Musarrat Shaira grew up in Bangladesh and later moved to the United States. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Economics from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). During her undergraduate studies, she founded the Food Insecurity and Dietary Restrictions Project to advocate for inclusive meal options on her campus. She also completed the Millennium Fellowship, serving as both fellow and co-campus director, and participated in the Public Policy International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University. Before graduating from FGCU, she worked as a political affairs intern at a nonprofit organization, where she focused on U.S. foreign policy and international affairs budget. Her areas of interest include the labor market, income inequality, poverty, migration, food insecurity, global policy, and sustainable development. She is excited to be part of the Master of Development Practice (MDP) program, where she aims to expand her horizons and prepare for a future as a dedicated international civil servant.