Contact Information
Department of Economics
Northwestern University
2211 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: 202-595-4633
Education
Ph.D., Economics, Northwestern University, 2024 (expected)
MA, Economics, Northwestern University, 2021
BA, Economics and Applied Mathematics, The George Washington University, 2018
Primary Fields of Specialization
Development Economics
Secondary Fields of Specialization
Environmental Economics, Applied Microeconomics
Curriculum Vitae
Job Market Paper
“Shifting Landscapes: The Impact of Agricultural Innovation on Deforestation” (PDF)
Abstract: This paper examines the effect of a new agricultural technology, namely genetically modified (GM) seeds, on deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Our empirical strategy leverages the heterogeneous effects that the introduction of GM soy seeds had on agricultural productivity across areas based on soil and weather characteristics, and satellite data on land use. We show that increases in soy productivity lead to changes in the local composition of land use as soy replaces existing activities, namely pastures for cattle grazing. This leads to a decrease in deforestation, because soy cultivation is less land-intensive than cattle grazing. Next, we examine whether the reallocation of pastures elsewhere leads to deforestation. We find that pastures are displaced to areas connected by the road network, and cause deforestation. We conclude that the introduction of GM soy contributed to 7.4% of the total deforested area in the Brazilian Amazon between 2003 and 2010.
Other Research Papers
“Deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo” with Ameet Morjaria (preliminary draft upon request)
Abstract: The conservation of forests is a key element of global efforts to slow climate change. In this study, we focus on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which hosts the majority of the Congo Basin rainforest, the world’s second-largest such ecosystem. To study drivers of deforestation in the DRC, we compile a dataset that includes satellite imagery tracking deforestation, proprietary administrative data on mine openings and contracts, and geocoded information on conflicts. We employ a staggered adoption differences-in-differences design, leveraging variation in the timing of mine openings, to assess the impact of these openings on deforestation. The effect of mine openings on deforestation is ambiguous. On one hand, mines may shift labor allocation away from forest resource extraction to mineral exploitation, reducing deforestation. On the other hand, an increase in local incomes and population due to mining activity may increase demand for land, increasing deforestation. Our preliminary findings indicate that the opening of mines leads to a decrease in deforestation, particularly in non-fire-related deforestation. We posit that this reduction in deforestation is linked to increased conflict that accompanies mine openings, which hinders local populations from benefiting from mining activities.
“Excluded Women: The Fall of Female Labor Force Participation in Post-Industrial Revolution England” with Laura Murphy and Myera Rashid (draft upon request)
Abstract: We study women’s labor market participation in England between 1851 and 1911 using newly digitized census microdata. We document three novel facts. First, women’s labor force participation rate slightly decreased between 1851 and 1911, driven by a 40% decrease among married women. Secondly, examining synthetic cohorts reveals that the drop in married women’s labor force participation is driven by younger cohorts choosing not to join the workforce, rather than older cohorts exiting at increasing rates. Lastly, we observe that women were predominantly employed in the textile and domestic service sectors. Our theoretical model suggests that increasing societal barriers may have infiuenced married women’s labor market engagement over time.
Teaching
Environmental Economics, Prof. Mark Witte, Winter 2023
Intermediate Microeconomics I, Prof. James Hornsten, Fall 2019 & Fall 2022
Introduction to Microeconomics, Prof. Eric Schulz, Spring 2022
Intermediate Microeconomics I, Prof. Eric Schulz, Winter 2022
Introduction to Microeconomics, Prof. Sara Hernandez, Winter 2020 & Spring 2021 & Fall 2021
Introduction to Microeconomics, Prof. Scott Ogawa, Spring 2020
References
Prof. Seema Jayachandran (Committee Co-chair)
Prof. Christopher Udry (Committee Co-chair)
Prof. Jacopo Ponticelli