Lab Staff
Dr. Tim LaPira
Lab Director
Timothy M. LaPira, PhD, is professor of political science and director of the American Political Reform & Innovation Lab (APRILab) at James Madison University in Virginia. He is also a faculty affiliate at the Center for Effective Lawmaking and an external scholar at the Sunwater Institute Congressional Reform Program. His expertise is on Congress, interest groups, lobbying, and political elite behavior. His books include Revolving Door Lobbying: Public Service, Private Influence, and the Unequal Representation of Interests(University Press of Kansas, 2017) and Congress Overwhelmed: The Decline of Congressional Capacity and Prospects for Reform (University of Chicago Press, 2020). His research has been funded by The National Science Foundation, Sunlight Foundation, Democracy Fund, Hewlett Foundation, the American Political Science Association, Data for Progress, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, and the Dirksen Congressional Center. He has written more than twenty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and serves as editor in chief of the journal Interest Groups & Advocacy. He previously worked on Capitol Hill as the American Political Science Association Public Service Fellow at the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and as a legislative assistant to a member of Congress in the 1990s. LaPira was also a researcher at the Center for Responsive Politics, where he was responsible for developing the Lobbying and Revolving Door databases on OpenSecrets.org.
Riley Miller
Lab Manager
Riley Miller is currently earning her Master’s Degree in the Communication and Advocacy program, strategic concentration, at James Madison University. During her time in undergrad at James Madison University, Riley worked in the APRILab as a Research Assistant and Communications & Media Liaison. Post-graduation, Riley has become the APRILab’s Lab Manager. Riley has also held multiple positions as a political intern at all levels of government, from Virginia’s 2021 gubernatorial race to a Congressional intern for her Pennsylvania Representative in Washington, DC. She is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta and Phi Beta Kappa. Riley hopes to pursue a career in public affairs and advocacy that highlights the importance of equitable education in the United States.
Kayla Dixon
Research Assistant
Kayla is a double duke with her Bachelor's of Arts in Public Administration with minors in Political Science and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. She is currently starting her MPA at JMU through the 5th year program, concentrating in public management. Kayla is interested in local government administration and equitable management, and has interned at Harrisonburg’s City Manager’s Office where she researched potential policy solutions for the city. She is currently a research assistant for Dr. Abraham Goldberg in the Political Science Department, completing research on free speech and civic engagement on campuses. Outside of her academic work, she owns a small art business called KD Creative where she sells crochet goods at local markets. Kayla spends her free time on hikes with her dog, weight lifting at the gym, exploring the local farmers market, and painting.
Jerry Huang
Research Assistant
Jerry is a Senior majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Jazz Studies. Before coming to JMU Jerry transferred with an Associate’s in Computer Science from Virginia Western Community College. He is currently a member of the Asian Student Union, in his spare time he enjoys playing video games and playing his saxophone and guitar.
Samantha Kaplan
Research Assistant
Samantha is a senior studying Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Information & Cybersecurity Management and a minor in Asian Studies. On campus, Samantha is an active member of JMU’s Cyber Defense Club, where she learns how to mitigate and avoid cyber threats. She is also a member of the Association of Information Systems. Outside of academics, Samantha enjoys spending her free time going for a run or hiking. After graduation, she plans to move to South Korea and work in technology consulting.
Teagan Kolenbrander
Research Assistant
Teagan is a junior double major, studying Secondary Education and English. She is also in the Honors College. Prior to attending JMU, Teagan worked at the United States Embassy in the Netherlands. Outside of academics, Teagan enjoys reading, going to the gym, and traveling. She hopes to teach overseas someday at an international school in Europe.
Will Whited
Research Assistant
Will is a Senior earning his undergraduate degree in Psychology while working on his minors in Art and Honors. Before coming to JMU, received his associate degree in general studies from Southwest Virginia Community College. He participated in the Student Government Association at his community college. During his time in Student Government Association, he left a legacy project to open up LGBTQIA+ resources center for present and future students. In the summer of 2024, Will did an internship at East Tennessee State University for Ronald E. McNair Program in TRIO Department. He also completed a research proposal on Fear of Eating: The Role of Socioeconomics Status and Sex in Autism Spectrum Disorder. At the end of the internship, he was awarded the Ronald E. McNair Scholar Certificate.
