| Howard University Department of Economics

Jayden Rivera is a class of 2025 Economics and Mathematics graduate of Central Connecticut State University. His research interests include game theory, urban economics, and differential geometry. Jayden is excited to learn more about advanced mathematical methods for risk and their applications in economics and finance. He also looks forward to leveraging advanced methods in econometrics with newly available unstructured data to push models further, and make them more available to municipalities and firms.

Alejandra Jaylene Reyes-Perez is a junior at the University of Southern California (USC), getting her bachelor's degree in Economics with minors in Mathematical Finance and Applied Analytics. As a first-generation Latina from the San Fernando Valley, she's passionate about using economic policy to advance healthcare equity and financial inclusion. Her experience at the USC Price School of Public Policy and the Los Angeles Behavioral Economics Laboratory has fueled her interest in healthcare, technology, public policy, and macroeconomic policy.

Deepica Premaratne is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. She is an aspiring economist with a strong interest in trade policy and the distributive effects of trade on marginalized communities. Deepica is passionate about making economic concepts more accessible and addressing common misconceptions that often lead to misguided political decisions.

Double Majoring in B.S. Financial Economics and B.A. in Business Administration: I am a disciplined individual with a keen interest in welfare policy, credit card processing, and industrial organization. I thrive when presented with challenges which I triumph through strategic planning, and decisive action. Driven by my ambition to improve, I am relentless in my pursuit to absorb information and expand my existing knowledge.

My name is Parker Peterson, and I am a student at Pitzer College pursuing a degree in Mathematical Economics. On campus, I serve as an economics teaching assistant, a mentor for the Center of Advancement of Students in Economics (CASE), and a member of the club field hockey team. My research interests lie in public, labor, and development economics. I am passionate about using quantitative research to analyze policies that enhance economic mobility in rural and underserved communities.

I am a recent graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, with a B.A. in Economics, and I am currently pursuing an M.S. in Mathematical Statistics. I specialize in spatial econometrics and Bayesian causal inference. Given my background working as a software engineer and Lead Developer with PR's Planning board and with the UPRM calculating the GDP for PR, I have gained an interest in the intersection of combination of software engineering to develop more data-intensive tools for economic research. I intend to continue my academic career by obtaining a Ph.D.

Allison Osei-Okrah is a rising junior at The College of Wooster, double majoring in Economics and Communication Studies, with a strong interest in microeconomics and development economics. She is an investment analyst for the Jenny Investment Club, managing one of the largest student-run portfolios in the U.S. Beyond her coursework, she actively engages in research and professional development, having participated in conferences such as the Sadie T.M. Alexander Conference and the Economics Scholars Program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Andrew "Drew" Okon was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. He is a graduating senior at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Mathematics and Economics. Passionate about policy research and data analysis, Drew has participated in the NC Summer Policy Institute, where he developed strategies for systemic policy change, and is a Moore Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (MURAP) Scholar. Through MURAP, he conducted research analyzing nutrient inequality through a political economy lens.

Harshini is a rising senior at Temple University studying Statistics and Economics. On campus, she is a peer teacher for a macroeconomics principles course, co-president of the Women in Economics chapter, a peer advisor, and a project lead for the university's consulting group. Her research interests include health economics, industrial organization, and public finance, with a particular focus on research that informs policy. She hopes to contribute to policies that promote equity and expand access to essential services.

Hi, I'm Philippe Ronald Nguendang, an aspiring economist fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit passed down from my Cameroonian parents. Growing up in Chicago, a vibrant melting pot of cultures, ignited my curiosity about the concept of pursuit. Being surrounded by such a rich array of perspectives has deepened my passion for collectivism.

Department of Economics

AEASP 2025 Scholar Jayden Rivera

AEASP 2025 Scholar Alejandra Reyes-Perez

AEASP 2025 Scholar Deepica Premaratne

AEASP 2025 Scholar Jesus Plascencia

AEASP 2025 Scholar Parker Peterson

AEASP 2025 Scholar Alejandro Ouslan

AEASP 2025 Scholar Allison Osei-Okrah

AEASP 2025 Scholar Andrew Okon

AEASP 2025 Scholar Harshini Nuti

AEASP 2025 Scholar Philippe Nguendang