Development Work

Currently pursuing a PhD in Development Economics

I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in development economics at the University of Groningen, where I am working on a women's empowerment project in collaboration with TYM Microfinance Organization in Vietnam. I use qualitative and quantitative research to design and evaluate an intervention aimed at improving economic, psychological, and social outcomes among women in Northern Vietnam. Additionally, I use experimental methods to investigate how cultural models of agency affect intervention effectiveness, as well as behavior and preferences such as willingness to compete and support for inequality reduction.

Consulting 

Over the last few years, I provided short-term consulting services to organizations such as Population Services International (PSI), Bixal, and USAID, focusing on gender equity, social inclusion, and vulnerable and at-risk populations' access to health services and utilization.

Examples of deliverables: 

Public Health Research in Myanmar

From 2019 to 2021, I worked for HelpAge International as a Public Health Research Officer in Myanmar, working on various projects, including an EU-funded implementation-research consortium and an FCDO-funded multi-country project. I provided technical expertise in monitoring and evaluating project plans, data collection, and research capacity building. My work covered a range of topics, including social protection, community health services, nutrition, and food security.

Scaling-Up on Non-Communicable Diseases (SUNI-SEA) project

Project background

The SUNI-SEA project aimed at implementing, evaluating and validating effective and cost-effective scaling-up strategies of evidence-based diabetes and hypertension prevention and management programs in three countries of Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia).

Contribution to the project

I oversaw implementation and research plans in Myanmar, and developed a community-level data collection system using DHIS2 for Vietnam and Myanmar, and led coordination efforts among local, national, and international stakeholders and donors

A few highlights

In the midst of the pandemic, in 2021, I contributed an online sharing experience and building skills at the European Public Health Conference, where together with another researcher, we presented  a tool for measuring effectiveness of community health interventions. 

On top of the pandemic, Myanmar was faced with a political and economic crisis following the February 2021 coup. Together with another colleague, I wrote about how we adapted the project by developing a self-care screening app to overcome barriers in reaching communities and responding to rising mental health needs. 

Other contributions as a Research Officer: from M&E to food security and nutrition

Agricultural sector and women's inclusion

In 2017, I worked for AgriCord, a global alliance of agri-agencies, aimed at fostering economic viability of farming activities and improving the livelihood conditions of farmers, their families and the rural communities they work and live in.  

Contributions: