Payvand Ahdout

Payvand Ahdout
Year: 3rd year, Graduating in May 2010
Major: Economics, Government
Policy Interests: Constitutional law and economic policy

I'm from Long Island, New York. I study public policy through the lens of economics. I also have a strong interest in Constitutional law and the federal courts. Outside of the classroom, I participate in the Judiciary Committee (Counselor), Class Council, the Middle East Leadership Council, and the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society. I am president of an initiative to create a Jewish social sorority at the University. This summer, I will be traveling across China and parts of Europe. After I graduate from the University, I plan on attending law school and ultimately working towards becoming a judge. I am interested in criminal justice, antitrust, and constitutional law.

Lily Bowles

Lily Bowles
Year: 1st year, Graduating in May 2012
Major: Politics/ Psychology
Policy Interests: Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Global Development, International Law

I am from Washington, D.C. Right now, I am particularly interested in energy policy and environmental policy given how critical the issues they concern are to our time. I would like to learn more about the U.S. government's role in protecting the environment and in researching alternative energy solutions. I would also like to experience the process of creating and implementing legislation on energy efficiency and environmental protection. As a result, I would like to intern this coming summer at either the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources or the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works. My future plans most likely will include pursuing a masters degree in public policy and finding a career in public policy that combines my many interests.

Kirsti Anne Campbell

Kirsti Anne Campbell
Year: 1st year, Graduating in May 2012
Major: Science/ Biology
Policy Interests: public health and healthcare policy

I have always been attracted to the sciences, particularly in molecular medicine and research, and my public policy interest is to pursue a career in medicine and health care for the poor. I have become particularly interested in working in public health care policy or in performing research at the National Institutes of Health. For an internship, I would be interested in working at the National Institutes of Health or Naval Medical Research Center in Maryland. In particular, I am interested in working for the NMRC research lab for the creation of biological and chemical agent sensors that can be used in the field by the military and civilian servants abroad. I hope to go into research and perhaps health care policy advising later in life.

Kadeem Cooper

Kadeem Cooper
Year: 3rd year, Graduating in May 2010
Major: Politics Honors Program
Policy Interests: international law, nuclear proliferation, global development, and campaign politics

I am from Brooklyn, New York. My academic interests are eclectic, but I am probably most passionate about the past, present and future of international law and diplomacy. I am particularly interested in how international norms have been translated into institutions and the role of dynamic leaders in that process. Outside the classroom, I serve as Vice President of the Class of 2010 and as a University Guide. This summer, I will be traveling through China and England. After I graduate from the University, I hope to contribute to the quest for a peaceful and sustainable world order.

John Mark DiGrazia, Jr.

John Mark DiGrazia, Jr.
Year: 1st year, Graduating in May 2012
Major: Economics/ Politics
Policy Interests: economic development and trade policy

My academic interests and passions center on economics, mathematics, and Spanish. The areas of public policy that interest me the most are the international and public trade sector and economic development. I would like to pursue internships in public trade policy, perhaps with an organization in Washington, D.C. where I could learn more about the international trade sector and barriers to trade and economic growth among nations. In the long term, I may apply to law school or graduate school in economics, and I would like to pursue a career in law or public trade policy.

Charles Gamper

Charles Gamper
Year: 3rd year, Graduating in May 2010
Major: Political and Social Thought
Policy Interests: clandestine intelligence reform, anti-terrorism, and privacy law

My academic studies focus on the relationship between national security and civil liberties. I am especially interested in how the US looks to balance civil liberties against a new kind of threat in terrorism. After graduation, I hope to work in public service before attending law school. Areas of interest in public service include international relations, intelligence, and criminal law. I serve as an Advisor for the Honor Committee and as a moderator for Sustained Dialogue. I am also Chairman for Membership Education for the Inter-Fraternity Council. I will be interning in the Maryland Attorney General's office this coming summer, and I hope to attend law school after graduation.

Blaire Hawkins

Blaire Hawkins
Year: 4th year, Graduating in 2009
Major: History DMP/ Economics
Policy Interests: rural poverty, criminal justice, education policy

I am originally from Lexington, Virginia. In addition to the Public Service Fellows, I have become deeply involved in Alternative Spring Break, the Class of 2009 Trustees, and the Honor Committee. I am currently serving as the Vice Chair for Investigations of the Honor Committee. After I graduate from U.Va., I plan to attend Law School and eventually pursue a career in public interest law.

Stephanie Hull

Stephanie Hull
Year: 3rd year, Batten; Graduating with M.A. in 2010
Major: Foreign Affairs, Public Policy
Policy Interests: China, international economics, and sustainable development

I am interested in providing economic incentives for clean energy in developing countries, as well as improving access to education and healthcare to promote equitable development – particularly in China. I am pursuing a State Department internship in China this summer and am considering a career in diplomacy after graduation.

Chris Heywood

Chris Heywood
Year: 4th year, Graduating in 2009
Major: Systems Engineering
Policy Interests: military and national security policy

I am from Potomac, Maryland. My academic studies focus on systems design and analysis, including computer systems, queuing systems, and statistics. I have squeezed a few credit hours in history and foreign policy courses into the standard engineering curriculum. I am a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Midshipman and currently serve as U.Va.'s Battalion Executive Officer. I also serve on the Rodman Council, the governing board for the Engineering School's honor students. This summer I will be training with Naval Aviators. Upon graduation I will be commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and I intend to enter flight school.

Garrett Lyons

Garrett Lyons
Year: 1st year, Graduating in May 2012
Major: History/ Politics
Policy Interests: healthcare and education policy

I am passionate about history and politics and am also very interested in the Political and Social Thought concentration at U.Va. A combination of shaping governmental policy and serving in the federal government would be my ideal areas of interest. In terms of specific areas of public policy, I would love to be apart of the health care and education fields. My long-term goals are to earn a law degree, concentrating on corporate, property and tax and international law, and to practice corporate law in America in order to gain a strong understanding of practical business issues that drive important aspects of public policy. I would be interested in a wide variety of internships/externships that focus on education, health care, or even urban planning at places such as Health and Human Resources or the Department of Education, in Washington, D.C.

Sarah Munford

Sarah Munford
Year: 2nd year, Graduating in May 2011
Major: Politics/ Int'l Relations
Policy Interests: micro finance, especially in continent of Africa

Generally, I am fascinated by global development and international affairs. I am particularly interested in the international role of finance, and I have a passion for underdeveloped nations and learning about Third World development and the factors that affect it. This summer I would like to work for a non-profit group such as Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, Acumen Fund, or any group that seeks to improve the social or monetary conditions of the international poor. I would like to work for an NGO or somewhere like the World Bank or United Nations.

Emma Murphy

Emma Murphy
Year: 1st year, Graduating in May 2012
Major: Public Health
Policy Interests: public health policy

With a career aspiration in public health, I am most interested in health policy and public service addressing health issues both in the U.S. and internationally. Through my experience on a nonprofit board, I am also interested in the role of nonprofits in affecting change in public policy.

John Nelson

John Nelson
Year: 3rd Year, Graduating in May 2010
Major: Politics Honors Program, Economics
Policy Interests: voting, political participation, and economic policy

My academic interests are quite varied, but I have taken the bulk of my coursework in politics and economics. I am particularly interested in political participation and economic policy. This past summer, I traveled to Australia in order to study their compulsory voting system. I also worked on a range of economic policy issues at the American Enterprise Institute, particularly tax policy. Outside of the classroom, I am vice president for administration of Student Council and a senior advisor for the Honor Committee. I have many different interests, so I'm still figuring out my plans for this coming summer.

Laura Nelson

Laura Nelson
Year: 2nd year, Graduating in May 2011
Major: Politics and Int'l Relations
Policy Interests: civic engagement, international relations, and int'l aid

I am passionate about the study of international development, international human rights, international ethics and global aid effectiveness. I plan to do research as part of a politics human rights seminar studying the effectiveness and sustainability of international non-profit efforts to promote gender equality for young girls in developing countries. Within the University of Virginia community, I am most interested in creating and developing more effective ways to facilitate and promote all ongoing civic engagement efforts. I am considering getting a masters or Ph.D. in International Studies. Eventually, I would love to end up working in a job related to international development, whether through the government, consulting or some kind of non-profit sector work.

Rohan Pai

Rohan Pai
Year: 4th year, Graduating in May 2009
Major: Politics Honors Program, Economics
Policy Interests: international trade, economic policy, and antitrust law

I am from Nashville, Tennessee. My academic interests span the humanities and social sciences, and am specifically interested in International Political Economy, trade policy, and the intersection of Law and public policy. I am particularly interested in how the law is used to achieve targeted policy outcomes and objectives. Outside the classroom, I serve as moderator for Sustained Dialogue. In addition, I serve as a counsel for the Honor Committee, am a member of the Hindu Students Council, and am a member of the Washington Literary Society and Debating Union. This summer, I will be working as an intern at the Federal Trade Commission in the Bureau of Competition. After I graduate from the University, I intend on attending law school.

Casey Raymond

Casey Raymond
Year: 4th year, Graduating in May 2009
Major: History DMP and Jewish Studies (Minor in Middle Eastern Studies)
Interests: Middle Eastern policy, healthcare policy, and non-discrimination policies

I am from Birmingham, Alabama. As both a history and Jewish studies major, I enjoy studying the rituals and memories of religious and historical events. Outside of my academics, I am a Vice-Chair of Sustained Dialogue, an Investigations Coordinator for Honor Council, and a member of the Jewish Education Initiative in Hillel Student Union. This summer, I will be working as a summer business analyst for McKinsey in Atlanta. After graduation, I plan either to attend law school or to work in business.

James Rogers

James Rogers
Year: 2nd year, Graduating in May 2011
Major: History/ Commerce School
Policy Interests: law and economics

I am very interested in economic issues, including macroeconomic policy, securities regulation, income disparity, and the national debt. I am intrigued by the relationship between politics and economic policy, and I would like to investigate the role of economic issues in political campaigns, voting, and policy formation. I would like a summer internship experience at places like the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, the Brookings Institution, or a major law firm like Sullivan & Cromwell or Arnold & Porter. Following graduation, I would like to enter the private sector, working for either a law firm or financial institution. I also hope to remain active in the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader and eventually volunteer with Legal Aid.

Ji-Soo Suh

Ji-Soo Suh
Year: 2nd year, Graduating in May 2011
Major: Politics/ Global Development
Policy Interests: international development, particularly Korean unification politics

Having lived in the Philippines for 18 years, I am passionate about development strategies and measures to increase social mobility through education, tax policy, and health care. Also, I am interested in the question of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. I am seeking admission into U.Va.'s Batten School for Public Policy. For an internship, I would like to be placed with a firm that provides either micro-credit loans or consulting services to those in lower income brackets. Ultimately, I would use my education toward a career in international institutions such as the UN or an NGO, possibly leading to a role in government.

Xiao Wang

Xiao Wang
Year: 5th Year, MA at Batten School
Policy Interests: Economic Development, Int'l Governance, Democratic Transition

I am from Charleston, South Carolina. Broadly speaking, I am interested in issues of economic and political development, and would like to work at the World Bank or the UN someday. As a student at U.Va., I have done independent research on international trade, democratic transition, and antitrust regulation in Southeast Asia. I am also the Editor-in-Chief of the Virginia Policy Review, the co-founder of the Jefferson Scholars International Policy Program, and serve as a Program Director for the Madison House Community Service Program. This summer, I will be working as a business analyst for McKinsey and Company. After graduation, I plan to attend law school.