She received her PhD in International Relations from Florida International University. Her research straddles both fields of International Relations and Comparative Politics. Her scholarly work focuses broadly on the nexus between resources and politics, and more specifically, on the sources of political and economic variation among resource rich developing countries. Her current research delves into the geopolitics of Botswana diamonds and the rise of resource nationalism in southern Africa. Prior to joining Chico State, Dr. Gapa has taught government courses at St Lawrence University and Providence College. She currently teaches the Politics of Developing Nations, Introduction to Comparative Politics, Politics of Africa, Comparative Political Institutions, War and Conflict and a Graduate seminar in International Security.