Education

Economics PhD Candidate, North Carolina State University, NC (2025)

MA Economics, Fordham University, NY (2020) Related Fordham article

MA International Political Economy of Development, Fordham University, NY (2020).

BA Finance and BA Economics, University of Maryland, MD (2014)

Job Market Paper

Effects of Sea Level Rise on US Atlantic Agricultural Land Values

Research Interests

Agricultural and environmental economics. Particular focus on agricultural production in light of environmental changes and pollution health outcomes. Other experiences include ag-bio tech policy and gender-based violence in UN Peacekeeping. Typical methods include experiments and applied econometrics for causal inference, including spatial (GIS) data. Some experience in mixed-methods.

Awards & Fellowships

AAEA Anthony Grano Scholarship (2025)

NSF AgBioFEWs Fellowship (2021 - 2022)

Fulbright Public Policy Scholar (2021)

Publications

Schaffer et al (2025), Lead Exposure and Antisocial Behavior: A Systematic Review of Human and Animal Evidence. Environment International (Accepted and forethcoming)

Budnick et al (2025), Questions and Consequences of Omics in Genetically Engineered Crop Regulation. Plant Environ Interactions. DOI: 10.1002/pei3.70033

Alsdorf et al (2025), Enhancing non-Bt corn refuge based on corn grower and seed dealer surveys. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae027

Furgurson et al (2023), Seizing the policy moment in crop biotech regulation: an interdisciplinary response to the Executive Order on biotechnology. Front Bioengineering and Biotechnology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1241537

Ferraro, Ericson, Simons, Nash, Kabir (2023) Bovine lead exposure from informal battery recycling in India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-27811-7

Shaffer et al (2022), Lead exposure and Antisocial Behavior: A Systematic Review Protocol. Environmental International. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107438

Fuller et al (2022), Pollution and Health: A Progress Update. The Lancet Planetary Health. DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00090-0

Ericson et al (2021), Blood Lead Levels in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. The Lancet Planetary Health. DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30278-3

King et al (2021), ‘MINUSTAH is doing positive things just as they do negative things’: nuanced perceptions of a UN peacekeeping operation amidst peacekeeper-perpetrated sexual exploitation and abuse in Haiti. Conflict, Security & Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2021.1997453 Related NY Times article

Working Papers

Ferraro et al (2025), Yet the Lesser Evil? The Trouble With Investigating Glyphosate Health Effects in the US

Ferraro et al (2025), Do Norms of Cooperation Mediate the Effectiveness of Social Appeals? A Pilot Study of Pesticide Resistance and Agricultural Drainage Management

Extension Publications & Grey Lit.

Ferraro et al (2025), Yield and Profit Impacts of Planting Non-Bt Corn Refuge in North Carolina. NC State Economist

Ferraro et al (2025), adapting to Saltwater Intrusion: Profitability of Salt-Tolerant Soybeans in Eastern North Carolina. NC State Economist

Rees et al (2020) The Toxic Truth: Children’s Exposure to Lead Pollution Undermines a Generation of Future Potential

Other Noteworthy Positions

Graduate Research Assistant (2021–2026):
Supported multiple agricultural and environmental projects on integrated pest management and herbicide use, agricultural field experiments and trials, and agricultural extension publications. Designed and executed research and created public-facing tools to assist farmer pest management decisions. Supported peer-review quality behavioral economic experiments across Eastern North Carolina.

Fulbright Public Policy Scholar, Cote d'Ivoire (2021):
Worked with NGO INADES in Cote d'Ivoire. Supported survey and data analytics, as well as research collection methods. Participated in multiple field surveys on agricultural development and land ownership, including leading a field team for a major survey on post-civil war land tenure.

Intern (2018–2019) and Analyst (2020–2021), PureEarth, NY:
Supported research publications via econometric analysis and data management. Built web applications for dissemination. Managed research teams for a global meta-analysis on blood lead levels. Contributed to systematic reviews on lead pollution and authored research on livestock lead exposure in India.

Intern, Fordham Bedford Housing Company (2018–2020):
Supported property management and administrative operations, including financial documentation and tenant engagement. Served low-income and underserved communities.

Program Assistant, Siemens Healthineers (2017–2018):
Supported sales-related projects for large medical equipment. Managed marketing metrics and digital website assets.

Field Research Manager, ETS Haiti, Port-au-Prince (2016–2017):
Managed staff and operations for an education NGO. Taught monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Supported visiting researchers, including a national study on UN base impacts. Led logistics for a 12-person research team collecting data from ~2,500 participants.

Peace Corps Volunteer, Cameroon (2014–2016):
Conducted community needs assessments and developed projects including agriculture, small enterprise, and health initiatives. Collaborated with diverse community groups and delivered training and education programs.