Linda Appeynarh, Ph.D. student, Economics
Linda Appeynarh is a Ph.D. student in Public Policy (Economics) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and a Research Assistant with the Innotech Policy Lab, working with Dr. Chul Hyun Park. Her research examines how technology and digital infrastructure shape economic opportunity and equity, with interests in broadband and digital inclusion, election cybersecurity and misinformation in the AI era, and development-focused issues such as gender inequality, human capital, and education policy. She holds an MPhil and B.A. in Economics from the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and completed one year of Master of Public Administration (MPA) coursework at the University of Baltimore.
Her professional experience spans research and policy roles across sectors: she is an NCRC Research Fellow at AEO, collaborating with AEO’s leadership and research team to advance initiatives on small-business development, equitable access to capital, and inclusive policy innovation. She previously supported the Applied Economics Clinic by summarizing written materials, collecting data, managing research databases, and writing policy memos; and she has worked with International Social Service-USA, where she built skills in grant research and writing, data organization and analysis, and administrative support. She also served as a graduate assistant at UMBC under Dr. Amy Tondreau, Dr. Denise Meringolo, and Dr. Christy Chapin. As an international student, she brings a unique perspective by combining her African background with American education, with a focus on addressing global economic challenges, economic disparities, and policies that strengthen education and human capital growth.
Erika Bucciantini, Ph.D. student, Urban Policy
Erika is a doctoral student in Public Policy with a specialization in Urban Policy. She holds a Bachelors in Humanities & Social Sciences from Western Washington University and a Masters in Classical Studies from the University of Kentucky with additional certification from the Institute for Latin Studies. Her research interests include the impact of neoclassical monuments and architecture in the American landscape, land use, and displacement. As a Graduate Assistant, she is proudly supporting Dr. Loren Henderson in her research on the plight of Black farmers in America. Erika’s other pursuits have included teaching and presenting in the areas of Ancient Studies, World Languages, English, and Humanities, serving on the citizen input board for the Dickerson Area facilities in Montgomery County, and keeping a large garden and a small flock of chickens.
Bee Cigna, M.P.P. student, Health Policy
Adebola Daramola, Ph.D. candidate, Evaluation and Analytical Methods
Adebola is a research assistant to Dr. Susan Sterett. Before UMBC, he attended Perdue School of Business, Salisbury University where he earned an MBA. In addition, he has a Master’s degree in Finance from Lagos State University, Nigeria. His public policy experience began as an intern with the financial inclusion unit of the Institute of International Finance (IIF) in Washington, D.C. He is in the Evaluation and Analytical Methods specialization. He is from Nigeria, where there is a proliferation of digital financial services and entry of non -bank firms yet there is a large, underserved population. This background informs his research interests in Financial Inclusion, Financial Technology (FinTech), and Regulatory Policy.
Daniel Douglas, Ph.D. student, Environmental Policy
Daniel Douglas graduated Magna Cum Laude from the master’s program in Public Policy student and is continuing into the Ph.D. program. As a research assistant for the School of Public Policy, he conducts background analysis to support EPA-sponsored research on the recreational value of clean water in communities exposed to pollution. His future research will focus on how communities hold political actors accountable for failures to implement climate adaptation and flood mitigation strategies. In FY24-25 he has served as the Graduate Student Association’s Legislative Concerns Chair, a CAHSS Senator, and is the FY24-25 Secretary-elect. He supported union rights for graduate assistants, fought on-campus food insecurity with Retriever Essentials, represented graduate student community interests in Catonsville and Arbutus, and supported graduate students’ registration. He is also the treasurer of International Students Connect – Graduate Christian Organization.
Smitha Prabhu, Ph.D. student, Health Policy
Smitha Prabhu is a Ph.D. student in the School of Public Policy, specializing in Health Policy. Smitha graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Philosophy and a Minor in Bioethics and worked with community organizations in Baltimore for at least four years, including the Baltimore City Health Department, International Rescue Committee, and Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition. Her education and work experience inspires her research interest in harm reduction, maternal and child health policy, and public policy. She is currently working with Dr. Jane A. Lincove to investigate the impact of a high-impact math tutoring program on learning outcomes among Baltimore City elementary and middle schools.
Matthew Reeds, Ph.D. student
Matthew is a Christian leader, based in Baltimore, Maryland. He holds degrees from Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University, and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy at UMBC. A dedicated advocate for neurodiversity, Matthew and his wife, Melanie, founded the Reeds Fund to support autistic young adults in Maryland. He has been recognized for his leadership, having been named an Emerging Leader by the Baltimore Banner and included in HBCU Buzz’s Top 30 under 30. Beyond his academic pursuits, Matthew is an author. He recently published Rise and Lead, a book designed to empower men through daily affirmations and encourage community leadership. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, engaging with diverse cultures, and appreciating the arts.
Tanya Kreutzer Sayyed, Ph.D. candidate, Health Policy
Tanya Kreutzer Sayyed is a School of Public Policy health specialization Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Tanya holds a Master of Community Planning degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Bachelor of Science degree in International Agriculture and Development from the University of California, Davis. As Dr. Zoë McLaren’s research assistant, she uses rigorous research methods and econometric approaches to advance projects which inform health and economic policy. Their current projects cover adult vaccination, perinatal health, tuberculosis medication adherence, COVID-19, and data visualization. As Dr. Yusuke Kuwayama’s research assistant, she conducted a scoping review about using satellite data in combination with other socioeconomic data to illuminate environmental justice concerns. Their review advances environmental, urban, health, and social policy and informs government agencies, planners, activists, and other researchers about incorporating satellite data into research which aims to identify environmental hazards to reduce health disparities. She also was Dr. Kuwayama’s Statistical Analysis teacher’s assistant. Tanya worked with Dr. Takashi Yamashita and The Hilltop Institute on evaluating a Frederick, Maryland health literacy project which included community health workers’ training and outreach as well as provider and organizational trainings and assessments about COVID-19 and culturally and linguistically appropriate services. For her MCP, Tanya conducted a pilot study of community health worker interventions in Ethiopia and participated in a St. Petersburg, Russia urban redevelopment and community planning studio. At the American University of Rome, Tanya studied environmental, food, and agriculture policy as a visiting student. She worked on biodiversity, climate change, and water projects while interning at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Previously, she volunteered at Khartoum Cheshire Home and was a consultant at CARE International, Sudan. She was the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services Tutorial Coordinator at San Diego Mesa Community College. Tanya interned with the Economics Department at the United States Agency for International Development, Pakistan.
Ridwan Islam Sifat, Ph.D. candidate
Ridwan Islam Sifat is a Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy at the School of Public Policy and is currently on the job market. He holds a M.P.P. from UMBC, as well as M.S. and B.S. degrees in Development Studies. He currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. He has held several leadership and service roles at UMBC. He represented the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences as a Graduate Senator in the UMBC Graduate Student Association (GSA) and served as a Legislative Concern Specialist with the GSA Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee (GAAC). He has also worked as an Orientation Advisor in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising and previously served as a General Associate in Academic Engagement and Transition Programs. His academic and professional excellence have been recognized through multiple honors and fellowships, including the Adam Yarmolinsky Fellowship and the Renato DiPentima Fellowship from the UMBC School of Public Policy. He is also a recipient of the UMBC Inaugural Asian Cultural Award, Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship, the Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award, and the Marilyn Demorest Love of Learning Award. Before beginning his doctoral studies, Ridwan worked as a Lecturer at Northern University Bangladesh. His research has been published in several leading journals, including Politics & Policy, Journal of Public Health Policy, Journal of Health Management, Journal of Social and Economic Development, International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Sexuality Research and Social Policy, and Journal of Social Service Research.