Meet Our Students

 

New Students

Incoming Masters Class 2008-2009

Incoming Doctoral Class 2008-2009

Current Students

Our graduate student body reflects a variety of backgrounds and research interests.  We have a large international contingent with representation from many countries. 

Economics Graduate Student Ambassadors

Would you like to speak with a current student in our graduate economics program?  Feel free to contact any of the program’s graduate student ambassadors to learn about their experience in the program. 

Robert Darwin (email Robert)
PhD candidate, 4th year
Financial Economics, Econometrics, Industrial Organization
A lifelong resident of North Carolina, Robert Darwin completed his undergraduate education at North Carolina State University as well, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in applied mathematics and economics.  Robert is starting his fourth year of the PhD program, deciding to focus on quantitative aspects of financial economics.  After taking a course at Duke University, he connected with a professor of finance in the Fuqua School of Business with whom he is currently conducting financial research.

Timothy Hamilton (email Tim)
PhD candidate, 4th year
Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
A native of Massachusetts, Tim Hamilton earned his bachelor's degree in economics and finance from Bentley College in Waltham, MA. Immediately following graduation he began the PhD program here at NC State. Tim is now entering his fourth year of the program, focusing on research in the area of environmental and natural resource economics. In particular, his interests include environmental inequality, environmental justice, and resource sustainability. NC State and the Triangle area have offered an ideal opportunity for Tim, as he is involved in research with the US Forest Service and the TREE seminar series, a cooperative program between NC State and Duke University that brings together graduate students, professors, and government researchers.

Nam Anh Tran (email Nam)
PhD candidate, 3rd year
Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
Nam is a native of Vietnam. He completed his undergraduate study in Vietnam and his masters degree in economics at Purdue. He is currently entering his third year in the program, having just completed the core courses for the doctorate. His intended area of specialization is natural resource and environmental economics. He credits the quality of the program and North Carolina's beautiful weather for drawing him to NC State.

Ligia Vado (email Ligia)
PhD candidate, 5th year
Agricultural Economics and International Trade
Ligia finished a B.S in Economics and Finance in her home country, Nicaragua.  During her undergraduate studies she developed a strong intellectual curiosity along with the desire to pursue graduate studies in the U.S. Upon graduation she worked as a financial consultant for PriceWaterHouse Coopers for a few months. She completed her M.Sc. in Agricultural and Applied Economics at Texas Tech University and worked as a research associate for the same school upon graduation. Convinced that economic research was a fun thing to do, she decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics at NCSU. She is currently starting her fifth year in the Ph.D. program and is working on a dissertation about agricultural risk and insurance. Her concentrations are agricultural economics and international trade. Working for the World Bank as a short-term consultant has given her the opportunity to do real-world analysis and blend her fields of interest on applied international economic development.

Student Accomplishments

We encourage our students to seek additional experience in their area of professional interest.  Students currently participating in internships or carrying temporary teaching appointments are employed with SAS, Elon College, William & Mary, Washington & Lee, Appalachain State, Wake Forest, First American Corporation, Meredith College, World Bank, and Duke.

We encourage our students to seek excellence in research and teaching.  Recent recipients of research and teaching recognitions:

AAEA Dissertation Award Nominees
Berna Karali, 2008
Nick Kuminoff, 2007, Honorable Mention
Olha Sydorovych, 2006
Todd McFall, 2006
John Deal, 2005
Huyseyin Tastan, 2004
Jan Chvosta, 2003

NCSU Pollock Graduate Dissertation and Thesis Award Nominees
Otilia Boldea, 2008, College of Management winner
Jaren Pope, 2007, College of Management winner
John Deal, 2005, College of Management winner
Eric Belasco, 2008, nominee
Carlos Carpio, 2007, nominee
David Butry, 2006, nominee
Olga Sydorovych, 2006, nominee
Jan Chvosta, 2003, nominee

Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching
Osman Gulseven, 2008
Julianne Treme, 2006

CALS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assisant Award
Kristen Collett-Schmitt, 2007