She joined the department in 2001 after receiving her MA and PhD from Texas A&M University. She holds a BS degree from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. Her teaching and research interests focus on the study of political institutions, congressional decision making, interest groups and the role of money in politics. Her research has been published in The Journal of Politics, Electoral Studies, and American Politics Research. Prior to pursuing an academic career, Dr. Chin spent four years in Washington, DC as a legislative staffer for U.S. Representative Joe Barton where she handled science and telecommunication issues and worked to pass the Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 (PL-404). She is currently working on a book-length study of congressional accessibility to organized interest groups. In addition, Dr. Chin is co-investigator with Eric Lindquist of Texas A&M University on a study of federal advisory committees (FACs) to examine science and technology policymaking and the role of the FACs in maintaining balance among competing interests in the policymaking process.