Student Details

Supervisors:

IIT Bombay: Prof. Arnab Jana, Prof. Santanu Bandyopadhyay

Monash University: Dr. Mita Bhattacharya , Prof. Russell Smyth , Prof. Xibin Zhang

Short Bio and Project Details:

Merin Chacko embarked on her academic journey with the IITB-Monash Research Academy in January 2024. Her PhD research, focused on "Energy Poverty and Energy Transition," is supervised by a distinguished team of mentors: Prof. Arnab Jana and Prof. Santanu Bandyopadhyay from IIT Bombay, along with Dr. Mita Bhattacharya, Prof. Russell Smyth, and Prof. Xibin Zhang from Monash University.

Her research interests encompass a wide array of topics, including energy economics, the circular economy, social entrepreneurship, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, policy effectiveness, sustainability, and energy transition strategy.

Merin holds an integrated master's degree in Economics from Pondicherry University. Following her graduation, she interned with NABARD, where she gathered and analysed primary data to assess the effectiveness of the Kissan Rupay Credit Card Scheme. The significant social impact of her work during this internship nudged her towards research. Prior to joining IITB-Monash, she spent three years conducting interdisciplinary research in the fields of circular economy and social entrepreneurship at IFMR-GSB, Krea University.

Outside the realm of research, Merin is a spirited quiz enthusiast who thrives on intellectual challenges. She tries to stay active by playing badminton, hitting the gym, and occasionally shooting hoops on the basketball court. She enjoys reading fiction; she also has a love for adventures, always seeking new experiences and thrills.