MA Candidate, Global Policy Studies, LBJ School of Public Affairs
The University of Texas at Austin
saraengelhard@utexas.edu

Sara Engelhard is currently pursuing an MA in Global Policy Studies at UT Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs. Previously, she was Assistant Director of Membership at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a nonpartisan think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs. She joined CFR after completing a Princeton in Asia fellowship from 2016 to 2017 in Vientiane, Laos, where she worked with survivors of landmine accidents (the landmines remnants of the Vietnam War). Sara holds a B.A. with distinction in International Studies and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan.

MA Candidate, Global Policy Studies, LBJ School of Public Affairs
The University of Texas at Austin
townsendjacob4@gmail.com

Jacob Townsend is in the process of earning a M.A. in Global Policy Studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT Austin, and holds a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. Jacob spent his decade between degrees working at small businesses, serving as an Intern at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, volunteering with various community organizations serving immigrants and first-generation Americans in New York City, and reading.

Divya Srinivasa, a Texan native, is a current freshman at UT Austin, studying Economics. Srinivasa ran a feminist club in high school, organizing speaker events and fundraisers for local charities. Srinivasa is a trained Indian classical dancer and is part of an internationally touring professional dance company. Additionally, she played the viola competitively for eight years and ice skated for ten years. Srinivasa hopes to pursue a career in international law. In her free time, she likes to read, sleep, and watch Law and Order.

Angela Ocaña is a third-year undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin. She is from Laredo, Texas, majoring in International Relations and Global Studies with a certificate in Business Spanish. Angela works at KUT/X and is part of the Longhorn Alliance for Refugees and Asylees’ executive team as the Historian. Angela aspires to travel and attend law school to help people in a court of justice. She relishes reading and hanging out with her loved ones in her free time.

Maggie Zhang is a sophomore from Overland Park, Kansas, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Social Inequality, Health, and Policy. She is on the pre-med track with an interest in global health and international development. Her hobbies include yoga, running, and reading books about psychology!

Maria Trifonova is from Moscow, Russia. She is majoring in International and Public Affairs and Economics from Brown University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, fashion, graphic design.

Carolyn Diaz is a Mexican-American junior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in international relations and global studies. A first-generation college student, her past internships with NGOs including Malala Fund and Ubongo Learning have made her committed to pursuing a career in the international development field with a focus on education. On campus, she has been involved with Women in Foreign Affairs, Central Texas Model United Nations, the Strauss Center as a Brumley Scholar, and recently the Archer Center as an undergraduate fellow. Aside from her professional life, Diaz has a passion for photography, art, and trying new cafes.

Lauren Silver is currently a sophomore at the University of Texas, studying Economics as a bachelor of science. She is thrilled to join IPD because she will get to expand her abilities in analyzing quantitative data. Additionally, she is very excited to pursue her passion for global and economic relief efforts.

Ashlynn Hudson is a junior-year student at the University of Texas, pursuing a double major in Sociology and Sustainability. Ashlynn’s professional background includes 5 years as an office manager for a real estate developer. During this time, she actively engaged with city governments in New Braunfels, Seguin, San Antonio, and Selma, gaining valuable insights into community dynamics and sustainable practices. She also managed an Airbnb property part-time, showcasing her versatility and dedication. In Spring of 2023, Ashlynn received a Critical Thinking Badge from her Sociology professor, recognizing her academic excellence. She also earned her real estate license while working full-time and is a certified Notary Public of Texas. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Ashlynn dedicates her free time to volunteering at her local food bank and the Haven for Hope. She’s also an avid scuba diver with a dream of exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Ashlynn is characterized by her curiosity, compassion, and adventurous spirit. She values sustainability, integrity, and innovation as guiding principles. Her ultimate aspiration is to work for the United Nations in Sustainable Development, aiming to create a more equitable and sustainable world for future generations.

Samanvi Velagapudi is a junior studying Management Information Systems who is interested in bridging data, business, and economic development. This past summer, she worked as an Investment and Database analyst in the M&A space, where she gathered data from economic reports, news articles, and think tanks to source target firms. She previously worked as a Technology and Marketing consultant for a consumer goods startup, and as a Programs Intern in the nonprofit healthcare sector, where she used descriptive and predictive modeling to provide strategic recommendations. Through her experiences, she found interest in leveraging data to promote equity and improve social mobility for marginalized communities. On campus, she is the Financial Director of the Senate of College Councils, where she works with college council representatives to support advocacy efforts through budget allocations, scholarships, and financial resources. She is also part of Beauties and the Beat, an all-treble acapella group, and hopes to continue pursuing her versatile interests in advocacy, music, data analytics, and economic development on and off campus.

Aarushi Garg, born in Maryland, moved to India when she was 5. She lived there for 10 years before moving to North Carolina and most recently, she moved to Texas. She is an International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) and Plan II Honors major. She is passionate about community engagement and has connected with forest inhabitants, worked with government school students in India, and interacted with budding entrepreneurs in Uganda. Through D4D, she is eager to understand how data can be used more effectively to target vulnerable and underrepresented groups. 

Larson Crank is a Sophomore History and Government double major with a minor in Business and Public Policy. He is involved in a wide-variety of organizations on-campus including The Texas Orator (TXO) as the Executive Copy Editor, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) as the Property Manager, and the Liberal Arts Honors Program (LAH) as a Student Ambassador. Outside of campus, Larson serves as a Legislative Aide in the Texas House of Representatives for State Representative Charles Cunningham and is a member of Midtown Christian Church. Following graduation, Larson plans on attending law school. He is beyond excited to join the Innovations for Peace and Development Lab on the Data4Development Project as they seek to amend the discrepancies in data reporting around the globe. 

Brenda is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Sociology. She holds an M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from UT Austin, and an M.A. and B.A. in International Relations from UNILA and UNAMA, Brazil. Brenda is interested in the ways Science, Technology and medical practices shape people’s collective experiences as to potentially produce unequal life outcomes. She is also a PRC trainee at the Population Research Center at UT Austin, specializing in Demography, Health and Gender.

Teju Kannan is a freshman currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics and is in the Liberal Arts Honors program at the University of Texas at Austin. She is from Princeton, New Jersey. She hopes to study how economic inequalities furthers the disparity in access to education. She is excited to join IPD to delve into economic and global development research. In her free time, she enjoys watching shows, playing tennis, and painting.