Meet the 2024-25 NABE Scholars
The NABE Scholars Program is a key initiative of The NABE Foundation first offered in 2020 to expand opportunities in the profession for economics students and early-career economists from diverse backgrounds. Each year, early-career economists and economics students from groups underrepresented in the profession are named as NABE Scholars and awarded complimentary registration to four NABE conferences and one CBE continuing education course. Scholars also receive a complimentary NABE membership and a stipend to help offset travel costs to attend events. Interested in supporting the NABE Scholars Program? Please consider a donation to The NABE Foundation.
Meet the 2024-25 Class of NABE Scholars below!
Fatima Airan, Development Economist
Fatima Airan is a development economist. She holds a Master's degree in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation from the University of Oxford, where she was a Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust Scholar, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the American University of Central Asia. Fatima has over three years of experience working for the government of Afghanistan. During this time, she also contributed to various research initiatives that provided policy recommendations until the collapse of the Afghan Republic. Fatima aims to contribute to developing empirical, data-driven policies, aimed at reducing poverty and enhancing the lives of people in developing countries, particularly those in conflict and fragile states.
Paul Baffoe, Bay State Milling Company
Paul Baffoe began his studies at the University of Cape Coast, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in Economics. He later pursued graduate studies at St. Cloud State University, where he focused on Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, focusing on issues like national debt, fiscal policy, and food security. His master's thesis, "Open Macroeconomics," examined the impact of U.S. fiscal policies on international monetary decisions. Paul gained practical experience as a Quality Assurance Technician at Bay State Milling Company, where he researched production cost analysis in gluten-free product manufacturing and implemented a supply chain model to regulate the high-demand volatility of Raw Materials to capitalize on Spot sales. He has been recognized for his achievements and leadership contributions, receiving honors like Student-Mentor Collaboration Grants and the Michael D. White Economic Fellowship.
Christina Bass, Wells Fargo
Christina Bass holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Geosciences, and is currently serving as a Tax Associate in the Tax Utility Group at Wells Fargo. Her professional background in finance and banking has equipped her with valuable skills in tax analysis and financial operations. However, her true passion lies in urban economics. She is eager to shift her focus towards analyzing critical urban issues, including housing dynamics and local government finance. Over the next phase of my her, she is determined to make a meaningful impact in urban economic development, leveraging her academic foundation and professional experience to address these complex challenges effectively.
Helena Benedetti, H.I.G. Capital
Helena Benedetti is a Financial Analyst at an alternative investment firm in Miami, Florida, with a focus on Private Equity. Specializing in Co-Investments, Helena is instrumental in providing insightful information for company valuations and is known for her ability to automate processes, thereby increasing efficiency. Helena holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Florida International University, complemented by a minor in Business Analytics. It was during her time at university that she discovered a passion for business, coding, and data analysis, which she has since integrated into her professional life. Committed to continuous learning and professional development, Helena is currently enhancing her knowledge in the field of Finance. Her background in data analysis allows her to bring a fresh and unique perspective to her work. As she continues to grow in her career, Helena aims to leverage her skills and experiences to make significant contributions to the field.
Yi Cui, PhD Student in Economics and Statistics, UNC-Chapel Hill
Yi Cui is an incoming fifth-year PhD student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in Economics and Statistics. His academic journey has been marked by a profound engagement with forecasting, causal inference, and deep learning, fields where he has developed both theoretical expertise and practical skills. Yi’s academic path began at Fudan University in Shanghai, where he laid a strong foundation in economics before advancing his studies at UNC. Yi’s professional experiences are as impressive as his academic achievements. He has delved into the world of finance as a quantitative research intern at a hedge fund, where he sharpened his analytical abilities and gained valuable insights into market dynamics. Additionally, Yi served as a research scientist intern at Amazon, where he leveraged his expertise to tackle complex data science problems, extracting meaningful insights from vast datasets. Throughout his career, Yi has demonstrated a keen ability to apply his knowledge of economics and statistics to real-world challenges, making significant contributions in both the financial sector and the tech industry. As he continues his PhD studies, Yi remains committed to advancing his research in forecasting, causal inference, and deep learning, with the goal of making impactful contributions to the field of economics.
Tiffany Dang, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Tiffany is an Economist in the Balance of Payments Division and Financial Accounts Branch at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) where she works on producing estimates for the United States’ International Investment Position. Prior to working at BEA, Tiffany received her BA in Economics at East Tennessee State University and MA in International Studies at Indiana University. At IU, Tiffany did research on the geopolitics of oil and gas in Russia, leading her to working in International Economics. In her free time, Tiffany enjoys reading, watching soccer, and going out with friends.
Ziyan Han, International Monetary Fund
Ziyan Han is a Research Analyst at the International Monetary Fund’s Research Department, focusing on the World Economic Outlook (WEO), the IMF’s flagship publication. Her research interests include macroeconomics and international finance. She holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Finance from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and English Literature from Renmin University of China.
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Celine Kimata, Economics Partners at Ryan
Celine Kimata is currently a Senior Analyst at Economics Partners at Ryan where her work consists of intangible property and complex asset pricing, business valuations, and in-depth transfer pricing consultation. Celine graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a B.A. in Economics and B.S. in Mathematics. She previously worked at CFA Institute focusing on technical applications in finance and economics as well as global analytics. In the coming years, Celine aspires to earn a Master of Economics degree as well as pursue several specialized certifications to further leverage her skills in economics and financial analytics as a professional economist.
Grace Kneidel, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Grace graduated from Rice University with bachelor’s degrees in Mathematical Economic Analysis and Spanish. Currently, she is a Senior Research Assistant at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia where she supports research about zoning and housing affordability. As an undergraduate, Grace was a Health Economics Intern at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. She also worked on a project studying home ownership by race in Houston’s historic red-light district. She is excited to be a NABE scholar and learn about the field of business economics.
Chuxin Liu, JPMorgan Chase
Chuxin Liu is currently a senior quantitative associate at JPMorgan Chase. She works on model review and governance, specifically on macroeconomic forecasting, stress testing, risk monitoring and management. Before she joined JPMorgan Chase, she earned her PhD in Economics from City University of New York - Graduate Center, where her research focused on health economics and causal inference.
Tonshia Luster, PhD Student in Economics, Howard University
I’ve worked for the federal government for over 14 years. I’m currently a PhD student in the Department of Economics at Howard University. My current research of interest is labor economics and the impact of artificial intelligence within the labor markets. Prior to this role, I was a graduate research assistant at Kansas State University, performing research on the economic determinants of the number of minority farmers in the southeast region of the United States. I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University. I am a second year American Economic Association Summer Program Fellows. I was also selected as a George Washington Carver Intern at Iowa State University performing research on factors influencing post secondary education enrollment behaviors of urban agricultural education students. Upon completion of my PhD program, I plan to become a professor in the Department of Economics.
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Mihir Nikhil Madhekar, Master's in Applied Economics Student, University of Maryland
Mihir holds a dual bachelor's degree in International Business and Finance from India and is currently pursuing his Master's in Applied Economics from the University of Maryland, along with his CFA Charter. He is passionate about the interplay of Business, Finance, and Economics. Following his graduation, Mihir worked in the field of Consulting, focusing on Foreign Direct Investment, International Trade, and Market Entry Strategies. He has consulted investment promotion agencies and economic development organizations from across the globe. Currently, he is working with the Center for Global Business at the University of Maryland to develop a program to assist with US Market Entry. Mihir aims to leverage his skills and experience to assist organizations in navigating complex market environments and achieving sustainable growth, with a particular passion for consulting and a strong desire to make an impact in the private sector.
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Miguel Montoya, KKR
I am currently an associate at KKR on the Global Macro team where I assist with economic forecasting for the US and with investment due diligence across various investment strategies. Before joining KKR, I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School. While at Penn, I developed a deep interest in economics, and in particular the intersection of the global economy and financial services. I was able to visit countries like India, Japan, Brazil, and Argentina where I developed a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of the world economy. As an undergrad, I also completed internships in Equity Research at Goldman Sachs and in High Yield Credit at Oaktree Capital Management.
Lucas Moyon, Federal Reserve Board
Lucas is a Research Associate in the Current Macroeconomic Conditions section at the Federal Reserve. He is responsible for maintaining an advanced suite of models that estimate unobserved variables in the economy like the natural rate of unemployment and potential GDP. In college, Lucas gained analytical experience at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, where he co-published four articles examining the impacts of COVID on unemployment, state government budgets, and community colleges. He has also worked at Bank of America and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and has published twice in the Wall Street Journal editorial section. Lucas hopes to attend graduate school in business or law and pursue a career that combines these interests with economics, physics, and astronomy, which were his majors at the College of Charleston.
Grace Njuguna, Undergraduate Student in Business Economics, UC San Diego
Grace Njuguna is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Business Economics at the University of California, San Diego, expected to graduate in 2025. This summer, she will complete an internship in the Economic Research Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, an opportunity she was introduced to during her participation in the University of Chicago's Expanding Diversity in Economics summer program. Grace is passionate about economic development and is particularly focused on issues affecting African countries. She aims to pursue a PhD in Economics, where she plans to further her research in this critical field. Grace's academic and professional journey reflects her commitment to making a meaningful impact through economic research and policy.
Mirian Perez Quispe, International Organization for Migration
Mirian Perez Quispe is a professional economist with more than 3 years of experience working for the government and the private sector. I was selected for the prestigious 2019 BCRP Advanced Economics Summer Course-Specialization Program of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru. I completed my Master's degree in Economics at EAFIT University and an academic stay in the master's degree in Economic Development at the University of Göttingen - Georg-August Göttingen. After completing my graduate studies, I joined the International Labor Organization as a research economist and data analyst, where I supported the development of economic analysis for various statistical reports, data analysis, among others. After this, I obtained a scholarship to participate in the International Summer School of the University of Chile in the data science program. Now I am a project monitoring and evaluation analyst for the International Organization for Migration.
Leonardo Rodriguez, M.S. in Economics Student, Georgia Institute of Technology
Leo is completing his M.S. in Economics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Throughout his rigorous program, he secured a Teaching Assistantship, an Economic Research Internship with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, a Summer Research Assistantship, and the Atlanta Economics Club Joseph K. Heyman Scholarship (for a second time). Moreover, he completed the United Way of Greater Volunteer Involvement Program, in hopes of joining a nonprofit board to use his economic skills for nonprofits during his free time. His research interests are robotics impact on supply chain resiliency, health economics, and public economics.
Sara Schuster, NERA Economic Consulting
Sara is a recent graduate from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Economics and Mathematics. She has previously interned with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis as well as a management consulting firm, West Monroe. During her time at the University of Minnesota, she was an undergraduate Research Assistant under an economist with the Heller-Hurwicz Economics Institute, focusing on tax policy, as well as the President of the Economics Student Organization and Co-President of the Economics Undergraduate Student Board. This summer she joins NERA Economic Consulting in their New York City office as a Research Associate in their Antitrust and Global Competition practice. She looks forward to joining the 2024-2025 NABE cohort and meeting many amazing individuals in their careers in economics!
Megan Sheehy, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Megan Sheehy is an Economist at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) where she is responsible for developing and analyzing transportation estimates related to the GDP National Accounts. Prior to joining BEA, Megan worked as a Senior Economist at S&P Global where she forecasted paper and packaging prices for the U.S., Europe, and China; advised clients on procurement decisions; and authored industry articles and reports. Prior to S&P Global, Megan worked as an Economist at Mercaris, where she analyzed U.S. organic and non-GMO agricultural commodity markets. Megan has also previously worked at the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service as an agricultural economics intern. Megan earned a Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Economics from Auburn University where she was a Spring 2024 recipient of the Auburn University Black Alumni Achievement Award. Megan earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Southern University and A&M College where she was an 1890 USDA Scholar. Megan currently serves as the co-chair of the Finance Committee for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and she is a member of The Sadie Collective.
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Michael Sparks, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Michael Dwight Sparks is a Economics Research Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He graduated in the Spring of 2023 from Christopher Newport University (Newport News, Virginia) with bachelors degrees in mathematics and economics. Attending college in an industrial town, he saw the impact of industrial policy on his local community, and this experience guides his interest in economics today. He plans on pursuing a PhD in economics after his time at the fed, and has research interests in firm dynamics, innovation, and macro labor.
Julianna Sterling, Federal Reserve Board
Julianna is a research assistant at the Federal Reserve’s Division of Supervision and Regulation, contributing primarily to banking policy and financial research. She holds bachelors in Economics, International Studies, and French from Washington College where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa as a student athlete and conducted grant-funded research in Dakar, Senegal on microfinance institutions. She previously interned at the Cato Institute and Research Triangle International, researching U.S. immigration policy and nonprofit involvement in international development activities respectively. Her research interests include development, international finance, and trade, which she will explore further as a NABE scholar.