Curriculum Vitae (Updated Sept 2022)
As an economist, my expertise spans development, labor/public economics, and behavioral economics. My research covers international relations, foreign policy, development, human capital, gender, finance, and entrepreneurship, focusing on three key themes: human capital dynamics, the economics of longevity, and productivity within low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Drawing insights from psychology and behavioral economics, I use randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs as my primary research methods.
In past projects, I've collaborated with several global institutions such as The World Bank and BRAC, leading research teams and managing field interventions across Southern and East Africa, Central and South Asia. I've partnered with NGOs in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan), the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa (South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya), South Asia (Nepal, Bangladesh), and Asia (China) to implement large randomized control trials (RCTs) in the field (aka field experiments). My research addresses pressing social issues, providing insights for policymakers to enhance existing public policies.
I earned my doctorate from Harvard University and a master's degree in International Economics and Arabic/Middle East Studies from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). I also completed the Arabic Study Center (Advanced Arabic and Egyptian Arabic Program) at the American University of Cairo's ALI/CASA Center. I am a non-resident research affiliate at The Harvard University Institute for Quantitative Social Science, The University of Chicago's Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Global Working Group, and an IZA Institute of Labor Economics Research Fellow.
In non-academic settings, I've brought my economics expertise to analyst positions with U.S. Government agencies, international financial institutions, the National Bureau of Economic Research, and the private sector. My professional journey has led me to diverse global locations, such as Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa.