TEAM MEMBERS
Prof. Stefanie DeLuca
Stefanie DeLuca is the Lead Researcher and Co-Director of The Community Study. She is a professor of sociology at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her PhD in Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University and has over 20 years of experience studying communities across the country.

Stefanie’s research about neighborhoods, housing, and education spans cities nationwide. Her book, Coming of Age in the Other America (with Susan Clampet-Lundquist and Kathryn Edin), was named an Outstanding Academic Title by the American Library Association, received the William F. Goode Award from the American Sociological Association, and has been featured widely in outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post, The Nation, NPR, PBS, and BBC Newsday.
Outside of her research, she loves spending time with her five cats and is an avid cyclist.
Prof. Kaylee Matheny


Kaylee Matheny is the Co-Director of The Community Study. She is a professor of public policy at Georgetown University and a Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her PhD in Sociology of Education and Education Policy at Stanford University. Her research examines place, education, and opportunity. 
Before completing her PhD, Kaylee worked as a high school English teacher in her hometown of Griffin, GA, where she loved connecting with the next generation of her community. Her first job was at the Waffle House, in Griffin, GA. 
Outside of work, Kaylee is an avid reader, especially of science fiction and fantasy, and a cat mom to two beautiful fur babies with her husband, her high school sweetheart. She’s also the Director of Fun for the team—she brings at least five board games to every site they visit!
Dr. Emily Miller is a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University. She received her PhD from Princeton University where she studied the suburbs in the 21st century. Before graduate school, she worked on research projects about teenage health, families, and parenting. Her first job was being a local tourism ambassador in her Western Colorado hometown. Emily’s favorite thing about interviewing is learning all the ideas about how people want to make their communities better. She also loves checking out favorite restaurants, local history, and going on bus tours. Outside of work, she enjoys weightlifting, listening to live music, reading books by local authors, board games, and thrifting.
Dr. Emily Miller is a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University. She received her PhD from Princeton University where she studied the suburbs in the 21st century. Before graduate school, she worked on research projects about teenage health, families, and parenting. Her first job was being a local tourism ambassador in her Western Colorado hometown. Emily’s favorite thing about interviewing is learning all the ideas about how people want to make their communities better. She also loves checking out favorite restaurants, local history, and going on bus tours. Outside of work, she enjoys weightlifting, listening to live music, reading books by local authors, board games, and thrifting.
Angelica Qin is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. She graduated from Princeton University in May 2023 with a degree in Sociology. She researches neighborhood change and community development. In her free time, Angelica loves to tell herself that she is going to watch a new TV show, even though she knows that she will just end up rewatching The Office, 30 Rock, or Superstore again.
Angelica Qin is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. She graduated from Princeton University in May 2023 with a degree in Sociology. She researches neighborhood change and community development. In her free time, Angelica loves to tell herself that she is going to watch a new TV show, even though she knows that she will just end up rewatching The Office, 30 Rock, or Superstore again.
Matt Gannon is is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 2022 and studied sociology and social policy in the United Kingdom. He researches how housing and neighborhoods affect people’s lives, and he writes about government benefits for Street Sense Media, a newspaper in DC. He’s an avid runner and is learning to bake!
Matt Gannon is is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 2022 and studied sociology and social policy in the United Kingdom. He researches how housing and neighborhoods affect people’s lives, and he writes about government benefits for Street Sense Media, a newspaper in DC. He’s an avid runner and is learning to bake!
Mia Xia (she/her) is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Social Policy and American Studies and a minor in Data Science. As an undergraduate, she served as a research assistant at the Institute for Policy Research, mentored K-8 students in Evanston and Chicago schools, and collaborated with community members to write and pass city-wide mental health policies. Stemming from her experiences working with students, Mia hopes to use policy research as an avenue for education justice and reform. Outside of work, Mia enjoys crocheting, ceramic throwing, binge-watching TV shows, and discovering new restaurants with friends.
Mia Xia (she/her) is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Social Policy and American Studies and a minor in Data Science. As an undergraduate, she served as a research assistant at the Institute for Policy Research, mentored K-8 students in Evanston and Chicago schools, and collaborated with community members to write and pass city-wide mental health policies. Stemming from her experiences working with students, Mia hopes to use policy research as an avenue for education justice and reform. Outside of work, Mia enjoys crocheting, ceramic throwing, binge-watching TV shows, and discovering new restaurants with friends.
Julia Kapusta is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University . Originally from Louisiana, Julia graduated from Boston University with her Bachelors in Psychology. Prior to joining PIRL, she has held several internship roles at the Brookings Institution, the New Orleans Bureau of Governmental Research, and Northeastern University School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. In her free time, Julia loves to travel, play tennis, and listen to pop music too loud.
Julia Kapusta is a Predoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University . Originally from Louisiana, Julia graduated from Boston University with her Bachelors in Psychology. Prior to joining PIRL, she has held several internship roles at the Brookings Institution, the New Orleans Bureau of Governmental Research, and Northeastern University School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. In her free time, Julia loves to travel, play tennis, and listen to pop music too loud.
Sandy is an undergraduate research assistant at PIRL and part of the Hopkins class of 2027. Outside of PIRL, she is a part of the Critical Diaspora Studies working group, an Administrative Assistant for the Hopkins Food Pantry, and a member of the Phi Mu Fraternity. In the past, she received the Dean’s ASPIRE Grant to pursue an independent oral history research project about Latinx student mobilization. In her spare time, she enjoys live music, cooking, updating her poetry blog, and second-hand shopping.
Sandy is an undergraduate research assistant at PIRL and part of the Hopkins class of 2027. Outside of PIRL, she is a part of the Critical Diaspora Studies working group, an Administrative Assistant for the Hopkins Food Pantry, and a member of the Phi Mu Fraternity. In the past, she received the Dean’s ASPIRE Grant to pursue an independent oral history research project about Latinx student mobilization. In her spare time, she enjoys live music, cooking, updating her poetry blog, and second-hand shopping.
Anahat is a member of the Johns Hopkins Class of 2028, majoring in Public Health Studies. At Outside of her work at the Johns Hopkins University Department of Sociology, she is a part of South Asian Students at Hopkins (SASH), Hopkins Community Connection (HCC), and Epidemic Proportions at Hopkins. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, eating ice cream, running, and spending time with friends.
Anahat is a member of the Johns Hopkins Class of 2028, majoring in Public Health Studies. At Outside of her work at the Johns Hopkins University Department of Sociology, she is a part of South Asian Students at Hopkins (SASH), Hopkins Community Connection (HCC), and Epidemic Proportions at Hopkins. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, eating ice cream, running, and spending time with friends.
Olivia is a member of the Johns Hopkins Class of 2028, majoring in International Studies and Moral and Political Economy. Outside of her work in the Department of Sociology, she is on the Hopkins Model UN team and a part of the Critical Diaspora Studies working group. She is also a Woodrow Wilson Fellow studying US foreign policy influence on Korean gender policy from 1945-1987. In her free time, she likes to hike, go to concerts, and read.
Olivia is a member of the Johns Hopkins Class of 2028, majoring in International Studies and Moral and Political Economy. Outside of her work in the Department of Sociology, she is on the Hopkins Model UN team and a part of the Critical Diaspora Studies working group. She is also a Woodrow Wilson Fellow studying US foreign policy influence on Korean gender policy from 1945-1987. In her free time, she likes to hike, go to concerts, and read.