Meaza Zerihun Demissie holds a bachelor in Political Science and International Relations from Addis Ababa University (2000), Ethiopia and an MPA from Southern University (2004), Louisiana. Her research interest is growth & development of sub-Saharan African countries. She joined the IDV program in Fall 2005 and is currently writing her dissertation under Dr. Naghshpour's direction. She is an Associate Program Manager at the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation in Arlington, VA.

Jonathan Fink
Jonathan serves as founder and managing director of TSI Global Consulting in San Antonio, Texas. He also serves on the adjunct faculty in the Bill Greehey School of Business, St. Mary’s University where he teaches advanced undergraduate and MBA courses in international business and economics. With over fifteen years of international business experience, primarily in the textile and apparel industry, he has structured trade and investment transactions for client companies in Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. He holds an M.A. in international economics from Boston University and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Richmond. His doctoral dissertation research is focused on applied global value chain theory in the textile and apparel industry.

James M. Kierulff

Kierulff, James M. "Christian Based Economic Relief Efforts and the New Biofuels Industry" to be presented at Baylor University (October 2008) Waco, Texas.

Kierulff, James M. "Worker Struck By Forklift." Occupational Safety Observer. November, 1993.

Olson, Jon L., Linda R. Pond, James M. Kierulff. U.S. Department of Energy. Hanford Personnel Security Assurance Program Reevaluation, 1993. Prepared by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory in cooperation with Security Transition Program Office, Richland Operations. Seattle, WA: 1993.
Kierulff, James M. and Douglass R. Wieringa. "Worker Receives Electrical Shock While Using Hand Drill." Occupational Safety Observer. September, 1993.
Kierulff, James M. "Creating Better Spill Barriers." Occupational Safety Observer. August, 1993.
Hauth, Joseph T., Susan H. Bush, Walter I. Enderlin, James M. Kierulff, M. L. Gore. Institute of Nuclear Safety Systems. An Overview of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Aging Research Programs, 1993. Prepared by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory. Seattle, WA: 1993.
Schuller, C. R., James M. Kierulff. U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command. Fireflex Encrypted Radio Communications Experiment, 1991. Prepared by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory. Quantico, VA: 1991.
Toquam, Jody L., Antoanette L. Slavich, C. R. Schuller, Curtis D. Westra, James M. Kierulff, R. L. Martin, Susan E. Murphy, L. B. Myers. U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command. U.S. Marine Corps Fireflex Program: Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) Field Appraisal, 1990. Prepared by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory. Quantico, VA: 1990.

Pat O'Brien

Pat O'Brien was born in Iowa while his mother was born and raised in New Zealand.  This has helped Pat remain relatively free from a parochial view of the world.  He served as an enlisted Marine for four years and was discharged a sergeant.  Pat graduated with a B.S. Management from Virginia Tech, an M.B.A. from Webster University, and was enrolled as an IDV Student in August 2007.  Currently an assistant professor of business at John Brown University, Pat is director of the Professional Studies Business Programs.  His professional background has been in Information Technology as a programmer, analyst, team leader, manager and consultant.  His love is economics, as he is always interested in why people make the decisions they do.  Pat is interested in the economic condition of the Philippines and the effects of NAFTA on both the U.S. and Mexican population.

Rian Plaswirth

From 1999-2004, Rian went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for undergraduate studies.  There Rian majored in Anthropology, and minored in Linguistics and Criminal Justice.  While at UAB Rian also served as captain of the research group for the UAB Mock Trial Team. In January of 2005, Rian began graduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus.  In 2007, Rian received an M.S. in International Relations from the School in Arts in Letters.  The same year, Rian entered the International Development Ph.D. program. Rian's area of study includes maritime elements of economic development, and commerce security at sea.