In 2015, Mariella Zavala arrived at UCI to become the Merage School’s first undocumented student. Her research interests include marginalized consumers, retail design and social media, and she wrote her dissertation on “disruptive marketplaces”—an examination of the way physical and digital marketplaces can disrupt social norms and affect consumer experience.

During the interview, Mrs. Zavala speaks about her personal journey and pursuing her Doctoral degree.

If you would like to connect with Mariella Zavala, you can reach her at mariella.c.zavala@gmail.com or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mariellaczavala.