The South Asia Center congratulates the 2026 graduates of the M.A. in International Studies (South Asia) and affiliated South Asia Studies programs!
Read more about some of our graduates below.
Shahrukh Baloch
Degree: M.A. in International Studies (South Asia)
Research Interests: Postcolonial & decolonial studies, memory and counter-archival practices, politics of infrastructure, urban & visual anthropology.
Final Paper: “Baloch Missing Persons’ Campsite: Memory Making and Counter-Archival Practices”
Honors, awards, and fellowships: 2025 Frank F. Conlon Fellowship; 2024 Margaret C. Mykut Fellowship
Favorite class: Interdisciplinary Study of South Asia, taught by Christian Novetzke, was one of my favorite classes at UW. Through this class, I found a community of students interested in South Asia, and many of those friendships lasted throughout my time at UW. Professor Novetzke is an exceptional instructor who fosters collaboration by encouraging students to review and edit one another’s work. I particularly enjoyed the course readings and the gradual structure of the assignments. The weekly writing and peer-editing exercises helped me continuously refine my ideas, ultimately shaping the foundation of my final MA paper.
Future Plans: I plan to enroll in a PhD in anthropology.
Advice for new students: The South Asia community at UW is very helpful and supportive. Make an effort to connect with fellow students, faculty, and staff, as these relationships can make your experience much more enjoyable and rewarding. Build strong bonds, get involved, support one another, and make the most of your time here. Enjoy every moment. It goes by faster than you think!
Joyeeta Das
Degree: M.A. in Comparative Religion
Research/academic interests: Critical Menstrual Studies, South Asia Studies, Religious Studies, Gender Studies
Final Papers: “Caged by the Law, Cleansed by the Flow: Investigating the Interpretive Capture of the Menstruating Body in the Dharmasutras and the (Ayurvedic) Samhitas” and “Does Brahmanical Stricture imply Buddhist Relief ?: An Inquiry into the Source(s) and Nature of Early Buddhist Menstrual Regulations in Bhikkhuni Khandaka of Cullavagga”
Honors, awards, and fellowships: 2025 Eugene and Marilyn D. Webb Scholarship; 2025 Jackson School of International Studies Conference Fellowship for Summer Program; 2024 and 2025 Domoto Webb Endowed Fellowship; 2024-2025 Top Scholar Fellowship
Favorite classes: The Hindu Goddess, Epic Emotions in the Iliad and the Mahabharata, Interdisciplinary Study of South Asia, Theories in the Study of Religion
Future plans after graduation: Applying to PhD programs
Advice for new students: Living abroad on my own certainly came with its challenges, but the South Asia Center and the University of Washington community completely transformed that experience. While the resources here are fantastic, it’s truly the approachable, supportive people who make the difference. The conversations I’ve had here have not only shaped my academic outlook but have also deeply inspired me as an author, fueling the development of multiple creative compositions published in prestigious journals between 2024 and 2026. I highly encourage fellow students to dive into this community, connect with others, and embrace new perspectives—you’ll be amazed at how a simple conversation can spark both your creative and research journeys!
Jonathan Laiman
Degree: M.A. in Buddhist Studies
Research/academic interests: My research focuses on early Buddhist literature, Gandhāran Buddhist manuscripts, and the transmission of Buddhist narratives across South Asia, Central Asia, and China. I am particularly interested in philology, Buddhist narrative literature, manuscript cultures, and the development of early Buddhist textual traditions.
Thesis: “Early Biographical Narratives of the Buddha: An Edition and Study of Robert Senior Kharoṣṭhī Fragment 24”
Honors, awards, and fellowships: 2023-2026 Khyentse-Husky Buddhist Studies Fellowship; Graduate Student Conference Presentation Award.
Favorite classes: Advanced Sanskrit (SNKRT 530 levels), seminar in Buddhism-related course (ASIAN 500 levels), seminar in theory and comparative religion (RELIG 500 levels).
Future plans after graduation: I plan to continue pursuing doctoral studies in Buddhist Studies, focusing on early Buddhist literature and manuscript traditions.
Advice for new students: Take advantage of language training opportunities early, and do not be afraid to work directly with primary sources. Some of the most rewarding moments in South Asian Studies come from engaging closely with texts, languages, and interdisciplinary conversations.
In addition to the students highlighted above, we congratulate the following graduates:
Vishnupriya Goswami, M.A. in South Asian Languages and Literature
Pavandeep Josan, M.A. in International Studies (South Asia)
Saad Khan, Ph.D in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
Mahnoor Lali, M.A. in South Asian Languages and Literature
Karthik Malli, M.A. in International Studies (South Asia)