Home Staff Directory

Staff Directory

The Generation is an online foreign affairs magazine featuring student’s perspectives on global current events. Our title pays homage to this generation of young people, who as a result of our increasingly interconnected world are more aware of and active in global events than prior generations.

The Generation is a project based out of the Burkle Center for International Relations at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

We accept applications on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more about how to write for The Generation.


Grace Funk

Editor-in-Chief

Grace Funk is a fourth-year history major with global studies and art history minors. Her life-long passion for learning languages, particularly French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish, has fueled her interest in international affairs. Grace currently researches for the UCLA Center for Middle East Development and works for the Fulbright Program, and she has also served as an intern for the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations. She is passionate about building a better future through the intersection of history and policy. In her free time, Grace loves to read historical fiction, visit museums, and go to Dodger games.

Jade Faircloth

Staff Writer

Jade Faircloth is a third-year global studies and public affairs double major. She is interested in topics relating to international criminal law, human rights, and accountability within the criminal justice system. After graduation, she hopes to travel and attend law school. In her spare time, she enjoys thrifting, dancing, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Seamus Kim

Staff Writer

Seamus Kim is a fourth-year cognitive science major who is minoring in Philosophy and Global Studies. He is interested in the intersection between philosophy and IR, particularly the foundational assumptions of structural theories like realism and liberalism. In his free time, he likes to play guitar, read, and help run his family’s martial arts business.

Madeline Abellera

Staff Writer

Madeline Abellera is a second-year political science major who intends to minor in Russian studies. She is especially interested in the geopolitics of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and hopes to attend law school after graduation (specializing in international law). Madeline has worked as an intern for the government of her Bay Area hometown, and competes on the UCLA Model United Nations team. In her free time, she enjoys going to museums, drinking coffee, and learning about random niche historical events.

Joey Sinigiani

Staff Writer

Chaitanya Kishore

Staff Writer

Tracy Tawil

Staff Writer

Joey Sinigiani is a second-year political science and global studies double major. He is particularly interested in African geopolitics regarding conflict and governance, and plans on going to law school after graduation to then practice diplomacy. Joey is currently involved in the Model United Nations travel team, as well as the United Nations Association, and the International Urban Sustainability Student Corps at UCLA. In his free time, he enjoys a good workout, trying new food, and traveling the world.

Chaitanya Kishore is a second-year political science major. He is interested in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region and international collaboration on social issues. He plans to go to law school and hopes to work in countries all around the world. In his free time, Chaitanya loves to listen to music, bake, read the news, and watch shows. 

Tracy Tawil is a fourth-year economics and international development studies double major. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, she is particularly focused on Middle Eastern affairs, especially the Levant, and has a keen interest in international humanitarian law. After graduating from UCLA, Tracy plans to pursue a career in economic and geopolitical research, aiming to enhance her technical skills before eventually transitioning into law school. In her free time, she enjoys exploring California through road trips, practicing yoga, reading, baking, watching sunsets, and watching movies. 

Lucine Ekizian

Staff Writer

Charlie Donlan

Staff Writer

Zack Apt

Staff Writer

Lucine Ekizian is a second-year global studies major with a professional writing minor. She is currently a slot editor at the Daily Bruin and a researcher for the UCLA Center for Middle Eastern Development. Lucine is interested in the relationship between media coverage and human rights. Additionally, she is passionate about analyzing how accountability is sustained through the media. In her free time, she loves to go to the movies, find new bookstores, and visit the Norton Simon Museum.

Charlie Donlan is a third-year political science major pursuing a minor in global studies. He is particularly interested in the limited power of international institutions to protect human rights and hold bad actors accountable. Additionally, he enjoys studying the influence of popular culture on international relations. After graduation, Charlie plans to attend law school and eventually pursue a career in international law that allows him to travel the world. In his free time, Charlie enjoys playing soccer and basketball, hiking with friends, and practicing the guitar.

Zack Apt is a fourth-year political science major and statistics minor. He is interested in Middle East geopolitics and the power of multilateral institutions to prevent conflict. He is a fellow with the Israel Policy Forum and Nazarian Center on campus where he strives to advance nuanced dialogue around a two state solution. In his free time, Zack enjoys all things outdoors, watching sports and traveling.

Matthew Inui

Staff Writer

Clarissa Damesyn

Staff Writer

Brianna Bell

Staff Writer

Matthew Inui is a first-year global studies and economics major with a minor in East Asian studies. He is interested in international economic development and trade, specifically in Asia, and hopes to go to law school to study international economic law. His ultimate goal is to work in an international financial organization such as the World Bank or World Trade Organization as a dispute resolution lawyer. In his free time, Matthew enjoys reading, cooking, and drinking coffee. 

Clarissa Damesyn is a second-year International Development Studies and Geography/Environmental Studies Major pursuing a minor in African Studies. She is particularly interested in debt held by Global South countries and the barriers to dealing with climate-induced disasters, as well as diplomatic relations to hold Global North countries accountable for their exorbitant greenhouse gas emissions. She intends to pursue an M.phil in Development Studies overseas and eventually work in environmental consulting with developing nations. In her free time, Clarissa enjoys hiking, reading, playing pickleball, and time with her loved ones!

Brianna Bell is a first-year global studies major. She is interested in topics relating to national security, conflict resolution, and international competition, focusing especially on Russia, China, and the Middle East. In the future, she hopes to travel and study abroad. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family.