Zeeshan is a MPP student specializing on the convergence of National Security & Foreign Policy and International Development Policy. He is also pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Global Health. Originally from New York then moving to Florida later, Zeeshan graduated from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!) with a bachelor’s in criminology and a minor in International Studies. Prior to Duke University, Zeeshan has been involved with numerous research initiatives and social policy advocacy that included promoting free and fair elections, advancing equity in education policy, and addressing food-insecurity on college campuses-where he presented his work on collegiate hunger at Harvard University. His most current work includes working as a Researcher at both Princeton University and Yale University where he researches far-right extremism in the U.S., documents transgressions to international humanitarian law, and mitigates the spread of infectious diseases to affected populations during migratory movements. Outside of his professional and academic environment, he loves exploring the outdoors, attending theater performances, and curating niche Spotify playlists.
Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Shontierra obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in African American Studies. Since then, she has gained a variety of experience within the nonprofit sector as a case manager of displaced youth, coordinating out-of-school time (OST) programs, learning specialist and more. In her most recent role as a Partnership Specialist at Communities in Schools, Shontierra was able to bridge the gap between schools and community organizations by providing over 300 no-cost youth programs to 200+ schools. Shontierra’s passion for engaging with youth in her community brought her to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy.
I’m Yuxuan Chen from China, and my undergraduate major is financial management. With an extrovert personality, I am easygoing and wish to make friends with diversified students on campus. My research fields of interest is finance, economics, management and leadership. In my leisure time, I usually enjoy cooking, singing and hanging out.
Christian Chung, originally from Waxhaw, North Carolina, is a current student at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy pursuing a Master of Public Policy. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2024 with a B.S. in Biology, a B.A. in Public Policy (Science, Environmental, and International Development concentration), and a minor in Environmental Science. Throughout his undergraduate career, Christian embraced various roles in environmental engineering, science policy, public health, and environmental advocacy. His recent experiences include exploring water chemistry and developing novel purification technologies at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, analyzing inter- and intrastate PFAS (“forever chemical”) policies with the North Carolina Collaboratory, and conducting research at the Data-Driven EnviroLab related to climate policy, technology policy, and international development. Inspired by the balancing act between scientific ambition and practical policy, Christian aspires to pilot pragmatic and equitable solutions for environmental governance and diplomacy in his future career. Academia and work aside, Christian enjoys weight training, yoga, live music, traveling, and exploring new hobbies.
Jack is returning to Durham as an MPP ’25 Candidate after having graduated from Duke in 2019 with a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in Environmental Sciences & Policy. Prior to his return to Duke, he worked as an commodities analyst at a Virginia-based energy firm and, later, as a policy analyst focused on power markets, clean energy, and electric vehicles at a DC-based firm. Continuing his interest in clean energy, Jack hopes to pursue a career in the industry after Sanford, particularly in the Southeast. In his free time, Jack enjoys cooking, swimming, and going to the gym, and is excited to return to Cameron Indoor in the fall.
Elizabeth is thrilled to be pursuing her MPP at Sanford after 6+ years of working in the life sciences and global health. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in biology and diplomatic history, she worked in life sciences strategy consulting at ClearView Health Care Partners in Boston. After deciding to pivot to global health, she worked for the Clinton Health Access Initiative’s vaccine markets team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaving behind the east coast, she then moved to San Francisco to work for GiveWell. There, she directed tens of millions of dollars in grants to highly cost-effective organizations focused on increasing routine childhood vaccinations in low-income countries. At Sanford, she is excited to continue her interdisciplinary approach as she pulls on her background in both the sciences and humanities while exploring a range of policy interests. She is excited to further her understanding of domestic health and social policy issues (such as nutrition, reproductive freedom, and healthcare reform) as well as international policy challenges (particularly as they relate to issues of global governance within areas such as climate and biosecurity). In her free time, she can be found continuing a lifelong passion for Irish dance, hiking and going on long podcast walks, playing strategy board games, and trying out new nutritious recipes.
Hira is a Fulbright scholar from Pakistan, passionate about creating impact through work in the development sector. In the past three years, she worked closely with the Health Ministries in three provinces of Pakistan as a consultant to implement reforms in primary health care services. This included introduction of technological tools and use of geospatial data to improve childhood immunization rates, upgrade of primary facilities to provide 24/7 labor room services for safe deliveries and launch of a safe birth checklist to build capacity of health workers to provide high quality services. This work helped reveal the power of good data to make better decisions for millions of citizens. By pursuing the MPP degree at Duke Sanford, Hira aspires to enhance her grip on using data and technology for improved decision-making across key aspects of international development, including health and education reform. She hopes to work closely with senior leaders in governments, bureaucracies, and international organizations to implement these reforms on a large scale. In her free time, Hira likes to read, paint, or enjoy a light-hearted TV show. She loves to travel and hopes to see the world someday.
Eric was born and raised in Tangerang, Indonesia. He is an alumnus of KL-YES student exchange program, hosted in Poulsbo, WA. He flew back to Indonesia continuing his undergraduate degree and earned his degree in 3.5 years majoring in Metallurgical Engineering from Bandung Institute of Technology. He has worked as foreign exchange specialist in one of the biggest international banks for 3 years and currently is working as a customs analyst in the Ministry of Investment/Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board. His expertises are around the areas of mineral processing, foreign exchange trading, business development, business licensing, government regulations and tax incentives. At the Sanford School of Public Policy, Eric aims to further develop his interest in the intersection of mineral downstream, economic and political policy analysis; being the bridge that connects between the high-level policymakers and the facts on the ground. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, painting, playing badminton, swimming and traveling.
Hi! I’m a first-year MPP student and a local Durham resident. I’m interested in international environmental policy and the role it plays in natural resource management and global conflict. This interest was sparked by research I did at UNC-Chapel Hill on the link between water scarcity and farmer-herder conflicts in Burkina Faso. Before coming to Sanford, I worked as a management consultant for both private and government-sector clients with NTT DATA.
Lucero was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidad del Pacifico and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agronomy from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Universidad del Pacífico. She worked at a consulting firm as a project analyst where she conducted cost-benefit analysis, social and economic evaluations for projects related to modernization of the state, agriculture, health, security and transportation. At Sanford, she will develop her analytical and quantitative skills for evidence-based policymaking and project evaluation in developing countries. In her free time, Lucero enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening and hiking.
Leo was born and raised in Beijing, China. He recently graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a double major in Political Science and Global & Regional Studies. Throughout his academic journey, he consistently made the Dean’s List. Leo’s public service experiences span multiple sectors, including non-profit activism, technology, sports, and hospitality. As a Youth Activism Intern at TurnUp Activism, he organized and hosted social justice events, conducted policy research, and created engaging social media content. He has a strong research background, which is highlighted by his project on the impact of China’s reform and the opening up of its economic development and global influence. Beyond academics and work, Leo is passionate about music and sports. He has performed piano with renowned pianist Richard Clayderman and won a silver prize in the National Youth Percussion Competition. In sports, he enjoys playing soccer, basketball, and chess.
Cornell is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he graduated from Parkland High School. Since completing his undergraduate studies at UNC-Chapel Hill, he has endeavored to serve and strengthen local communities. He has served as a teacher in Durham Public Schools and several non-profit organizations before attending Sanford. Cornell is interested in the relationship between international and domestic policy as well as entrepreneurship as a tool for community development. In his free time Cornell enjoys spending time with his family and friends, a great conversation, and working with his hands – bonus points if all three are done together.
Sue is an MPP/MBA dual degree student at Duke Sanford School and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. She was born in Korea and received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Korea University. With over 8 years of work experience in eocnomic journalism, she specializes in tech, ESG, and the global economy. Finding solutions to the problem of fake news is her recent interest.
Teresa Nicole Meloni, a spirited advocate for change and a dedicated dog mom, hails from the expansive landscapes of Utah, where she cultivated a deep appreciation for community, nature, and the interconnectedness of global issues. Guided by an unyielding passion for effecting meaningful societal change, Teresa embarks on a bold new journey into the realm of public policy at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Driven by an innate desire to challenge the status quo, Teresa’s journey into policy is propelled by her unwavering belief in the power of empathy and grassroots activism. With a background steeped in the art of listening and motivating others, she envisions herself as a catalyst for positive transformation, harnessing her outspoken nature to champion the voices of the marginalized and underserved. Teresa’s boundless curiosity and adventurous spirit find expression in her multifaceted interests, ranging from international policies to the intricacies of food systems within the United States. Inspired by visionaries such as Michael Pollan, Joel Salatin, Terence McKenna, and Alan Watts, she seeks to unravel the complexities of global governance and sustainability, viewing the United Nations as a beacon of hope for fostering collaboration and dialogue on pressing global issues. Beyond her academic pursuits, Teresa is a firm believer in the power of human connection and collaboration. She thrives in environments where ideas are shared, friendships are forged, and collective action is ignited. Whether engaging in spirited debates over a cup of coffee, collaborating on side projects, or honing her skills on the pool table, Teresa approaches each endeavor with boundless enthusiasm and a commitment to making a difference. As she embarks on this transformative journey at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, Teresa remains steadfast in her resolve to harness the tools of policy to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for generations to come. With her compassionate heart, unwavering determination, and irrepressible spirit, she is poised to leave an indelible mark on the field of public policy and beyond.
Belton is a proud North Carolina Native from Robeson County and an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe. He graduated from NC State University in 2020 with bachelor’s degrees in economics and Spanish and a minor in political science. Prior to Duke, he worked as a policy associate with NC Governor Roy Cooper’s rural initiative, Hometown Strong, and as a program officer for the Native American Agriculture Fund, a private charitable trust dedicated to increasing access to capital for Native American farmers and ranchers. Belton is pursuing a dual degree with the Fuqua School of Business with plans to work at the intersection of business and government to finance investments in rural communities. Outside of work and school, Belton enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family, including his wife, Kamryn, and five nieces and nephews in the Triangle.
Mudita is a first year MPP’25 student from India. She is a qualified lawyer and has worked with multinational organizations in the legal and Fintech space. Her multilingual capabilities has helped her work with cross country teams. Her policy interests are International Development and Social policy. She loves exploring cafes and in her free time enjoys curling up with a novel.
Michael is originally from St Louis, Missouri. Before arriving at Sanford, he lived several years abroad, studying for his undergraduate in International Relations and Modern History at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and going on exchange to Hong Kong, Poland, and the Netherlands. His research interests revolve around US economic policy and international trade.
Lena Shadow grew up in Houston Texas and received her Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame. During this time, she dedicated herself to an original research project investigating the relationship between police legitimacy, civil society group legitimacy, and gender-based violence reporting rates in South Africa. Her primary interest lies in the monitoring and evaluation of gender equality policies and women’s empowerment programs. She’s excited to continue working directly with civil society groups to tackle women’s social issues through policy during her time with Sanford. She also enjoys learning about other policy fields. In the summer before beginning at Duke, Lena worked as a research intern alongside the Pranava Institue to develop a “practitioners playbook” for the deployment of Ethical AI policies in India’s Public Sector. In her free time, Lena loves lifting at her local gym, dancing with her Afro-beats group, and any thrift deal she can find.
Maya Sood is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (2022) with degrees in Public Policy and Women’s and Gender Studies with a specialization in gender-based violence and crisis diplomacy. Originally from Los Angeles, Sood has experience in activist, legal, and political fields, interning for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the Department of Family Violence, the Voter Empowerment Project, and the office of Congressional Representative Ted Lieu. During her time at Vanderbilt, Sood cultivated a passion for national security policy and, more significantly, for the political economy of sexual gender-based violence. Outside of the classroom, she served as the chair of Vanderbilt Student Government’s Sexual Assault Prevention Committee where she consulted with the University’s administration to develop best practices of implementing Title IX policies and advocated for the rights of campus survivors. As a JD/MPP dual-degree candidate, Sood hopes to bring legal and political fields together to develop strong, wholistic approaches to global conflict. In her free time, Sood is an avid artist and painter and enjoys old-school Rock music and any activity that puts her near an ocean.
Gabriel relies on a multidisciplinary background to bridge the gaps between abstract, ethical principles and concrete technical standards. He holds a B.S., in Philosophy, a B.A. in Religion and Spanish, and a B.A.S. in Software Development. At Sanford, he is learning how to support public interest technologies across government, industry, and society. In graduate school and beyond, he’s working with technology that is scientifically promising and ethically fraught. Gabriel is an avid musician, enjoys cooking for friends, and takes any opportunity to share his love for biking and public transit with anyone who’ll listen.
Janice Ye is originally from Beijing, China but grew up in New York. She graduated from University of Washington in 2022 with a degree in political science, focusing on political economy. She is passionate about helping the communities in need and climate change. She has participated in numerous internships and research projects that extend to various fields, such as social justice, international development, and global finance governance. From helping children from immigrant families to gain education resources to analyzing the impact of international development policy on Subaltern Amazonian communities, Janice is aspired to promote ethical and sustainable development. Pursuing an MPP degree at Duke University, Janice strives to advocate for community-based policies and to find a healthy balance between economic development and the welfare of local community. In her free time, Janice enjoys swimming, dancing, and stand-up paddling.
