Christina J. Diaz

Christina J. Diaz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Rice University, specializing in social demography, immigration, and family formation. Her research focuses on the health and well-being of Latin American immigrants and the cultural, social, and economic impacts of immigration on U.S. society. Prior to joining Rice in 2021, she was an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona's School of Sociology.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology (demography/ecology), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015
• M.S. and M.A. in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison and DePaul University
• B.A. in Sociology, DePaul University, 2007

Research Interests: Dr. Diaz’s work examines immigration’s role in shaping cultural dynamics, educational outcomes, and demographic trends. She investigates how immigrant-origin populations influence U.S. societal structures, including cuisine, language curricula, and family formation patterns. Her research bridges historical and contemporary perspectives, emphasizing the intersection of immigration with health, education, and inequality.

Recent Work Trends: Her publications analyze topics like segmented assimilation, educational mobility, and the socioeconomic implications of immigration. Recent work emphasizes methodological rigor (e.g., IV estimates for sibship size) and interdisciplinary approaches, such as linking cultural studies to demographic shifts.

Honors & Awards:

• Reuben Hill Award (National Council on Family Relations, 2017)
• Student Paper Award (ASA Sociology of Population Section, 2015)
• Best Poster Award (Population Association of America, 2014)
• CTE Faculty Fellow (2024–27)

Advisory & Teaching Roles: She advises the Hermes Telehealth Committee (2022) and teaches courses on family sociology, immigration, and advanced quantitative methods. Her teaching emphasizes practical skills like statistical modeling (Linear Models, STaRT workshops).