I am a Research Fellow at the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA) and a PhD candidate in Political Science at Boston University. My research focuses on the intersections of religion, state formation, and institutional development in Muslim-majority countries, particularly in South Asia and Southeast Asia. I explore how religious organizations shape state-building processes, influence governance structures, and contribute to political transformations in postcolonial societies.Drawing on historical comparative analysis and survey research, I examine how Islam interacts with political systems, elections, and the development of modern states. My work seeks to provide fresh insights into the role of religion in shaping institutional trajectories, contributing to broader discussions on democracy, authoritarianism, and state consolidation in diverse societies.Prior to Boston University, I completed a master's degree in Political Science at San Diego State University. I am deeply committed to producing original research that bridges Western scholarship with localized understandings of state formation and political change in Muslim-majority contexts.