SUP LAB People
Contact: Marta Vicarelli <mvicarelli@econs.umass.edu>
Aryen Shrestha is a senior at Amherst College, double majoring in Economics and Computer Science. Aryen is a Teaching Assistant and Peer Tutor for Introduction to Computer Science classes. His research interests are primarily related to socio-economic analysis and international development, especially as it pertains to inequality both on a national and global scale.
Currently, Aryen is contributing as data analyst to a research project investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households. Aryen is also involved in a project examining climate resiliency in Massachusetts, and an award winning global assessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficiency and equity.
Aryen is emerging fellow at the Roosevelt Institute
Melissa Sun is a senior pursuing a major in Economics and a minor in Chinese at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is interested in using data science as a storytelling tool in public policy.
Melissa received one of the Spring 2024 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship and she is currently assisting Dr. Vicarelli on a project assessing the opportunities and challenges of implementing Community Choice Energy (CCE) aggregation programs in Massachusetts.
Outside of research, Melissa is an Economics tutor at the Learning Resource Center and an intern at the Donahue Institute's Economic and Public Policy Department. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in research with a focus on policy analysis and international relations.
Julian Zadow is a junior pursuing a double major in Operations and Information Management and Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. On campus, he works as a Teaching Assistant for Intro to Business Information Systems and is involved with the non-profit 180 Degrees Consulting.
Julian received one of the Spring 2024 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship under Professor Vicarelli supervision. He is contributing to a project investigating Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery Strategies under Marta Vicarelli.
His interests include data analysis and visualization, socioeconomic development, and sustainability.
Sarah Welch is a Senior Operations and Information Management candidate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is interested in sustainability from a business lens and how data analysis can be used in the fight against climate change.
Sarah is currently working as a data analyst for a survey-based study examining New England climate risk, adaptation and priorities in relation to transportation infrastructure.
Upon graduation, Sarah hopes to pursue a career in data analytics with a focus on social and environmental impacts.
Paisley Gavin is a senior pursuing a dual degree in Sustainable Community Development and Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Paisley received one of the Spring 2024 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship under Professor Vicarelli supervision. She is contributing to a project investigating Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery Strategies under Marta Vicarelli.
She hopes to pursue a career in economic development and using data analysis to combat socioeconomic inequality.
Samira Alam is a senior, pursuing a Dual Degree in Operations and Information Management(OIM) and Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is also pursuing a Minor in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies (WGSS).
Samira received one of the Fall 2023 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship under the supervision of Professor Vicarelli. As research assistant she contributed to an international project investigating Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery Strategies .
Simon Schütze graduated with a Master of Science in "Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security" from the University of Bonn and the United Nations University. He is currently a researcher at the University of Lleida in Spain where he is pursuing a PhD in disaster risk research with a focus on drought and wildfires.
Simon is contributing to an award winning global assessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficiency and equity.
Publications: https://collections.unu.edu/list/author_id/9927/
ALUMNI COLLABORATORS
Ajay Dawani graduated with a degree in Resource Economics and a minor in Information Technology. Ajay has received one of the Fall 2020 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship and is also a Teaching Assistant in the Resource Economics Department. In Spring 2021 the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences has awarded the prestigious LeBovidge Undergraduate Research Award to Ajay. This award will support Ajay as he contributes to our research project on municipal renewable energy policies in Massachusetts during summer 2021.
Currently, Ajay is working for Deloitte in New York.
Ajay is interested in public policy, international development and environmental economics, and hopes to pursue a career in one of his fields of interest.
Ali Alsadadi graduated from UMass with a degree in Operations and Information Management, minoring in Biology and Economics. On campus, Ali was a Peer Mentor, a Teaching Assistant for OIM 297S (Power Spreadsheets for Business Analysts) and OIM 321 (Business Process Simulation), and an Analyst at the Isenberg Undergraduate Consulting Group.
Currently, Ali is working at McKinsey in Bahrain.
Ali is still part of our research team investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households and municipalities and he is also contruibuting to our research on Nature-based Solutions.
Anna Gishin has completed an honors dual degree in Operations & Information Management and Economics at UMass Amherst. On campus she was involved with the Isenberg Undergraduate Consulting Group and the tennis team, and was a teaching assistant in Isenberg for OIM 210 - Business Information Systems. Her previous work experience includes external and internal consulting at firms including Fresenius Medical Care, Bose, and Ernst & Young. Anna received the Spring 2021 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship.
Anna is currently contributing to our research team investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households and municipalities. She is interested in pursuing a career in management consulting and has recently joined Dana Farber Cancer Institute as Corporate Development Associate.
Emily Laus graduated with a degree in Physics and a minor in Classical Civilizations, striving to understand the human perception of science. She was also a member of the Commonwealth Honors College and the iCons (“Integrated Concentration in Science”) Renewable Energy Track. Emily is currently researching wastewater treatment and the integration of OPGs (oxygenic photogranules) to minimize the need for mechanical aeration. Emily has received the very competitive William Lee Science Impact Program fellowship.
Emily is currently contributing to a research project on renewable energy policy in Massachusetts. Emily is determined to protect the planet through environmental sustainability, equitable communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. For a future career, she hopes to build upon renewable energy and enhance scientific knowledge across the world.
Outside of classes, Emily served as the president of the Society of Physics Students and played the trombone in the Hoop and Ice Band. She also has been a enthusiastic member of the Minuteman Marching Band and the Science Outreach club.
Elizabeth Murphy has received a Master’s of Public Policy and Administration at the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. She is most interested in local policy that affects the daily lives of residents of western Massachusetts.
Currently, Elizabeth is part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households.
Elizabeth received a BA from Mount Holyoke College in 2010 and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Policy in 2020.
Michael Kang has received a Master’s of Public Policy and Administration at the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. He also holds Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Statistics. He received an Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant Fellowship in 2019, assisting Professor A. Dube to investigate the implementation of the wage board system in the US.
Michael is currently contributing to an award winning a global assessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficiency and equity. Michael’s research interests are environmental policy, redistribution, and causal inference in machine learning.
Madeline Leue has received a Master’s of Public Policy and Administration at the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. After a career in Social Work, she is interested in researching and implementing policy which addresses the root causes of inequity.
Currently, Maddy was part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households. She is contributing to a global essessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficience and equity. Maddy is project manager in a survey-based study investigating climate resilience in Massachusetts.
Michael Marr received a Master of Public Policy from the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. Previously an American history teacher, Michael is interested in comparative policy and implementing creative solutions across various policy realms, including in education, the environment, and the energy sector. Michael is currently working as a winter research assistant on the upcoming U.S. Energy and Employment Report. He is contributing to a global essessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficience and equity.
He received a Master of Arts in Teaching in Adolescent Education degree in 2010 from Binghamton University and a Bachelor of Arts in History degree from SUNY Oswego in 2008.
Miranda Vance is assisting the Winter School organizing committee. She is completing a a Master’s of Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts School of Public Policy. Miranda previously worked at a nonprofit as a financial educator, which made her passionate about consumer protection policy. She is also very interested in environmental policy.
Miranda is contributing to an award winning global essessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficience and equity.
Shannon McAndrew graduated with a Master of Public Policy and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Policy.
Shannon's interests are in social and welfare policy, along with its intersection with environmental policy and sustainable development. Following receiving her degree from UMass, she hopes to pursue professional opportunities that will implement critical policy addressing social inequality and adaptation and mitigation of climate change in the United States.
Shannon is contributing to an award winning global essessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficience and equity.
She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Philosophy with honors from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. While at UMass she participated in Division I cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field at both institutions.
Yash Tyagi is completing a graduate degree at the Paris School of Economics. He received a Master’s of Science in Business & Analytics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst ‘s Isenberg School of Management in 2020. Yash is interested in applied data science and socio-economic economic analysis.
Currently, Yash is part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households.
Yash received a Bachelor’s of Art from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Economics with minors in Mathematics & Computer Science in 2019.
Yu Ya Htut Tin has received a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics (Statistics and Data Science) and Economics from University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2021. Shehas received one of the Fall 2020 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship. Yu Ya has also been a Teaching Assistant for Pre-Calculus classes and a team member of Team Positive Presence at UMass.
Yu Ya was part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households. Yu Ya is also a data analyst for a survey-based study investigating climate resilience in Massachusetts.
Upon graduating, she joined BNY Mellon as a Senior Analyst in Tax and Compliance team. Yu Ya is interested in further pursuing Data Analytics with a focus on social data science.
EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
Meredith Canada is a PhD student with the Indiana University School of Social Work. She has a Master of Social Work (MSW '11) from IUPUI and a Master of Public Administration (MPA '09) from Columbia University in the City of New York. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Indiana. Meredith has research experience in criminal justice, public health, psychology, and biology. Previously, she was a therapist in community-based and correctional settings.
Meredith is part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households.
ALUMNI
Aastha Rajani is a sophomore, pursuing a double major in Economics and Mathematics (Statistics and Data Science) and minoring in business from the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
She has previously assisted Professor Vicarelli in a project titled ‘Nature Based Solutions: a meta-analysis’ and she is now contributing to a project investigating Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery Strategies .
She is passionate about environmental issues and aspires to play a role in making the world a more sustainable place.
Kyle Compton currently works as Technical Project manager at US Ignite. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is a Senior Data Analyst at the Sustainable Economics and Policy Lab.
Kyle is currently contributing to a project on renewable energy policy and economics in Massachusetts. He was also part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households.
Kyle has previously worked in economic impact modeling at the federal, state, and regional levels, and has written reports that helped win approval for Medicaid Expansion in Missouri as well as the retirement/replacement of a coal-fired power plant in New Mexico. Kyle has also been involved in research efforts to identify fundamental principles and best practices in the economic valuation of Eco-DRR, which blended elements of spatial modeling, willingness-to-pay estimation, and contingent valuation.
Angie Gregory is a civically-minded community engaged resident of Northampton Massachusetts, a green entrepreneur, and a Barrett Values Center Certified Consultant for organizational transformation.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Art Degree from Smith College, a Permaculture Design Certificate from Sowing Solutions, and pursued a Master’s degree in Sustainability Science from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Angie assisted Professor Vicarelli in organizing the United Nations Sustainable Solution Winter School, hosted by the School of Public Policy in partnership with McMaster University and the United Nations Univeristy.
Dhiroj Koirala is pursuing a doctoral degree in Resource Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is the former head TA for ResEcon 212 (Basic Statistics for Social Sciences). Currently, he is TAing for ResEcon 313 (Decision Analysis).
Dhiroj is interested in environmental economics, environmental policy, and energy. He contributed to a research project on green infrastructure in Nepal.
John Stevenson graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Fall of 2020, majoring in Economics with a minor in Managerial Economics. During the Spring 2020 Term, John received a Economics Undergraduate Research Fellowship (EURA) where he contributed to research on energy policy in Massachusetts.
John is interested in pursuing a career at the intersections of data driven public policy, economic development, and sustainability. He served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in rural Arizona in January 2021.
John joined Capital One as Business Analyst.
Zachary Ettridge holds an Economics and Finance dual-degree candidate at the Univeristy of Massachusetts, Amherst. He worked as a teaching assistant for the Isenberg School of Management and also competed for the Isenberg Ethics Team in intercollegiate business ethics competitions.
Zachary received one of the Spring 2020 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship . He contributed to the developemnt of project analyzing energy markets and renwable energy policy in MA (2020-2021).
Andrew Zhu pursued a degree in mathematics and economics. Andrew received the Fall 2021 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant Fellowship to work on project investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households.
Andrew is interested in public policy and economic analysis. Outside of the classroom, Andrew was an active member in the Isenberg Undergraduate Consulting Group at UMass and joined Boston Consulting Group as a 2022 summer associate.