Sonia Torres Rodríguez is a mixed methods research analyst at the Urban Institute. Born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Sonia’s experiences as a member of the Boricua diaspora influenced their policy-oriented research interests in labor, racial stratification, migration, and development economics. As a research analyst, they use empirical methods to explore racial equity, neighborhood change, equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and community-engaged methods. Sonia also assists with the management of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, a network advancing the effective and equitable use of data and technology. Previously, Sonia completed an ethnographic research fellowship with Stanford’s Center for Poverty and Inequality, exploring the economic experiences of Black and Latin families in Texas and Florida.

Sonia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematical Economic Analysis from Rice University. They are currently completing a Master of Science in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University, with coursework in regional economics, microeconomics, and econometrics, and were recently awarded a 2021 APPAM Equity & Inclusion Student Fellowship. Outside of academia, Sonia is passionate about community-based mutual aid, and has volunteered for two initiatives including Rice for Black Life, which raised $93,000 dollars, and a Winter Storm Uri Campaign, which raised $20,000.