Diego Taboada is a PhD candidate in sociology with a concentration in criminology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). Diego received his BA in sociology from the UTK and his MS degree in criminology and criminal justice from California State University, Long Beach. He also earned a second MS degree in geography from UTK.

His work is rooted in the carceral geographies and racial capitalism literature and centers around issues of race, place, carcerality, and the urban political economy. Diego has taught courses on criminology, criminal justice, and research methods. He is an avid sports fan who enjoys reading, writing, exercising, and spending time with his family.