Rodrigo Ortiz Mena is a junior in Saybrook College majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. His experience growing up between Mexico City and Washington D.C. ignited his interest in the economic, political, and demographic relationship between the two countries. His academic interests include development economics, particularly the effects of foreign investment, and Latin American politics. In the New Haven community, Rodrigo volunteers at the HAVEN Free Clinic, where he translates medical visits for uninsured patients, and at the IRIS after school program, where he tutors recent immigrants and refugees. He was a research assistant to James Mwangi, a 2021 World Fellow, helping to prepare material for COP26 negotiations regarding renewable energy opportunities in Africa. This past summer, he lived in Mexico City where he interned at BBVA Bank, conducting research on Mexico’s banking system and financial inclusion, and helped to develop a start-up that supports entrepreneurs in vulnerable communities in the city. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys biking, painting, and cooking with his friends.