Embedded Files
Contact: Marta Vicarelli <mvicarelli@econs.umass.edu>
Uttara Prakash is a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in Managerial Economics with a minor in Business and Information Technology.
She is the recipient of the CJLS RISE Into Research Summer Research Fellowship (2025). As part of this program Uttara will work as a Research Assistant to Dr. Marta Vicarelli on the NSF-funded project Recovery, Renewal and Resilience in a Post-Pandemic World, which explores sustainable and inclusive economic development in coastal communities.
Uttara is excited to contribute to research that aligns with her interests in sustainability, economic policy, and international development. She is especially inspired by Dr. Vicarelli’s interdisciplinary approach to using economics as a tool for social and environmental resilience, and sees this globally collaborative project as an invaluable opportunity to learn and grow.
Nathaniel Rooney is a second-year student at UMass Amherst’s Commonwealth Honors College. He is pursuing a dual degree in Mathematics and Economics with a minor in Political Science.
He has previously contributed to research on energy inequality in Chicago as part of an Economics Undergraduate Research Assistantship under Prof. Michael Ash. As part of the “Color of Wealth: Chicago” study, Nathaniel used conditional inference trees to assess which attributes are most deterministic of ownership and usage of certain energy transition technologies.
Nathaniel is currently contributing to Prof. Marta Vicarelli’s research on Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs in Massachusetts. He is excited to research solutions to climate change that simultaneously decrease inequality.
Anushka Kharel is rising junior at Mount Holyoke College, pursuing a double major in Economics and Data Science. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of environmental and developmental economics, where she is passionate about using data-driven research to inform equitable and sustainable policy solutions. She is especially drawn to exploring how economic systems can address environmental challenges and promote inclusive development across diverse communities.
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 currently developing a research project investigating sustainable finance instruments.
She is passionate about environmental issues and aspires to play a role in making the world a more sustainable place.
Saniya Jain is a junior at UMass Amherst, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Informatics and Economics.
She is deeply involved in impactful research, serving as a Research Assistant at the Sustainable Economics and Policy Lab (SUP Lab) under Professor Marta Vicarelli, where she contributes to a project focused on climate-resilient transportation infrastructure in Massachusetts. Additionally, she works as a Research Mentor at the Community4Impact Lab with Professor Viviana Chiu Sik Wu, guiding research on social justice in grant-making.
Saniya is passionate about development economics and data-driven policy-making and aspires to work in the field of international development as a policy consultant or data scientist. Beyond academics, Saniya enjoys creative, crafty hobbies like crochet and pottery.
Hailey Elson is from California and received a double Bachelors in Environmental Science, Geography and Management & Earth Science from Sonoma State University last spring. She is a first-year Geoscience master's student studying with Julie Brigham-Grette and she is supporting the Sustainable Solutions Winter School under the supervision of Dr. Vicarelli.
She is interested in GIS, geography, and climate change resilience. While studying at the University of Uppsala in Sweden for 18 months, she became intrigued by Arctic policy climate issues. Her current research is in sub-Arctic Alaska along the Yukon River, working with indigenous villages to understand landscape changes.
She is also passionate in climate policy, sustainability, and science communication.
Ishaan Sarna is a junior double majoring in Managerial Economics and Psychology with a minor in Data Science at UMass Amherst.
He is a Research Fellow at the Sustainable Economics and Policy Lab, where he assists Professor Marta Vicarelli with her research on climate preparedness in Massachusetts. Additionally, he is the Chair of the Outreach and Development Committee of the Student Government Association where he spearheads initiatives to enhance student engagement and support campus organisations.
Ishaan is also an Admissions Representative, where he leads campus tours and guides prospective students and their families through the admissions process.
Passionate about environmental advocacy and policy development, Ishaan aspires to build a career at the intersection of research and impactful policymaking. Beyond academics, Ishaan enjoys reading, hiking, and writing poetry.
Divina Desousa Rodrigues is an undergraduate junior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst double majoring in social thought & political economy and journalism. They were a community evaluator with Tufts Interdisciplinary Evaluation Research program, where they looked at health inequities impacting young adults who had aged out of the child welfare system.
Currently, they work as a research assistant on sustainable economic policies and nature based solutions in Massachusetts with Professor Vicarelli and as a project intern with the Commission on LGBTQ Youth. Divina is also assisting Professor Vicarelli with the organization of the Sustainable Solutions Winter School.
Through their work in research, policy, advocacy, and reporting they hope to work towards creating a better world.
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
ALUMNI COLLABORATORS
Melissa Sun graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with 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.
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 was part of our research team investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households and municipalities and he has been contributing to our an award winning global assessment of Nature-based Solutions economic efficiency and equity.
Paisley Gavin pursued 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.
Julian Zadow is 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.
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.
Ajay is interested in public policy, international development and environmental economics, and hopes to pursue a career in one of his fields of interest.
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.
EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
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
ALUMNI
Aryen Shrestha graduated from Amherst College, double majoring in Economics and Computer Science. Aryen was 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.
Aryen has contributed as data analyst to a research project investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households. Aryen was 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
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 .
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 contributed 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.
Anna Gishin 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 contributed 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.
Michael Kang 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 contributed 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.
Elizabeth Murphy 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse