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Indian-origin student wins global economics challenge
Her submission used computational modeling, economic data visualization and systems-level analysis to examine emerging global trends.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 09, Dec 2025
- 14:39 EST
- 19
Harshim Saluja / Penn State
An Indian-origin engineering student, Harshim Saluja, was named one of five global winners of Bridgewater Associates’ “Forecasting the Future: A Modern Economics Challenge.”
The international competition, organized in partnership with Global Citizen, drew more than 1,000 submissions from 120 countries. Participants were tasked with forecasting how “Modern Mercantilism” may shape global trade, technology and geopolitics through 2035.
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Saluja’s submission used computational modeling, economic data visualization and systems-level analysis to examine emerging global trends. Using techniques from computer science and data analytics, she assessed how artificial intelligence, automation and shifting trade networks could influence global power dynamics over the coming decade.
“The idea came from doing a lot of research on the stock market and really trying to understand it as someone without a finance background,” Saluja said. She said extensive reading on market behavior helped her formulate 20 detailed forecasts. “After collecting the data, it came down to using the right amount of math and analytical skills to develop the forecasts,” she added.
Winners were announced at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City’s Central Park, where Bridgewater CEO Nir Bar Dea and Global Citizen ambassador Hugh Jackman recognized the finalists on stage. Each winner receives $25,000 and an opportunity for employment or an internship at the firm.
Saluja is a junior majoring in computational data science at Penn State University and is pursuing a double major in computer science and statistics, with a minor in finance and entrepreneurship. She conducts research in algorithmic trading, focusing on volatility modeling and time-series forecasting.
She conducts research in algorithmic trading, focusing on volatility modeling and time-series forecasting.
Her experience includes work as an AI research assistant, growth engineering intern, data engineer and founder of AI and quantitative projects such as CollegeNavigator.AI. She also holds leadership roles in student organizations at Penn State.
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