Meet the AIR P3 Fellows: Advancing Equity and Excellence in Social Science Research
The AIR Pipeline Partnership Program (P3) Fellowship is an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders in the behavioral and social sciences. By supporting doctoral students and early career researchers from the U.S. and Africa, AIR strengthens its commitment to advancing equity, excellence, and innovation in research and technical assistance. Learn more about the Pipeline Partnership Program.
Below, learn more about our fellows and their work to address systemic inequalities and promote social justice globally.
P3-U.S. Fellowship
The P3-U.S. Fellowship supports doctoral students at three partner universities in the United States: Georgia State University, Howard University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. This fellowship program reduces barriers to dissertation completion and provides a clear pathway to careers in the behavioral and social sciences.
Our U.S. fellows are tackling critical issues in education, workforce development, justice and public safety, and community health and well-being. Through this initiative, AIR is supporting a talented cohort of scholars who will be equipped to use evidence as a tool for equity and social change.
Class of 2024
Ami Adjoh-Baliki, Economics, Howard University
Ami Adjoh-Baliki is a Ph.D. student in economics at Howard University, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in economics from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Her research interests lie in economic growth and development, with a particular focus on poverty, inequality, gender issues, and female empowerment.
Devyn Brown, Social Work, Howard University
Devyn E. Brown is a Ph.D. student in the social work program at Howard University, where she focuses her research on the mental health and well-being of previously incarcerated African American males. Devyn serves as a research fellow at the Sentencing Project, focusing on lifer reentry, particularly developing reports on juveniles and adults with long life sentences. Devyn received her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from San Diego State University.
Roti Chakraborty, Educational Policy Studies, Georgia State University
Roti Chakraborty is a Dean’s Research Doctoral Fellow at Georgia State University, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in educational policy studies with a concentration in research, measurement, and statistics. An international student from Bangladesh, she holds a Master of Education in educational evaluation and research and a Bachelor of Education in STEM education from the University of Dhaka. Her research focuses on leveraging measurement designs to address cross-cultural educational inequalities. She has a particular interest in psychometric measurement equity and assessment fairness. Roti examines the implementation and validation of global psychometric measurements and their impact on academic progress and achievements, aiming to create equitable assessment practices.
Fatima Frausto, Applied Demography, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Fatima Frausto is a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas at San Antonio. As a public health practitioner/demographer, she is interested in structural factors and policies that affect health behaviors and mortality in the Latino/a/x population. Her previous research experience and interests included sexual and reproductive health, early childhood development, and cancer prevention. Fatima graduated with a master’s in public health from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and double majored in neuroscience and sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.
Kristin Hemingway, Learning Sciences & Instructional Technology, Georgia State University
Kristin Hemingway is an interdisciplinary educator and researcher dedicated to advancing equitable learning environments through innovative instructional practices. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in learning sciences and instructional technology at Georgia State University, Kristin's research focuses on empowering early career, in-service teachers with the tools and experiences necessary to confidently implement culturally sustaining pedagogical practices. She utilizes virtual communities of practice to equip them to cultivate inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of students.
Alexandria Johnson, Educational Policy Studies, Georgia State University
Alexandria Johnson is a fourth-year doctoral student in the educational policy studies program at Georgia State University. With a Master of Arts in higher education administration, her professional experiences include teaching and working with students with disabilities, minority affinity groups, and advocacy organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Her research interests in higher education include access and retention; leadership; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB); study abroad; and pop culture. She currently works for the National Institute for Student Success.
P3-Africa Fellowship
The P3-Africa Fellowship extends AIR's commitment to supporting a community of research professionals with diverse perspectives and experience in Africa. In partnership with the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) and the Union for African Population Studies (UAPS), as well as the University of Dar es Salaam and the University of Nairobi, this program supports early career and graduate-level scholars. P3-Africa provides Ph.D. thesis research grants, specialized training, and mentorship from senior AIR researchers.
P3-Africa Fellows are addressing pressing social challenges, including economic development, education, and gender equity, and are poised to lead efforts in building more resilient and equitable communities.
Class of 2024
Gameli Adika, School of Economics, University of Cape Town
Gameli Adika is a Ghanaian national and a Ph.D. student at the School of Economics, University of Cape Town (UCT). He lectures at the UCT School of Economics and coordinates the school’s tutorial program. He is also involved with the Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products as the project coordinator for the African Cigarette Price project. Gameli holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Ghana (2007) and a master's degree in economics, specializing in health economics and econometrics, from the University of Botswana (2017). His research focuses on health and nutrition economics, economics of education, and child development in low- and middle-income countries.
Rachel Nadine Njowe, Applied Economics, University of Yaoundé
Rachel Nadine Njowe is a fourth year Ph.D. student in applied economics at the University of Yaoundé. Before her Ph.D. journey, she earned a Master II in applied economics (2019) from the University of Yaoundé II-SOA and the Sheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal; a bachelor's degree in currencies, banking and finance (2016); and a Baccalaureate in modern literature (2013). The topic of her Ph.D. research is, “Financial Innovations and Gender Inequalities in Developing Countries.”
Raynold Runganga, School of Economics, University of Cape Town
Raynold Runganga is a Zimbabwean national and a Ph.D. student at the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town. He works as a teaching assistant for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town, teaching courses such as Econometrics (Honours), Microeconomics (Undergraduate & Master’s/Ph.D.), Macroeconomics (Master’s/Ph.D.). Previously, he worked as a training tutor and tutor moderator for the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning on the course, “Risk Management and Strategic Planning.” Raynold holds a bachelor's degree in economics (First Class, 2017) and master’s in economics (Merit, 2019) from the University of Zimbabwe. His thesis, which is structured into three chapters, focuses on trade shocks and labor market adjustments, drawing evidence from South Africa.
