Nathan Jones, political science graduate student, has received a $14,200 dissertation fellowship from the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) to study the resiliency of drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. 

Through interviews with journalists, law enforcement personnel, academics, U.S. and Mexican government officials and other experts on Mexican trafficking, he aims to learn how, despite major offensives, the industry continues to thrive. 

Findings from his study have implications for international policy and law enforcement activities.  Funding will begin in October and run through June 2011.

The IGCC is a UC multi-campus research unit which facilitates innovative research into the causes of international conflict and cooperation.  Additional funding has been provided by the Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies in the School of Social Sciences at UC Irvine.