I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics & Economics at Montana State University. 

I am an applied microeconomist with research interests in labor and public economics. One primary thread of my research focuses on impacts of environmental quality on economic outcomes, including labor productivity and overall utility. A second, emerging strand of my research focuses on causes and consequences of low fertility across both developed and developing country contexts. Finally, I have also made contributions to a burgeoning field examining determinants of refugee success in their host countries, as well as to the economics of education. 

For more information please see my CV or contact me at: melissa(dot)lopalo(at)montana(dot)edu