My PhD dissertation shows that the impact of economic shocks depends not only on their magnitude, but also on the structure of the economy in which they occur. Reforms aimed at stimulating economic activity should account for an economy's underlying structure. Tax incentives alone may be insufficient if they target sectors that are not central to growth, and resource windfalls may require complementary policies to prevent structural imbalances. Understanding this interaction is essential for designing effective policies and for explaining why similar shocks can produce very different outcomes across contexts.

Awards:

2025-- Outstanding Graduate Scholar: NIU Dept. of Economics

2024-- Runner-up, PhD Paper Competition: Illinois Economic Association (IEA)

2015-- Best Graduating Economics Student, University of Cape Coast

Service:

2025/2026 Academic Year--  President, Association of Graduate Economics Students, NIU

Volunteer, NIU Huskie Food Pantry, Huskie Closet & Northern Illinois Food Bank