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 campus. She also completed the Millennium Fellowship, serving as both a fellow and co-campus director, and participated in the Public Policy International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship. Before graduating from FGCU, Shaira worked as a political affairs intern at a nonprofit organization, where she focused on U.S. foreign policy and the international affairs budget. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Development Practice (MDP) at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her areas of interest include the labor market, income inequality, poverty, migration, food insecurity, global policy, and sustainable development. She is excited to be a part of the MINN Fellowship Program.