Therese is currently pursuing a bachelor's degrees in International Relations with a concentration in foreign policy and history from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. She plans to graduate in May 2011.

At the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, Therese is currently conducting research on country case studies and various other topics for the Public Diplomacy Wiki. Her primary public diplomacy interests center on the impact of culture, history, and perception on the efficacy of both foreign and domestic policy, especially in Europe and Asia. Therese's other interests are wide-ranging and include studying the development of Third World countries as well as the role of development aid.

Born in the Philippines and raised in Pasadena, California, Therese speaks English, Tagalog, and Spanish.