Master's Students
Archita Aggarwal, MS Student - Course Track
Before joining Tufts, I earned my B.A. in Economics from Washington and Lee University, after which I spent a year as a research assistant at a D.C.based policy think tank. While my work primarily focused on antitrust and competition policy, being in the midst of Washington’s policy community gave me opportunities to attend events and engage with researchers working on the socioeconomic challenges facing developing countries, particularly in South Asia. Those conversations sparked my interest in conducting research in the region myself one day. For me, Tufts is the ideal bridge between the skills I have developed and the opportunities I need to pursue that goal. The M.S. in Economics program’s rigorous quantitative training is preparing me to design and conduct independent research, while its faculty bring substantial expertise in development economics, with many actively working, or having previously worked, in the field. This makes Tufts a place for me to build the technical foundation and regional perspective I need to pursue research on development in South Asia.
Mo’ath Almahasneh, MS Student - Research Track
Before joining Tufts, I earned my bachelor's degree in economics and government from Wesleyan University and spent three years at Morningstar, where I conducted research on exchange-traded funds and the asset management industry. My professional experience sparked a deeper interest in understanding financial markets through economic research and motivated me to pursue deeper training in economic theory and empirical research. At Tufts, I am a student in the research track, where my interests lie at the intersection of financial economics, market microstructure, and applied econometrics. My master’s thesis examines the ETF arbitrage mechanism, focusing on how constraints faced by financial intermediaries may affect their ability to correct ETF mispricing during periods of bond-market stress. More broadly, I am interested in using empirical economic research to understand financial markets and inform economic policy.
Risheet Modi, MS Student - Research Track
After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois, I worked as an Analyst at a Big Four consulting firm. My first year at Tufts confirmed everything I’d hoped for in choosing this program. The faculty was exceptionally accessible and always willing to make time to help, whether working on a research question or just extra help on concepts. The coursework was at exactly the right balance between challenging enough to push me while still keeping me engaged. What stood out most, though, was my cohort. We grew incredibly close over the year, pushing each other to do better work while remaining genuinely supportive of one another. The combination of rigor and community has made the first year everything I hoped it would be.
Anousha Singh, MS Student - Research Track
Before Tufts, I completed my undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Delhi, where fieldwork with marginalized communities first drew me towards development economics and policy. My first year at Tufts reignited a passion for economics I hadn't fully tapped into before, as courses in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, paired with hands-on econometric training, pushed me to engage with the discipline's depth in a way that felt entirely new. That renewed excitement led me to enroll in the research track, where Tufts' economics department has given me the space, mentorship, and technical grounding to reconnect with the intricacies of the field, and to grow into the kind of researcher I dreamt of becoming.
Mariana Pardo Cortes, MS Student - Course Track
Before Tufts, I earned my B.Sc. in Economics from Heidelberg University in Germany and worked as a Consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank. Growing up in Colombia, I witnessed how inequality and structural barriers shape individual opportunities, particularly in accessing education. These disparities sparked my interest in development economics and motivated me to study how evidence-based policies can address these social gaps. Recognizing the need for advanced quantitative tools to design better policies, I chose the MS in Economics at Tufts. The program’s integration of analytical training and real-world applications drew me in, providing the ideal framework to analyze complex socioeconomic issues.
Bao Tram Tran, MS Student - Course Track
Before joining Tufts, I earned my B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and later completed a graduate certificate in Data Analytics. My background in mathematics and my experience as an educator sparked my interest in economics and using quantitative methods to better understand economic outcomes. I am passionate about teaching and enjoy making complex quantitative concepts accessible to others. At Tufts, I hope to deepen my understanding of economic theory and quantitative methods while exploring my interests in financial and development economics. I chose Tufts for its rigorous curriculum and strong preparation for future research, with the goal of continuing to develop my skills in economics and contributing to research in the field.