic research dissemination to improve outbreak response strategies.

Previously, Simone managed the Integrated Analytics Cell (CAI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she contributed to the development of evidence-based response mechanisms during public health emergencies. Her expertise spans epidemiology, humanitarian coordination, and policy development, making her a vital resource in advancing data-informed decision-making in crisis contexts.

Patricia Foxen is a cultural anthropologist with 30 years of experience working in academic, policy and program contexts with Latino immigrant and refugee populations in the U.S. and Canada. She has written extensively about Central American migration and indigenous communities and is the author of the book In Search of Providence: Transnational Mayan Identities (Vanderbilt University Press, 2008; updated edition, 2020), as well as numerous peer-reviewed articles and major reports.  Dr. Foxen served for 14 years as Deputy Director of Research at UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza), the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., where she oversaw data-driven policy-oriented research, directed and published community-based research on the integration and well-being of Latino youth and families, and communicated findings to external audiences such as policy makers, media outlets, practitioners and universities. Dr. Foxen has taught at Vanderbilt University and the University of Toronto, has been a visiting fellow at Yale University and American University, and is a frequent guest lecturer. She has served on boards and advisory bodies including the Population Reference Bureau, Child Trends Hispanic Institute Advisory Council, the… Read more

Cameron Garcia is a rising leader in international security intelligence, combining academic excellence with practical diplomacy. His intelligence roles in private and governmental sectors demonstrate a deep command of regional threats, sociopolitical dynamics, and global security frameworks. With hands-on diplomatic experience from Latin America to Europe, Cameron excels at crisis analysis and advisory roles. He is an invaluable asset for organizations navigating complex geopolitical environments.

Lwanga Gasuza Musisi is a dedicated project manager currently spearheading initiatives at Africans in Partnership Against AIDS in Toronto, Canada. Combining his passion for social justice with both non-profit and academic endeavors, Lwanga envisions transformative change at both macro and micro levels. Recently defending his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, OISE, in the Social Justice department, Lwanga delved into the exploration of "Normalcy" within the Ugandan Education system, particularly focusing on its impact on children with autism. His academic journey also includes a Master's degree from the same department in 2017 and a Bachelors Specialist degree in Anthropology, where he was a Dean's List Scholar and graduated with High Distinction at the same university.

Beyond academia, Lwanga's leadership prowess was showcased during his four term tenure as the President of the University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union (UTGSU), where he ardently advocated for the diverse needs of the graduate student community. In this role, he collaborated with faculty and administration, shaping impactful policies and initiatives. His contributions extended to chairing the finance committee, overseeing the financial affairs of the union. Outside the professional sphere,… Read more

Dr. Nicolas Parent is a Part-time Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, and Junior Research Fellow at the Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa, Wilfrid Laurier University. Drawing on the disciplines of anthropology, geography, political science, and law, he examines the cultural, spatial, and politico-legal dimensions of persecution and discrimination. He has conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork in Peru, Rwanda, and Turkey, producing original research and providing consulting services in the areas of migration policy, refugee rights, and integration.

As a practitioner, Dr. Parent has taken on active roles in several organizations, including the Association for Solidarity with Refugees, the International Refugee Rights Initiative, Watch The Med, and Columbia University’s Teachers for Teachers Initiative. He is also founder of Praxis Initiative and the Observatory for Human Rights and Forced Migrants in Turkey. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Montreal-based The Refugee Centre.

Alexander Parini is a dynamic educator, policy communicator, and regional expert on U.S.-Asia relations with significant teaching and advisory experience across Vietnam and China. As a lecturer, columnist, and editor, he excels in translating complex global affairs into accessible narratives for students, policymakers, and international audiences. His written work and public commentary featured by My Asia Connections and BBC Vietnamese have examined education diplomacy, trade shifts, and post-pandemic geopolitics, making him a valuable contributor to discourse on Asia’s evolving regional role. With deep academic credentials from SOAS and Peking University, and a solid grounding in U.S. and UK institutional contexts, he represents a rare blend of academic, editorial, and intercultural insight. Alexander’s ability to bridge Western and Asian perspectives through public speaking, writing, and classroom leadership marks him as an influential figure in global education and policy circles.