CEM recognizes seven undergraduate students as new Student Associates

Aldana Alfaro is an international student from Peru, currently studying Business Administration and Design, where she gets to combine her love for creativity with strategic thinking. Aldana's experiences have shaped her commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable growth in emerging markets, particularly in Latin America.

She has always been truly fascinated by the opportunities and challenges in emerging markets, especially in Latin America. Growing up in Peru, she saw firsthand how culture and innovation can drive growth, which inspired her to dive deeper into this field. Aldana has done research on Peru's healthcare market during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored how sustainable fashion can bring together cultural identity and economic development.

One day, she hopes to create a global fashion brand that proudly showcases Peruvian identity. For now, she is excited to be part of CEM, learning and contributing to impactful initiatives in emerging markets.

Brenda Belgamo is pursuing a major in International Business with a concentration in Corporate Innovation, and two minors in Leadership and Human Capital and Emerging Markets.

Raised in Brazil, Brenda observed the influential role of Brazilian companies in global markets, deepening her appreciation for the transformative potential of emerging markets in global business. She has volunteered with Global Business Brigades, where she supported small local businesses in Honduras, enriching her perspective on community empowerment in emerging economies. On campus, she serves on the Brazilian Student Association's board and has contributed to the Center of Emerging Markets, actively engaging the campus community in discussions on emerging markets.

As a CEM Student Associate, she is enthusiastic about facilitating engaging events that connect students and faculty members, fostering discussions surrounding evolving trends and the strategic importance of emerging markets in the global economy.

Sebastian Curiel is a dual major at Northeastern University, studying International Business and International Affairs with minors in Economics and Emerging Markets. His passion for global financial markets stems from his background. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, Sebastian witnessed firsthand the complexities of emerging economies and their integration into the global financial system. This has driven his focus on Latin American markets, particularly the intersection of political economies and their influence on financial markets and investment trends.

Sebastian is excited to begin my first co-op at the Institute for Economics and Peace in Brussels, Belgium in Spring 2025. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply his academic knowledge to analyze global financial data, explore the economic costs of conflict, and assess the impact of peace on financial stability and development. He is eager to contribute to initiatives that advance sustainable growth in emerging and developed markets alike.

Shreya Gadiraju is a combined major in International Affairs and International Business, with dual minors in Mathematics and Data Science. Her academic journey at Northeastern has been enriched by study abroad experiences in Oakland, London, and Japan, reflecting her global perspective and deep interest in the intersection of emerging market finance and political practices. This passion is further evidenced by her professional experience with Morgan Stanley's Emerging Markets Fixed-Income Trading team and her previous co-op in regulatory compliance at Bain Capital.

As a CEM Student Associate, Shreya aims to leverage her interdisciplinary education and practical insights to contribute meaningfully to the study and exploration of emerging markets at Northeastern.

Sahaj Jathani is an International Business major with a concentration in Finance at Northeastern University.

Growing up in a small town in India allowed him to firsthand witness the challenges and appreciate the creativity needed to succeed in such regions. Attending an international high school in Bangalore, where he interacted with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and going for a semester abroad at IE University in Madrid furthered his interests for global trade and financial systems, particularly in emerging markets. Professionally, Sahaj has gained valuable insights into finance, infrastructure, and strategy through a co-op at WinnCompanies, a property management and development firm.

As a CEM Student Associate, Sahaj is very excited to explore how changes in emerging markets' government's policies can influence firms' financial strategies and the trade and infrastructure, specifically in Southeast Asia and Africa. He aims to leverage his academic and professional experiences to contribute to CEM's research initiatives and foster greater engagement within the Northeastern community.

Paulina Madero is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Psychology with a concentration in Finance. As President of the Latin American Business Club, she has spearheaded initiatives such as workshops and networking events, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and promoting a deeper understanding of Latin American business dynamics. These experiences have further fueled her passion for emerging markets.

Paulina is particularly interested in researching the economic and strategic dimensions of decision-making in Latin American emerging markets. Her professional roles, including an analyst position at Bank of America—where she will return after graduation—have deepened her interest in topics such as the impact of economic volatility on organizational strategies, the role of informal economies in shaping financial behavior, and cultural factors influencing credit access and investment decisions. With bilingual proficiency, she offers a unique perspective on global markets and aspires to leverage her leadership and professional insights to advance research on emerging markets.

Phuong Pham is a finance student in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, born and raised in Vietnam. Attending an international school, made possible through a partnership between Vietnam and foreign investors, shaped his global perspective and inspired his passion for exploring how global partnerships can create equitable opportunities for others.

Now, as a business student focusing on emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, he is eager to study how these economies have historically adapted to global shifts and hopefully develop hypotheses for how they may continue to do so in the increasingly uncertain future.

As a CEM Student Associate, he aims to advance research, organize impactful events, and collaborate with peers, alumni, and industry leaders to drive meaningful change.