PORTFOLIO / 2026

Sanjaay
Babu

Rising sophomore @ Duke University ('29), studying economics and philosophy.

I care about exploring better multilateral solutions to the world's challenges, building happier societies, and exploring applied ethical questions.

What I'm working on now My Duke journey

CURRENTLY

B.S. Economics and Philosophy

@ Duke University

2025 — 2029

FOCUS

EconomicsAI Ethics, Governance and AlignmentDebateMoral PhilosophyHappiness

Selected Work

2022–2025

Select any role to view work outputs and highlights.

05/2026-present

Undergraduate Policy Fellow

Starling Institute

Research, staffing and tech development for an organization that seeks to enhance the state of global cooperation by building coalitions around key global issues.

02/2026–present

Research Assistant

DevLab @ Duke University

Working on a research project to understand the effects of environmental trade policy on agriculture-driven deforestation

12/2024–02/2025

Strategic Foresight Intern

Ministry of Defence (Singapore)

Qualitative research to support national-level scenario planning exercises.

04/2024-05/2025

Legislative Assistant

Louis Ng Kok Kwang, Member of Parliament (Singapore)

Supported legislative advocacy work for a Member of Parliament in Singapore.

03/2023-04/2024

Asia Analyst (Voluntary)

Human Rights Measurement Initiative

Analysed human rights data to understand trends in Central, Southeast, and East Asia.

12/2024–02/2025

Legal Intern

Forte Law LLC; Davinder Singh Chambers

Two legal internships, across corporate and dispute resolution practices.

01/2023-11/2024

Soldier (Conscription)

Commandos, Singapore Army

Trained in military operations from the air, sea, and land.

Self-Initiated Projects

2022–2025

02/2026 – 05/2026

Ground-up development in the Indian Himalayan Region

Duke Impact Investing Group × Himalay Unnati Mission

Worked on a white paper highlighting the importance of a community-based approach towards economic development in the Indian Himalayan Region.

05/2024–08/2025

Sustainability in the Singapore Army

Singapore Armed Forces

Founded a project team aimed to mitigate incineration of used plastics in the Army.

04/2024–11/2024

Measuring Mental Well-Being in Singapore

The Majurity Trust

Tested the psychometric properties of the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) in a Singaporean context, to validate its use in initiatives to promote Singaporeans' well-being.

01/2022–08/2022