Melanie has been recognised by The University of Auckland in its annual list of 40 exceptional graduates under the age of 40.

Melanie is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Stanford University in the United States and has been recognised in the influencers category.

Her interest in economics was fostered as a student at Wellington Girls' College, where she says she first discovered the power of economics to drive better outcomes for society.   Completing a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Economics and a postgraduate diploma in Development Studies in 2005, she also discovered a passion for academic life.  Her Honours thesis looked at the economic impact of HIV/Aids.

Today she is working alongside colleagues from the World Bank and the London School of Economics on a multi-year study looking at the impact of a new transit system, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's capital city.

The annual 40 under 40 list recognises that many of the highest achievers who studied at the University of Auckland are making huge contributions, be it to business, technology or a social good, before the age of 40.  It is quite an achievement to be recognised on the list given the University of Auckland graduates some 10,000 students each year.