Mia led SMERU’s study on the ecosystem for tech startups in Indonesia, which observes how the government, incubators/accelerators, and financing institutions assist the development of startups. The study focuses on tech startups, namely agritech, cleantech, edtech, and healthtech.

Her current study is on labor market information (IPK). In this study, she and her team examine the readiness of employers and vocational high school graduates in making use of Karirhub-Sistem Informasi Ketenagakerjaan (Karirhub-Sisnaker), which is the national job platform provided by the Ministry of Labor ahead of the implementation of the Unemployment Benefit (JKP). 

To increase research uptake, Mia ensures that engagements with important stakeholders are made during the research and the research outputs are also produced as policy briefs, research notes, and other publications for the policymakers. Her other efforts in policy engagement include being a resource person in seminars and focus group discussions (FGDs) related to the research topics, as well as in interviews with journalists. 

Aside from carrying out research activities, Mia also assists the SMERU management in proposal development, research design, recruitment processes, and junior researcher oversight. Additionally, when SMERU receives external guests, Mia serves as part of the SMERU team in welcoming the guests and introducing them to SMERU’s activities. 

Before joining SMERU, Mia worked as a researcher for the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Jakarta. She was also an expert on socioeconomics for the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Jakarta, and a microcredit specialist for the 6th Sub-Project of Eastern Indonesia, Decentralization Development Planning, UNV-UNDP, Jakarta