Turkish Heritage

Catherine Murphy is a graduate of the University of San Francisco’s International Studies program and a passionate advocate for human rights and international cooperation. During her undergraduate career, she spent a semester in Peru doing bilingual field research on indigenous peoples and globalization and studying the indigenous language of Quechua. She is a two-time United Nations Association Emerging Leaders Fellow, and previously served as a delegate for the UNA at the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2020. 

She comes with a broad variety of research experience, including as a Fellow in the California State Assembly and an Autonomous Vehicle Research Fellow with the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency. Most recently, she was a Research and Policy Fellow at Pay Our Interns, the nation’s leading nonprofit fighting for equitable access to career advancement for low-income communities. 

She is excited to continue her work at the Turkish Heritage Organization, and looks forward to expanding her working knowledge about US-Turkish relations and foreign policy more generally. 

Beliz is a student at Pomona College in California, majoring in International Relations and minoring in History. Because of her Turkish background, she is highly interested in Turkish-US bilateral relations. This past summer, she had a chance to work with torganization that gave her a chance to attend many hearings and events on U.S.-Turkey Relations as well as Middle Eastern conflicts. She hopes to contribute her own unique perspective to the THO research team.

Jackie Schluger is a current undergraduate student at the George Washington University studying International Affairs and security policy with a minor in Arabic. She has previously worked for international NGOs in the Middle East, on Capitol Hill, and for human rights and security nonprofits. During her time at THO, Jackie looks forward to connecting with more international experts throughout D.C. as well as furthering her research on NATO security issues and U.S.-Turkey relations. 

Angelina Sandora is a student at Michigan State University in her last year studying international relations with minors in Italian, Jewish Studies, and European Studies. Within her studies in international relations she has developed a strong interest in the EU and NATO. She has done different advocacy work domestically and internationally. Most recently working with NGOs focusing on religious freedom. During her time in THO, she looks forward to learning more from experts in the field and really delve deeper into her passion. Angelina Sandora is a student at Michigan State University in her last year studying international relations with minors in Italian, Jewish Studies, and European Studies. Within her studies in international relations she has developed a strong interest in the EU and NATO. She has done different advocacy work domestically and internationally. Most recently working with NGOs focusing on religious freedom. During her time in THO, she looks forward to learning more from experts in the field and really delve deeper into her passion.

Jimmy is a recent graduate of Stockton University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Historical Studies. Throughout his undergraduate career, he spent time studying the political situation and history of the near east. Last fall he had the opportunity to work for a human rights advocacy NGO based in DC. That experience strengthened skills such as research and allowed him to apply much of the information he was learning at Stockton. He considers what he studies to also be a passion. He is excited to apply more of what he has learned at university, expand his knowledge of Turkish-American bilateral relations, and connect with others in the field.

Amelia Atalay holds a B.A. in International & Global Studies with minors in Economics and Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies from Brandeis University. She is currently pursuing her MA in International Affairs with a concentration in Diplomacy at Boston University. During her undergraduate career, Amelia spent time studying and working in Brussels, London, Istanbul, and Washington D.C. She is primarily interested in the U.S.-Turkey relationship and Turkey's political position in the Middle East. With the Turkish Heritage Organization, Amelia is excited to learn alongside professionals in the field, engage in conversations and research on NATO, and promote positive U.S.-Turkey relations.