IFRI provides research opportunities and academic experiences to many students. If you are a student working on an IFRI project or with IFRI affiliates and would like to be featured on this page please email Rachel Chalat.

The following students are working with IFRI and CCAFS as part of their Masters Project. Read more about the project here.
 

Ben Chen

Ben is a dual degree student, focusing on Business Strategy and Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ross  School of Business. His interests include identifying the motivations and drivers among public, private, and non-profit stakeholders in agriculture and food systems, and economic empowerment for mid- and low-income farmers in emerging markets.  Prior to SNRE, Ben worked in strategy, marketing, and engineering roles in United States, India, China, and Japan. Ben graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Click here for Ben’s CV.

Ann Kuo

Ann is a first year Master’s student in the Conservation Ecology track at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE). Her interest is in exploring current challenges to protecting biodiversity in the context of habitat fragmentation and land use change. In particular for this project, the perception of impacts of certification and conservation efforts by stakeholders. Also, exploring how and if these perceptions shift when the value of biodiversity and natural resources are tied to ecosystem services. Prior to SNRE, Ann worked in medical education in the Washington, DC area. Ann graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor’s in Biology.

Click here for Ann’s CV.

Chanisa Niljinda

Chanisa is a first-year Masters student in the Environmental Policy and Planning track at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment. She is interested in climate change, particularly the role of local communities in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Prior to moving to the United States, she worked for a trading company in Thailand and also worked for an animal welfare organization. Chanisa graduated from Thammasat University in Bangkok with a Bachelors degree in Economics.

Click here for Chanisa’s CV.

Melisa Ongun

Melisa is a first year Master’s student, in the Sustainable Systems track, at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment. She is interested in measures of success for international environmental policy and how success is perceived differently by various stakeholders. Melisa completed her undergraduate studies in English and International Studies: Global Health and Environment at the University of Michigan. She is excited to gain experience in two areas she is very interested in- environmental sustainability and international relations.

Click here for Melissa’s CV.

Paul Winters

Paul is studying environmental planning and policy and conservation ecology in the masters program at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE). He is interested in how governmental institutions coordinate site-level environmental best practices to meet regional and national sustainability targets. Before moving to Michigan, Paul was a researcher for environmental and open space programs at Regional Plan Association in New York City. His areas of specialization include land conservation in metropolitan landscapes, technological and engineered aspects of stormwater management, and market and regulatory interventions for protecting urban water quality. Paul graduated magna cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a special major in cultural geography and urban studies.

Click here for Paul’s CV.