Diana Lee is a PhD candidate in the Political Science department at Columbia University. Her research interests are in racial politics, local politics, and methodology. Her dissertation, supported by an APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant, examines political ambition and candidate emergence among racial minorities in the U.S., investigating their entry decisions from initial interest in running for office to officially becoming a candidate. Her methodological research includes improving external validity and applying machine learning to solve measurement issues in identity politics.