Anaïs Toungui is a quantitative research associate at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) where she uses empirical methods to support the research and evaluation of projects on early childhood education/development, cash transfers/social protection, students’ reading and learning assessments, and on crime and justice. Prior to AIR, she gained analytical and research experiences through her roles at Innovations for Poverty Action, UNHCR – Jordan, UNDP – Gabon, The Hunger Project and The African Union. Her research interest focuses on child poverty and social welfare in sub-Saharan Africa through the lenses of health and education. She is particularly keen on exploring the causal mechanisms by which children’s vulnerability can be reduced through early childhood development and education, infant and young child feeding practices, and through improved maternal health and nutrition. Anaïs holds a Master of International Affairs in Economic and Political Development from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) as well as a BA in International Studies with a minor in Political Economy from Marymount Manhattan College. She is a native French speaker, and was born and raised in Libreville, Gabon.