On Thursday, May 22, members of the PSTC community gathered to celebrate the graduation of nine PSTC current and former trainees who received PhDs from the Brown University Graduate School this month. This year’s cohort leaves our campus with an extraordinary amount of talent, expertise, and experience that they will apply to roles in academia, nonprofits, and the private sectors. In celebration of their accomplishments and contributions, PSTC faculty, staff, and trainees expressed congratulations and well wishes for the Class of 2025 and reflected upon the impact these emerging scholars have made here at Brown and will continue to make in their chosen fields. 
 

To our 2025 PhD Graduates,

Congratulations! It has been a privilege to watch you evolve from the talented group of predoctoral trainees who first arrived at Mencoff Hall into the assiduous, skillful scholars you are today. Thank you for sharing your hard work, determination, and accomplishments with us during this early phase of your academic and professional journeys. Wherever your ambitions take you next, we know that you will continue to strive to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world and its populations. You are always welcome here at PSTC, and we hope our paths cross again soon! 

Very best wishes,

All of us at PSTC 
 

Next Steps for the Class of 2025: 

Samantha Brady (Sociology)
Placement: Senior Researcher at MIT AgeLab

Salma Mutwafy (Sociology)
Placement: Postdoc in The Carter G. Woodson Institute at University of Virginia

Aarushi Kalra (Economics)
Placement: Postdoc at Nuffield College and Department of Economics at Oxford University

Jake Fabian (Economics)
Placement: Economist in the Market Development team of ISO New England

Mike Neubauer (Economics)
Placement: Assistant Professor at Reed College

Luca Rizzotti (Economics)
Placement: Institute for Fiscal Studies

Ruchi Mahadeshwar (Economics)
Placement: Cornerstone in Chicago

Yunyu Shu (Economics)
Placement: Assistant Professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics

Mercedes Ponce de Leon (Economics)
Placement: Cornerstone in London