Education
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
September 2014 - June 2024
PhD in Geography, summa cum laude
Seattle, WA
Certificate in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
- Dissertation Title: Leisures of Responsibility: Spatializing Care and Wellness in Martial Arts Practice
- Committee: Michael Brown, Kim England, Lawrence Knopp
VIRGINIA TECH
August 2012 - August 2014
Master of Science in Geography, summa cum laude
Blacksburg, VA
- Master's Thesis Title: Discerning Neighborhood Characteristics as Contributing Factors for Infant Mortality in the Northern Plains
INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
August 2006 - December 2010
Bachelor of Arts, Geography/GIS and Cartography Concentration, magna cum laude
Indiana, PA
Dual Major Asian Studies
Robert E. Cook Honors College
- Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program | 2008-2010
- McNair Honors Thesis: Digitally Re-mastered: Relearning the Nation's Highway System Through Computer Generated Simulations
NAGOYA GAKUIN DAIGAKU
March - July 2009
Study Abroad
Nagoya, Aichii, Japan
- Japanese Language, History, and Culture
University Appointments
UW Continuum College
September 2024 - Pressent
Instructor
Seattle, WA
- Certificate in Geographic Information Systems Program
- C GIS 510: Principles of Cartography and Thematic Design - training continuing education students on best practices and design principles in cartography and thematic mapping
- Live demonstrations in ArcGIS Pro, coaching students on data management, geoprocessing, and representation
UW Center for Social Science Computation and Research (CSSCR)
January 2018 - June 2024
Research Consultant
Seattle, WA
- Assist faculty and students with research design and software usage
- Conduct quarterly workshops on software usage and research methods
- Classroom support and specialized workshops for affiliated departments
UW Deptartment of Geography
June 2016, Mar 2018 - Feb 2019, Mar 2021 - June 2022
Research Assistant
Seattle, WA
- Project Title: Shifting Spatialities of LGBTQ Life
- Amass and categorize raw locational data from historical resources
- Database construction, geocoding, and spatial analysis
UUW Deptartment of Geography
September 2015 - March 2018
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Seattle, WA
- GEOG 360: Principles of GIS Mapping - an introductory seminar detailing the structure, functionality, and applications of Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG 317: Geographic Information and Spatial Analysis - basic analytical techniques using ESRI software and adjacent platforms, including SPSS and Tableau
- GEOG 258: Digital Geographies - a comprehensive course on the creation and usage of geographic information online, including website publication using HTML, CSS, and Javascript
- GEOG 277: Geography of Cities - an introductory course on urban studies reviewing classics of urban critical theory and contemporary reflections inclusive of Global South urbanization
- GEOG 469: GIS Workshop - a project-based course during which students help local agencies achieve their goals of implementing geographic information systems of various kinds in their operations, including web-based publication, spatial analytic, and cartographic techniques
UW Deptartment of Geography
Multiple Appointments
Reader/Grader
Seattle, WA
- GEOG 360: Principles of GIS Mapping - Technical Support and Training | Spring 2022
- GEOG 381: Maps and Health - Technical Support | Summer 2021
- GEOG 123: Introduction to Globalization - Assignment and Exam Grading | Fall 2020
- GEOG 317: Geographic Information and Spatial Analysis - Substitute TA | Winter 2017
- GEOG 375: Geopolitics - Exam Grading | Winter 2017
- GEOG 425: Qualitative Methodology in Geography - Assignment Grading | Winter 2015
Virginia Tech Department of Geography
June 2014 - October 2014
Research Technician
Blacksburg, VA
- Epidemiological Spatial Analysis
- Land Use
- Geoprocessing
Virginia Tech Department of Geography
August 2012 - June 2014
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Blacksburg, VA
- GEOG 1004: Introduction to Human Geography
- GEOG 4054: Geography of Wine
- GEOG 4074/5074: Medical Geography
- GEOG 4204: Geography of Resources
Complementary Employment
Research Collaboration
January 2020 - October 2020
Research Consultant under Professor Kathie Friedman, PhD
Seattle, WA
- Qualitative methodologies needs assessment
- Coding and Data Extraction in Atlas.ti
Puget Sound SAGE
September 2019
Independent Contract: GIS Analyst and Cartographer
Seattle, WA
- Analysis of residential redevelopment impacts due to Seattle's Link Light Rail expansion
- Produce cartographic representations of research findings
Health Promotion Research Center, University of Washington
September 2019 - October 2019
Independent Contract: Workshop Instructor
Seattle, WA
- Design and teach a specialized workshop on SPSS syntax
- Quantitative Research Methods in Health Research
- Produce and distribute an online workbook on SPSS syntax
T&B Planning
May 2010- August 2010
GIS Analyst Internship
Murrysville, PA
- Database development of PLANPGH's Pittsburgh Cultural Heritage Plan
- Original data sourcing and editing
- Compilation of historical and modern resources to identify locations and verify conflicting information
- Remote conferencing via Skype
Fellowships & Scholarships
The Black Embodiments Studio
The Simpson Center for the Humanities, University of Washington | Winter 2018 - Fall 2019
Joff Hanauer Endowment for Excellence in Western Civilization Graduate Fellowship
The Simpson Center for the Humanities, University of Washington | Fall 2017 - Spring 2018
Howard Martin Research Grant
Department of Geography, University of Washington | Spring 2017
Department of Geography Diversity Scholarship
University of Washington | September 2014
GO-MAP (now GSEE) Doctoral Student Fellowship
University of Washington | Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
Ronald E. McNair Graduate Assistantship
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
Robert E. Cook Honors College Travel Enhancement Fund
Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Spring 2009
Other Scholarships
National Women's Martial Arts Federation Work Study Scholarship
Naperville, IL | March 2016
Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists Work Study Scholarship
Boulder Creek, CA | March 2015
Honors
Geography Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant
University of Washington Department of Geography | 2017
American Association of Geographers/National Council for Geographic Education Award
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Department of Geography | May 2011
Exceptional Student Award, African American Cultural Center Fall Pre-Commencement Program
Indiana University of Pennsylvania | December 2010
Provost Scholar
Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Fall 2008
Dean's List
Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Fall 2006 - Fall 2010
Conferences
A. Masilela (2023) "Latitude through Leisure: Exploring Care in the Practice of Martial Arts"
- American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting
- Virtual | May 23-27, 2023
A. Masilela (2019) "Developing Liberatory Curricula in the Martial Arts: Anti-Racism and Beyond"
- Martial Arts Studies Research Network Annual Conference
- Chapman University in Orange, CA | May 23-24, 2019
A. Masilela (2019) "Hands that hurt and heal: Trainer as "Care-giver" and Trainee as "Cared-for" in Martial Arts and Self-Defense Practice"
- Taking Care: A Conference for Engaging the Politics, Process, and Ethics of Care Work
- The University of Washington in Seattle, WA | May 3-4, 2019
A. Masilela (2019) "Considering Context for the Development of Liberatory Curricula in the Martial Arts"
- American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting
- Washington, DC | April 5, 2019
A. Masilela (2016) "Migration, Segregation, and the Proliferation of Martial Arts in the Western United States: An Overview"
- Association of Washington Geographers Annual Meeting
- Seattle, WA | May 21, 2016
A. Masilela (2014) "Discerning Neighborhood Characteristics as Contributing Factors to Infant Mortality in the Northern Plains"
- American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting
- Tampa, FL | April 8, 2014
A. Masilela (2014) "Discerning Neighborhood Characteristics as Contributing Factors to Infant Mortality in the Northern Plains"
- 3rd Annual College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Forum on Human Rights: "Engendering Human Rights"
- Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA | February 28, 2014
- Awarded Best Graduate Student Presentation
A. Masilela (2012). "Conservation in Crisis: A Story of Community Resistance Against Hydraulic Fracturing in the Yellow Creek Conservation Zone"
- Southeastern Division of the Association for American Geographers Annual Meeting
- Asheville, NC | November 18-20, 2012
A. Masilela, Z. Afshar, T. Iwase and M. Turner (2010). "A GIS-Based Analysis of Nuisance Properties in the Indiana Borough: 2007 & 2009 |An Ongoing Study)".
- Undergraduate Research at the Capitol Event, sponsored by the Legislative Office for Research Liaison
- Harrisburg, PA | October 5, 2010
- Presentation to the Indiana Borough Police and the Borough Planning Department
- Indiana, PA | April 24, 2010
- 5th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Forum, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Indiana, PA | April 1, 2010
- Tied 1st for Best Poster from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Student Representative at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Allies (PASSHE LGBTQIA) Consortium
- Penn State University
- State College, PA | October 30-31, 2009
A. Masilela (2008). "Digitally Re-mastered: Relearning the Nation's Highway System Through Computer Generated Simulations"
- The 16th Annual University of Buffalo National McNair Research Conference
- SUNY Buffalo, NY | July 2008
- McNair Scholars Program Summer Research Symposium, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Indiana, PA | June 2008
Guest Lectures
"Preparing for Interviews: Lessons from the Field and YouTube Video Production" and "Introduction to Atlas.ti"
- University of Washington Department of Geography | Spring 2023
- Presented in GEOG 525: Qualitative Methods
"Food Justice, Housing Justice, Economic Justice… Leisure Justice?"
- University of Washington Department of Geography | Winter 2021
- Presented in GEOG 377: Urban Political Geography
"Urban Spatial Reclamation through the Body: Sport and Leisure as Liberatory Praxis Among Marginalized Groups"
- University of Washington Department of Geography | Winter 2018
- Presented in GEOG 476: Women and the City
"Gendered Discourses of Public Space: Utilizing softball as liberatory praxis and a conduit for feminist political organizing"
- University of Washington Department of Geography | Winter 2017
- Presented in GEOG 476: Women and the City
"Careers in GIS: Selling yourself in a world of non-geographers"
- University of Washington Department of Geography | Spring 2016
- Presented in GEOG 360: Principles of GIS Mapping
Research Proficiences
Qualitative Methods
Software:
Atlas.ti, Audacity, Shotcut
- Semi-Structured Interviews
- Participant-Observation
- Landscape Characteristic Analysis
- Conceptual and Relational Content Analysis
Geographic Information Systems
Software:
QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS (9.2 - 12.0)
Field Data Collection:
Fulcrum, QField
Web-based:
ArcGIS Online, CartoDB, Google MyMaps
- Spatial Analysis
- Spatial Statistics
- Network Analysis
- American Community Survey
- US Census TIGER/Line Geodatabases
- University of Wisconsin Neighborhood Area Deprivation Index Atlas
Quantitative Methods
Software:
SPSS, Tableau, JMP
- Descriptive, Inferential, Exploratory, and Predictive Analyses
- Likert Scales and Reliability Testing
Programming and Syntax
- SPSS Syntax: Intermediate
- HTML and CSS: Intermediate
- Python: Beginner
- Javascript: Beginner
Departmental Service
Online Educational Resource Repository and YouTube Channel
CSSCR and the UW Dept. of Geography | Summer 2018 - Present
https://students.washington.edu/ayandm/tutfiles/
Ongoing production of written technical tutorials and instructional YouTube videos for students to self-pace through the early stages of learning statistical and GIS software suites. These tutorials include ArcMap, Atlas.ti, QGIS, SPSS, and Tableau.
Geography Graduate Students Association Co-President
University of Washington Department of Geography | Fall 2019 - Spring 2021
Colloquium Committee
University of Washington Department of Geography | Fall 2016 - Spring 2018
GO-MAP (now GSEE) Diversity Scholar
UW Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence | Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
Coffee Hour Committee
University of Washington Department of Geography | Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
Volunteer/Service Research
Upward Bound Math and Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
January 2022 - May 2022
Statistics and GIS Consultant
(Remote) Seattle, WA
- Assist UBMS in the composition of their grant proposal for federal funding (2022 cycle)
- Interface data from the US Census and the Pennsylvania Department of Education using SPSS and QGIS
- Create data visualizations in Tableau
Coalition for a Healthy County
June 2011 - June 2013
GIS and Real Map Analyst Internship
Murrysville, PA
- Preparation of community education materials detailing the state of Marcellus Shale drilling practices
- Land use policy assessment
- Routine stakeholder collaboration with local community organizations
Upward Bound Math and Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
August 2011 - June 2012
Statistics and GIS Consultant
Indiana, PA
- Assist UBMS in the composition of their grant proposal for federal funding (2012 cycle)
- Interface data from the US Census and the Pennsylvania Department of Education using ArcMap
- Comparative analysis of change over time and the production of textual reports