Merissa Joju is the Course Assistant for the 2024 iteration of the International Economics & Finance for Environmental Leadership Course. While she was born in India, she has spent the majority of her life growing up in New Jersey.  She is currently pursuing her bachelor's at American University in Washington, D.C.  in International Studies and Spanish with a focus on Environmental Sustainability and Global Health, set to graduate this fall. Her research interests during undergrad include water policy and agribusiness. Her personal interests include an affinity for movie soundtracks, exploring nature, and a concerning amount of coffee intake.