My research focuses on enhancing food security through nutritional interventions and agricultural production technologies. I am currently working on two key projects: evaluating the impact of food fortification on children's health and cognitive outcomes in Cambodia, and analyzing the effects of hydroponic technology adoption on vegetable production and market equilibrium in the U.S. Both projects aim to improve food quality and accessibility, addressing micronutrient deficiencies and promoting sustainable agriculture production. My work contributes to policy-oriented solutions for food security. Looking ahead, I plan to assess the long-term impacts of nutritional interventions on labor market participation and extend my analysis of production technology internationally.
Prior to my doctoral studies, I conducted extensive research on food security in developing countries, focusing on the analysis of food security statuses and agricultural and rural policies. I led policy demand studies to identify critical policies and projects for enhancing food security in the countries. Additionally, at a national research institute, I evaluated potential partner countries for Korea’s international agricultural development initiatives by examining poverty and food security conditions, particularly in rural areas.
In summary, my research is dedicated to evaluating and formulating effective policies and technologies to enhance food security at both local and global levels. By integrating nutritional interventions and sustainable agricultural practices, my research aims to address critical food security challenges.
Work in Progress
"Impacts of fortified rice on children's outcomes in Cambodia" with Dr. Anubhab Gupta (Virginia Tech)
Evaluates the impact of school meals with fortified rice on children’s health and cognitive outcomes using data from the World Food Programme’s (WFP) project in Cambodia
Compares outcomes between the treatment group receiving fortified rice and the control group receiving normal rice
Observes a significant reduction in zinc deficiency and improvements in nutritional markers such as serum zinc concentrations in children with fortified rice; no significant effects on cognitive outcomes
Estimates heterogeneous treatment effects based on children’s characteristics, indicating varied impacts by gender and malnutrition status.
"Cost-effectiveness of school meals with fortified rice" with Dr. Anubhab Gupta (Virginia Tech)
Conducts a cost-effectiveness evaluation of providing school feeding with fortified rice to mitigate micronutrient deficiencies
Demonstrates that school feeding with fortified rice is highly cost-effective in addressing zinc deficiency
Performs simulations to assess the cost-effectiveness of expanding fortified rice interventions to primary school-aged children across Cambodia
"Impacts of adopting hydroponics technology on vegetable production and market equilibrium in the U.S." with Dr. John Bovay (Virginia Tech)
Explores the adoption rate of hydroponics technology
Evaluates the impacts of hydroponics adoption on market supply and producer surplus in vegetable production
Publications
Dohlman, E., Maguire, K., Davis, W.V., Husby, M., Bovay, J., Weber, C. and Lee, Y., 2024. “Trends, Insights, and Future Prospects for Production in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Agrivoltaics Systems”. Economic Information Bulletin No.264. Economic Research Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Gupta, A., Lee, Y. and Macri, A. "Economic Impact of Using Fortified Rice in Cambodia’sSchool Feeding Programme." World Food Programme, Phnom Penh. Cambodia. October, 2023.
Lee, H., Lee, Y., and Lee, M. 2021. Country Partnership Strategy in Agriculture and Forestry Sector with Uganda. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Heo, J., and Lee, Y. 2020. International Development Cooperation Strategy in Agriculture and Forestry Sector for India. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Heo, J., Cha, W., Lee, H., Lee, Y., Cho, S., Lee, M., and Choi, J. 2019. International Development Cooperation Strategy in Agriculture and Forestry Sector for Focus Countries – 2nd Year. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Heo, J., Seok, H., Cha, W., Lee, Y., and Jeong, D. 2018. International Development Cooperation Strategy in Agriculture and Forestry Sector for Focus Countries- 1st Year. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Choi, Y., Kim, Y., Lee, Y., Lim, C., and Ko, K. 2017. A Study on Cooperation Policies to Attract Agricultural Investment into North Korea in the Future Reform and Opening Period of North Korea (Year 2 of 2). Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Lee, D., Choi, Y., Lee, Y., Ahn, G., and Seok, H. 2017. A Study for Supporting the Development of Medium- and Long-Term Strategy of Overseas Agricultural Development. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Lee, Y., and Lee, D. 2016. Fresh Fruit and Fruit-processing Industry in Uzbekistan. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Lee, D., Lee, Y., and Won, J. 2016. Evaluation of “10-Year Development Strategy on Overseas Agricultural Development”. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Lee, D., Heo, J., Lee, Y., and Kim, Y. 2015. A Study for Development of Textbooks of Agricultural ODA Programs for the “Korean ODA Model”. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Lee, Y., and Heo, J. 2015. In-depth Study on International Cooperation Programs in the Agriculture and Forestry Sector of the “Korean ODA Model” – Farm Mechanization. Naju: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Heo, J., Sung, M., Kim, K., Lee, D., and Lee, Y. 2014. Agriculture Investment and Cooperation with Eurasia Countries: Far East Russia, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Seoul: Korea Rural Economic Institute. [In Korean]
Lee, D., and Lee, Y. 2014. Korea’s Measures to Promote Overseas Agricultural Development. Seoul: Korea Maritime Institute. [In Korean]