Jessica DiCarlo graduated with a PhD from the Geography Department at CU Boulder. Her research interests lie in critical development studies, political ecology, infrastructure studies and polical geography. Her fascination with the Himalayan region was sparked nearly a decade ago as a Princeton-in-Asia fellow. Since, she has lived and worked in China, eastern Tibet, Nepal and India with research institutions and NGOs. Jessica earned an MA in Development Studies from the University of California Berkeley and BA in Political Science and International Studies from Pepperdine University. Her master's thesis examined post-disaster aid and agricultural transitions in Nepal. She enjoys high and dry places in the mountains and deserts, climbing, yoga, and running.