ASIA CENTRE'S 2025 INTERNS
Sarah Nag
Sarah Nag is a Research Intern at the Asia Centre AI Hub from August to December 2025. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Humanities with a minor in Asia-Pacific Affairs from Sciences Po Paris. She is presently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Security at Sciences Po’s Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), with a dual-concentration in Intelligence and Global Risks.
She is currently undertaking academic training in intelligence, counter-terrorism, and war studies, with a penchant for how conflict and security dynamics shape international relations. With academic and professional experience gained at diplomatic platforms, risk consultancies, think tanks, and civil society organisations across France, India, Singapore, Nepal and now, Thailand, she seeks to contribute to projects on geopolitical risk and security analysis, through desk and field research, conflict monitoring and producing evidence-based insights into both community-level and global security challenges. At Asia Centre, she hopes to focus on the realm of human security, examining how conflict and governance intersect to shape human rights and its violations in the South and South-East Asian political landscape.
Matilda Pina
Matilda Pina is a Research intern at the Asia Centre Research Hub from September 2025 to February 2026. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Leiden University, with a specialisation in East Asia and the Mandarin Chinese language. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Cooperation and Development from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan.
Passionate about human rights, cross-cultural diplomacy, and Southeast and East Asian cultures, Matilda hopes to make a meaningful contribution to the Centre’s research and advocacy efforts during her internship. She aspires to deepen her understanding of the role of regional cooperation in addressing and finding solutions to human rights issues in Southeast Asia by conducting evidence-based research at the Centre.
Nikita Gribachev Serpilova
Nikita Gribachev Serpilova is a programme intern at the Asia Centre Research Hub in Bangkok from September 2025 to January 2026. He is currently a fourth-year student at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) as well as ESIC university, where he is currently completing a double degree in International Business & Business Administration and management.
He has a strong interest in international relations, political economy, international business and regional cooperation in South-East Asia. He values working in multicultural environments and is keen to explore the intersection between global business and policy. At Asia Centre, he aims to apply his skills in research, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration to support stakeholder mapping, policy-oriented reporting, and outreach activities. By interning at Asia Centre, he seeks to gain first-hand experience in Southeast Asia, deepen his understanding of regional dynamics, and prepare for future academic and professional pursuits in international relations.
Srijita Mukherjee
Srijita Mukherjee is a Research Intern at the Asia Centre in Bangkok from July to September 2025. As an undergraduate student studying Sociology at the University of Southampton in the UK, she embodies a deep curiosity about the social world and its complexities. With a passionate focus on gender justice studies, period poverty, and racism, Srijita is committed to making a meaningful contribution to society through research and charitable work. Her internship is not just a stepping stone but an opportunity to gain valuable skills as a researcher, broaden her understanding of the social landscape, and deepen her engagement with pressing political issues and the vital work of NGOs.
Sheref Weal Moursi
Sheref Weal Moursi is a Research Intern at the Asia Centre Training Hub from May to July 2025. He is currently pursuing a degree in Economics at Ateneo de Davao University in the Philippines.
His academic and extracurricular interests lie at the intersection of economics, diplomacy, and human rights. Sheref is particularly eager to deepen his understanding of sustainable development and youth leadership. At university and beyond, he has been involved in youth-led initiatives promoting peacebuilding, disaster preparedness, and community empowerment. He has also contributed to public engagement activities and supported partnership-building efforts within civil society networks. Recognised for his participation in sustainability and policy-related challenges, Sheref brings a growing background in public relations, project coordination, and policy advocacy to his role at the Centre.
Chieh-Yu Liao (Natalie)
Chieh-Yu Liao (Natalie) is a Communications and Partnerships intern at Asia Centre in Bangkok from June to August 2025. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Theatre at National Taiwan University, with a minor in Political Theory, as part of the university’s Overseas Internship Programme.
Her academic interests centre on political philosophy, particularly how normative ideas influence and interact with institutional frameworks, and the challenges faced when these frameworks are applied in practice. She is also passionate about art and art theory, focusing on how the arts engage in public discourse, foster civic participation, and uphold artists’ rights within society. Through her internship at the Centre ,Natalie hopes to gain close insight into the workings of NGOs and think tanks, develop skills in partnership-building and resource networking, and understand the everyday operations of such organisations. She also aims to enhance her cross-cultural communication and writing skills, while deepening her knowledge of political issues and NGO operations.
Chou, An-Chin (Ann)
Chou, An-Chin (Ann) is a programme intern at the Asia Centre Research Hub in Bangkok from June to August 2025. She is currently a fourth-year student at National Taiwan University, majoring in Political Science (International Relations division) and Sociology.
With a keen interest in Southeast Asian politics, development studies, and international affairs, Ann hopes to deepen her knowledge of evidence-based research on human rights issues in the region. Through her role in the programme team, she aims to gain first-hand experience organising seminars, workshops, and conferences, developing concept notes and event programmes, and coordinating with speakers and participants, while enhancing her understanding of how research organisations operate.
Wen-Ling, Lai (Amy)
Wen-Ling, Lai (Amy) is a Research Intern at the Asia Centre Training Hub from March to August 2025. She recently completed her Master’s degree in International Relations from Jean Moulin University in Lyon, France.
With her research experience on refugees at the European level, she aims to deepen and broaden her understanding of human rights issues in Southeast Asia while gaining hands-on experience in evidence-based research within an organisation. This aligns with her career aspirations beyond the internship, as she aims to focus on advocacy and policy development for the human rights agenda.
Lee Xi Zheng
Lee Xi Zheng, also known as Lee, is Asia Centre Media Hub’s first communications intern. His internship is from February 2025 to June 2025. He is a final year student enrolled in the English for Global Communication program at University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
During his internship, Lee hopes to learn more about the challenges faced by marginalised communities around the Asia region. Additionally, he looks forward to sharing what he has learned at the Centre and to encourage other young people to apply for the internship programme.
Lilly Varner
Lilly Varner is a Media Intern at the Asia Centre Research Hub in Bangkok from January 2025 to March 2025. She is an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Business Administration as well as Legal Studies.
Lilly decided to intern at the Asia Centre because of her strong interest in exploring how NGOs navigate and influence the intersection between governmental structures, the private sector and community-based activism in Thailand. She hopes to gain valuable media and communication skills during her time at the Asia Centre. In her free time, Lilly enjoys playing sports, board games, and baking.