I am an economist focusing on agribusiness and food economics on the job market for 2025.
Currently completing my Ph.D. in Energy, Environment, and Food Economics at Penn State University, my research focuses on the intersection of food production, consumer behavior, and public health. My job market paper studies food addiction combining economic theory, high-frequency consumer-level food purchase data, and innovative econometric methods to understand addictive consumption patterns at the household level and how these consumption patterns correspond to individual health status. This research contributes to the project of industry-relevant, applied microeconomic research.
Throughout my Ph.D., I contributed to the Thriving Agricultural Systems in Urbanized Landscapes project, a large USDA NIFA funded interdisciplinary initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural sustainability. Collaborating with academics, USDA researchers, and industry professionals has enriched my research with diverse perspectives. Through this project, I led discussions on local foods with stakeholders at annual workshops. I also had the opportunity to work directly with USDA ERS on an upcoming report to congress on trends in U.S. local and regional food systems. These experiences have equipped me to support an interdisciplinary research approach.
I have nearly a decade of teaching experience, including the independent instruction of two university-level agribusiness courses – AGBM 338: Agribusiness in the Global Economy and AGBM 320: Markets and Prices. Through teaching these courses, I have not only polished my teaching skills but also developed an expertise in many agribusiness topics. I am passionate about student success, and I tailor my lessons to foster active learning and critical thinking in the classroom.