AG ECON Graduate Student SPOTLIGHTS
Learn more about our graduate students in their own words. We asked M.S. and Ph.D. graduate students to share their path to Purdue as well as their experiences in AgEcon's graduate programs. We hope their profiles will give you insight into what it is like to be a graduate student in Purdue's Department of Agricultural Economics.
Lorenzo Alegria
M.S. Student (Agricultural Economics)
A Journey of Resilience and Rediscovery
“Make sure you’re not defaulting to a graduate degree; you shouldn’t be indifferent about attending. You may earn the degree and perform admirably in the end, but you won’t enjoy your time, and I believe enjoyment is what this is all about. If that means getting a job after undergrad and then returning for a graduate degree, then I think that’s fine. Don’t feel like you need to continue studying just because you don’t know what else you’ll do.”
Koustuv Saha
Ph.D. Student (Agricultural Economics)
From Kolkata to Purdue: a Journey to Uncover Gender Inequities in Agriculture
“Agricultural economics offers diverse research opportunities. It’s helpful to find a topic that genuinely interests and motivates you. A Ph.D. can be long and challenging, but having a passion for your research topic makes the journey much more fulfilling.”
Dewey J. Robertson
M.S. Student (Agricultural Economics)
Connecting Local Agriculture to Global Trade
“Look at the work put out by people in our department/field. Agricultural economics is a large field with many interesting and impactful subfields. Most people are interested and motivated to work on issues they don’t realize are part of our field of study.”
Emma Donnelly
Ph.D. Student (Agricultural Economics)
DIVERSE ACADEMIC JOURNEY EQUIPS PURDUE PH.D. STUDENT TO INFLUENCE POLICY MAKERS
Rachel Zhang
M.S. Student (AgEcon); Ph.D. Student (Hospitality and Tourism Management)
Connections, Referrals, Endorsements. Student harnesses the power of LinkedIn to land an internship with Zillow
Nina Jovanovic
Ph.D. Graduate
A LITTLE LUCK, A COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIP, AND A SOLID RECOMMENDATION, LED SERBIAN NATIVE TO STUDY AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AT PURDUE
Diamilatou Kane
Ph.D. Student
Diamilatou Kane is conducting field research to better understand food safety and consumer behavior in Senegal
Rebekah Olukayode
M.S. Student
Nationwide Insurance internship gives Purdue student wealth of valuable insights
Gloria Lenfestey
M.S. Student
GRADUATE STUDENT TRAVELS ABROAD TO EXPLORE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND POLICY
Alejandra Armesto Gómez
M.S. Student
Graduate researcher finds her perfect fit in the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
Hari Regmi
Ph.D. Student
A UNIQUE JOURNEY, GRADUATE STUDENT STAYS DEDICATED TO HIS GOALS
Emily Forsythe
M.S. Student
Estimating the value of natural and environmental resources
Lauren Benavidez
Ph.D. Student
INTEREST IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE RESEARCH LEADS GRADUATE STUDENT TO PURDUE’S CENTER FOR GLOBAL TRADE ANALYSIS
Margaret Lippsmeyer
M.S. Student
PURDUE STUDENT EAGER TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN AGRICULTURE
Eugene Kwaku Mawutor Nuworsu
Ph.D. Student
Opportunity to research the food industry and consumer behavior attracts student to Purdue’s Agricultural Economics Ph.D. program
Victoria Dell
M.S. Student
ASSISTANTSHIP PROVIDES GRADUATE STUDENT WITH NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND ‘BEHIND THE SCENES’ LOOK AT COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION
Chad Fiechter
Ph.D. Student
DESIRE FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURAL FINANCE LEADS ALUMNUS (AND INCOMING FACULTY MEMBER) BACK TO PURDUE
Yizhou Hua
Ph.D. Student
SEEKING BROAD, RIGOROUS TRAINING IN AGRICULTURE LED STUDENT TO DISCOVER OPPORTUNITIES AT PURDUE
Maria Berikou
M.S. Student
CAREER PROFESSIONAL TAKES LEAP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC TO STUDY AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
MARIA'S STORY
Alex Robinson
M.S. Student
CAPITALIZING ON OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT WITH PROFESSIONALS ACROSS AGRICULTURE
Alecia Evans
Ph.D. Student
Rebellious and passionate, Alecia Evans paved her own path to studying agricultural economics
Fei Qin
Ph.D. Student
Field experiments and visiting scholar opportunity stirs student's interest in studying agricultural economics
Mati Mohammadi
Ph.D. Student
Assistantship opens a window of opportunities for agribusiness student
Mario Ortez
PhD Student
Mario’s bond with agriculture was rooted at birth; his passion for agribusiness is cultivating his future
Hailey Utech
MS Student
Analytically driven, Hailey Utech is being challenged to look at data differently.
Pedro Antonio Díaz Cachay
MS Student
Deferred enrollment gives graduate student extra time to help his own students improve their English language skills
Megan Hughes
PhD Student
Motivated and involved, AAEA GSS chair-elect Megan Hughes discusses many opportunities available in Ag Econ
Manuel Jimenez
Ph.D. Student
A research focus on maritime shipping gives Manuel a unique perspective into recent supply chain disruptions.
Zack Neuhofer
PhD Student