Alumni Spotlight | Justin Eloriaga

Justin Eloriaga 25G 26PhD will begin work this summer as an economist with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Shanghai, a role he accepted after emerging from a highly competitive global applicant pool. He is especially excited to continue his work in research and teaching, emphasizing that learning is a lifelong journey and that being “mentorable” while paying it forward to others is essential.

Originally from Manila, Philippines, Eloriaga earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at De La Salle University and worked in central banking before coming to Emory as a Fulbright scholar. His interest in economics began in high school and was also influenced by his mother’s career in banking. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he expanded his teaching by posting lesson on YouTube; his channel, @JustinEloriaga, has since grown to nearly 17,000 subscribers.

Throughout his PhD, he stayed connected to his Filipino heritage, celebrating milestones like his dissertation proposal and completion with shared department meals, and welcoming nine family members and friends from the Philippines to attend the Laney diploma ceremony. Outside of his studies, he is an avid CrossFit athlete and Disney fan, looking forward to visiting Shanghai Disney and completing the runDisney Dopey Challenge—a series of four races from a 5K to a marathon—with his girlfriend, a fellow PhD student at Rollins School of Public Health.