Dr. Marissa Kaloga’s research focuses on women’s innovative economic strategies to support family and community in resource poor contexts. Through her research with women in Asia, Africa, and the US she has developed new knowledge about women’s labor and economic strategies in vulnerable and marginalized populations such as sex workers, refugees, and women in extreme poverty. Dr. Kaloga holds a PhD in Social Work from the Ohio State University with a specialization in Global Health. She has an MSW in Community and Social Justice and Bachelor’s Degrees in International Studies (B.A.) and Business Administration (B.S.). Dr. Kaloga is Director of Innovation and Training at The Economic and Community Development Institute. In this role she is uses knowledge developed in her research to design programs that support entrepreneurs across Ohio, focusing on women, minorities, and refugees. As recipient of the 2018/2019 Core Fulbright award to Guinea, she will spend the upcoming academic year based out of Sonfonia University’s LARSODED lab in the College of Social Sciences, teaching Economic Justice and leading research on creating inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Dr. Kaloga has taught Social Science Research Methods, Race Ethnicity & Gender, Social Welfare, Interdisciplinary Healthcare, Global Perspectives on Sexuality, and International Social Work. She is a two time recipient of the Edward J. Ray Award for Scholarship and Exceptional Service and is the recipient of the Merriss Cornell Research Award.