ARYAN PRASAD

Research Intern (incoming) , Cato Institute, Centre for Trade Policy Studies

Washington DC, United States

Policy and economic research professional focused on global trade, regulatory governance, and political economy. Experienced with international organizations and think tanks, including Cato Institute, AIER and the World Shipping Council. Skilled in policy analysis, legislative tracking, and translating economic research into actionable insights for public and development stakeholders

Contact ARYAN PRASAD
Area of Expertise:
  • Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
Professional Experience:

I am a policy and economic research professional with a strong interdisciplinary background in international trade, regulatory policy, and political economy, supported by applied research experience with leading think tanks and policy institutions in the United States. My work focuses on understanding how trade policy, institutional design, and regulatory frameworks shape economic outcomes across countries and sectors.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Management and Business from Skidmore College, where I concentrated on international economics, sustainable finance, and business strategy, complemented by a minor in computer science. My academic training combined qualitative policy analysis with applied quantitative tools, including financial modeling, economic indicators, and data-driven research methods. I earned placement on the Dean’s Honor List in my final year, reflecting strong academic performance following a focused realignment of my academic interests toward economics and public policy.

Professionally, I have conducted applied policy research at the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), where I authored and presented an original research paper analyzing the economic and consumer impacts of USTR Section 301 fees on foreign-built vessels. This work involved empirical analysis using Stata and Excel, review of regulatory dockets, and translation of technical findings into policy-relevant outputs for non-academic audiences. I also supported the production of policy briefs and research visualizations intended for policymakers and external stakeholders.

Previously, I worked with the World Shipping Council (WSC) in Washington, D.C., where I tracked U.S. congressional and regulatory developments related to maritime policy, trade, and ESG compliance. I attended and reported on Senate hearings, analyzed trade-related regulations, and contributed to internal strategy briefs in coordination with international teams in Brussels, Singapore, and London. This experience deepened my understanding of the intersection between trade policy, global supply chains, and institutional governance.

I have also completed graduate-level training in economics and public policy through The Fund for American Studies at George Mason University, with a focus on public choice theory, fiscal reform, and institutional incentives. In January 2026, I will begin an incoming research internship at the Cato Institute’s Center for Trade Policy Studies, where I will contribute to research on trade regulation, tariffs, and global economic integration.

I am particularly interested in roles that combine policy research, international economics, and institutional analysis, and I seek to contribute to organizations working on trade governance, economic development, and regulatory reform in global and cross-national contexts.

Education:

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Business from Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York), a selective liberal arts institution in the United States, with a minor in Computer Science. I completed my degree in May 2025, graduating with a major GPA of 3.225 and earning placement on the Dean’s Honor List in Fall 2024 (GPA 4.00).

My undergraduate education provided a strong interdisciplinary foundation in economics, business strategy, and applied policy analysis, with particular emphasis on international economics, sustainable finance, and financial services. Through coursework such as Business Strategy, International Economics, and Sustainable Finance, I developed the ability to analyze how market forces, regulatory frameworks, and institutional incentives interact in a global context. My training combined qualitative reasoning with applied quantitative analysis, including financial modeling, policy evaluation, and data interpretation.

To complement my undergraduate studies, I participated in The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Economics and Public Policy Program in Washington, D.C., completing graduate-level coursework at George Mason University. I earned an A grade in Economic Problems and Public Policies (ECON 309), which focused on public choice theory, fiscal policy, and institutional economics. This experience strengthened my understanding of how political and economic institutions shape policy outcomes and provided exposure to applied policy debates through Capitol Hill briefings and practitioner engagement.

Across my academic training, I benefited from close faculty mentorship, characteristic of the liberal arts model, which encouraged independent research, analytical writing, and interdisciplinary thinking. My education has been further enriched by research-oriented experiences with policy institutions, allowing me to translate academic concepts into real-world policy analysis.

Overall, my academic background has prepared me well for policy research, international economic analysis, and development-focused roles, combining rigorous theoretical grounding with applied skills relevant to global institutions, think tanks, and research organizations.

Affiliations and Achievements:

Academic Distinction
Dean’s Honor List, Skidmore College (Fall 2024). Earned a perfect 4.00 GPA in my final semester, reflecting strong academic performance in strategic management, finance, and international economics following a focused realignment of academic interests.

Research & Publications
Published undergraduate research titled “A Study on Fiscal Indicators of the Indian Economy” in Ignited Minds Journal. The paper analyzed sectoral fiscal performance, macroeconomic indicators, and transparency challenges in emerging economies, strengthening my foundation in applied economic research and policy analysis.

Selective Academic & Professional Programs
Selected for The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Academic Internship Program in Washington, D.C. (Summer 2025), a competitive program integrating professional policy internships with graduate-level coursework at George Mason University. The program emphasized public choice theory, fiscal policy, and institutional incentives, alongside direct exposure to U.S. policymaking environments.

Certifications & Technical Training
Completed Harvard CS50x (Computer Science Foundations) and MITx – Introduction to Computer Science with Python, developing computational thinking and data analysis skills relevant to policy research. Additionally completed professional training in Credit Analysis and Financial Modeling through Moody’s Analytics / S&P Global, strengthening applied financial and risk assessment capabilities.

Professional Memberships & Policy Engagement
Member of the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and active participant in the Finance and Investment Clubs at Skidmore College. Maintain ongoing engagement with regulatory and policy developments through regular review of publications from institutions such as the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).

International & Policy Exposure
Participated in Capitol Hill briefings, embassy dialogues, and policy events through internships with the World Shipping Council and TFAS. Coordinated with international teams based in Brussels, Singapore, and London on trade and shipping policy initiatives, developing cross-cultural communication skills and exposure to global regulatory environments.

Languages
English (Fluent); German and French (Intermediate); Italian (Basic).

Available for:

  • Internships / Fellowships

Years of Experience:

0-2 years

Highest Qualification:

Bachelors

Languages:

English, French

Nationality:

India

Home Page: