Current Students

Sreya has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Research Methods and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Ashoka University. After graduating, she worked at the Centre for Development Economics (Delhi School of Economics) on research projects studying the intersection of caste and allocation of public goods in India. Subsequently, she worked at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) India, where she collaborated closely with The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to conceptualize and implement vehicular pollution and congestion abatement policies. Over the summer, Sreya interned with the Rapid Social Response Trust Fund team in the Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice at the World Bank. She led independent portfolio analyses to identify mechanisms to maximize the extent to which the 30-billion-dollar WBG social protection portfolio can improve food and nutrition outcomes for the most vulnerable. In the future, she envisions working at the intersection of research and policy implementation. She aspires to work with multi‐national development institutions to lead policy at the grassroots level, strengthen local institutions, and empower communities to improve resource allocation.

Bryan is a from Mauritius and worked as a Senior Research Associate for the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR). At IRI, Bryan worked closely with program teams in emerging democracies to conduct public opinion polls and prepare polling reports for stakeholders. Bryan is also part of YOUNGO where he is collaborating with other young activists from around the world to make the voices of the youth heard in the fight against climate change. He has most recently used his proficiency in French to help with the French translation of the Global Youth Statement which was presented at COP28. Bryan received his B.A. in Political Science and Quantitative Economics at Lycoming College. After Princeton SPIA, Bryan hopes to work for international development institutions to contribute toward the implementation of economic policies that will help households in countries that are vulnerable to the impact of climate change. In his free time, Bryan enjoys working out and trying out new recipes.

Passionate about advancing evidence-based policy in low- and middle-income countries and capacity-building in urban slums, Jiya most recently worked as a Research Coordinator for the Development Innovation Lab in Uganda, managing projects in education, public governance, and community development. Previously, Jiya supported the research portfolios of development economists Michael Kremer and Rachel Glennerster at the University of Chicago. During the COVID pandemic, Jiya served as a Policy Fellow for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, focusing on research, policy advocacy, and outreach to Boston’s immigrant and refugee communities. As a Fulbright Fellow in India, she conducted an ethnography and resource mapping on NGOs and housing rights in Mumbai slums. In her free time, Jiya loves exploring urban spaces, curling up with a good book alongside her cat Abe, and trying her hand at new hobbies and languages.

Ana was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. Before Princeton, she worked at Instiglio, an international advisory firm, where she supported governments, multilateral agencies, and philanthropies in designing and implementing results-based financing programs in low- and middle-income countries. Through these experiences, she became deeply interested in migration policy and in making public spending and development aid more effective, sustainable, and impactful to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. This past summer, she interned at the World Bank’s Development Research Group, contributing to policy research on refugee labor market integration in Ethiopia. Ana holds a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Political Science from Universidad de los Andes. At Princeton, she hopes to deepen her expertise in evidence-based policymaking and design solutions that strengthen development outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Mahmud is a career civil servant from Bangladesh with a multidisciplinary background spanning electrical engineering, public administration and social protection. He has served in diverse regional contexts – from coordinating humanitarian and environmental interventions in Cox’s Bazar during the Rohingya crisis, to resolving land disputes and ensuring access to services for marginalized communities in the flood-prone district of Kurigram. Most recently, he worked as the Private Secretary to the Executive Chairman of the National Pension Authority under the Ministry of Finance, where he contributed to pension scheme redesign and international coordination efforts, particularly with the International Social Security Association (ISSA). Mahmud completed his undergraduate studies in electrical and electronic engineering at BUET. After starting his career in civil service, he has helped mentor and motivate countless young engineering graduates from his alma mater to pursue similar paths. Once admitted, he offered them vital guidance to navigate the early years thoughtfully. He is now also inspiring his juniors in civil service to pursue graduate studies in public policy, public affairs, international development, and other relevant fields at prestigious U.S. institutions. This past summer, Mahmud interned with organizations involved in FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations, gaining firsthand insight into the inner workings of a global sporting event. He had the opportunity to visit several host cities and watch a few matches from an organizer’s perspective. After graduating from SPIA, Mahmud plans to serve his country in a policy role and later contribute to global international development efforts through institutions such as UNDP or the World Bank.