Dixit Poudel, Ph.D. 

Hi, I’m Dixit. I’m a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California, Davis, where I spend my days thinking (and working, ofcourse!) about international development, and trade, and how policies/laws/regulations/innovations actually play out in the real world. Methodologically, I love applied econometrics, causal inference, and any microeconomic question that requires rolling up my sleeves and getting into the data. My Ph.D. dissertation examined modern structural transformation and economic development under technological, environmental, and regulatory shocks, with studies spanning formal and informal firms as well as global regulations on trans fats. I also serve as a Research Fellow at the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security.

Since 2023, I’ve also been working as an Economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). And honestly? I’ve really enjoyed it. My work there sits at a fun intersection of experimental, quasi-experimental, and geospatial analysis: looking at agriculture, climate, food systems, and how countries navigate all these challenges. Some days I’m deep in a dataset; other days I’m on calls with policymakers across continents. It keeps me curious and humble, and I learn something new every week.

I was born in Nepal – yes, the country most people eventually locate by saying, “Oh, the Himalayas!” I did my BS in Agricultural Sciences (Agricultural Economics) at Agriculture and Forestry University, and then made my way to the University of Georgia for my MS and Ph.D. in Applied Economics. Before joining UC Davis, I was Postdoctoral Associate in International Economics at the University of Georgia. I taught undergraduate-level Food Policy for 6 years, and graduate-level International Trade and Policy, which I genuinely enjoy (even when students ask the hard questions).

My career so far has been a mix of academia, government, private sector, and international organizations, which is exactly how I like it. I’ve worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, held leadership roles in the AAEA–USDA/ERS DEI Committee and the South Asia Section, served as President of the UGA Graduate Student Association, and co-lead FAO-ESA’s Junior Economists Research Club. In 2025–26, I’m also serving as a Mentor with the Association for Mentoring and Inclusion in Economics (AMIE).

I’ve been lucky to receive several fellowships and recognitions along the way – IMF Young Fellow, Adam Smith Economics Fellow, AIARD Fellow, UC Berkeley Environment and Energy Economics Fellow, PAFTAD Fellow, and a few awards for research and leadership. All of these remind me how much I enjoy being part of a global community of researchers and policymakers.

But at the end of the day, what keeps me grounded is curiosity, and the belief that evidence, when done right, can make people’s lives a little better.

Outside of work, I’m usually traveling, hiking, cycling, or taking way-too-long intrastate drives because I love learning about local culture. I cook, I sleep (a lot), I sing (with more enthusiasm than skill), and I love hearing real-world stories from people I meet. Because that’s often where the best economic questions begin.

(Background Image: Harvard Law School)