Brian Christian is a Fulbright Master’s Scholar of UIC MUPP, specializing in Environmental Policy and Transportation Planning. While pursuing his studies, he works as a Graduate Researcher at UTC (Urban Transportation Center) and leads as the President of UPPSA (Urban Planning & Policy Student Association). In 2025, he was selected for the prestigious AREUEA (American Real Estate & Urban Economics Association) Pipeline Scholar Program. Driven by a passion for leading cities to grow and connecting communities to achieve urban sustainability, he is actively involved in the Fulbright Association and the American Planning Association (APA).

Brian brings 7 years of global professional experience in CRE (Commercial Real Estate), urban-design policy, and transit-oriented development. At JLL, he provided data and insights for citizens, developers, and investors. As the country's ArcGIS Map-IT SPOC, he utilized spatial technologies to identify patterns in office occupier behaviors and green-certified buildings. During his tenure at JLL, Brian experienced offices in Bangkok, Brussels, New York City, Singapore, and Tokyo, deepening his understanding of global CRE market trends.

Brian is committed to enhancing mastery, establishing policy, and empowering society to foster urban sustainability through planning and diplomacy as a young leader from the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2020, Brian has led as Director of SSEAYP (Ship for Southeast Asian & Japanese Youth Program) II Inc., overseeing multimedia platforms and multilateral communications that connect leaders and stakeholders across ASEAN and Japan.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in City & Regional Planning from ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology). As a member of ISOCARP (International Society of City & Regional Planners), his research papers have been presented at the 58th (Brussels, 2022) and 59th ISOCARP World Planning Congress & the 5th Urban Economic Forum (Toronto, 2023). Prior to coming to the U.S. as a Fulbright awardee, he was invited to present his project on hybrid workspace policy at the 3rd NTU STS (Science, Technology, Society) Global Conference (Singapore, 2024). Brian is also a member of MENSA, the global high-IQ society.

Brian is grateful to have been selected multiple times from among thousands of young leaders across the Asia-Pacific to participate in prestigious, fully funded leadership and scholarship programs, including the 2022 HPAIR (Harvard Project for Asian & International Relations), the 2021 YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative), and the 44th SSEAYP in 2017.