About me

I am an Assistant Professor of Economics at Old Dominion University. I graduated with a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of New Mexico in 2024. My research interests are in public economics, specifically focusing on Health and Urban economics. I seek to address economic challenges to better understand the complex impacts of substance use disorder treatment, homelessness, and housing programs on societal outcomes. My research findings challenge anecdotal claims that homeless shelters decrease the property values of a neighborhood. In addition, I am active in interdisciplinary engagements that evaluate the effectiveness of safety net programs like Medicaid. I completed my Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) from Kenyatta University, Kenya, in 2011, my MBA from the University of Memphis in 2015, and my M.A. in Economics from the University of New Mexico in 2019.

Research interests: supportive housing/ homelessness, cost analysis, substance use disorder treatment, impacts on property values, economics of crime, food away/ at home, safety-net program evaluation.