Fourth year
504 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: macroeconomics, time-series forecasting, machine learning, international finance

Gabriel Appau Abeyie is a Ph.D. candidate in economics who specializes in using text data to forecast and analyze macroeconomic variables through advanced machine learning and natural language processing techniques. He also explores various macroeconomic methods for policy analysis and forecasting purposes. Beyond his research endeavors, Gabriel has taught courses in statistics, macroeconomics and applied econometrics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics from the University of Ghana and a master’s degree in economics and decision science from the University of North Texas. In his free time, Gabriel enjoys watching sports, specifically soccer and basketball. He also enjoys playing ping-pong and cherishing moments with family and friends.

Personal Website

Email: gabeyie@vols.utk.edu

Fifth year
506 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: environmental economics, international economics

Ivan Anich grew up in Chicago and lived in Colorado for 10 years. He entered graduate school to study the spread of renewable energy. He enjoys the challenge of doing research and aspires to make a difference in the spread of renewable energy. In his free time, he enjoys salsa dancing.

Email: ianich@vols.utk.edu

Fifth year
533 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: sustainable economic development

Prubesh Balgobin’s journey to UT began with a desire to contribute positively, constructively and sustainably to questions of economics development. He is especially interested in development questions related to his home island, Mauritius, and the relationship between the economics of man and nature. He first graduated from St. Joseph College in Mauritius as a science major. A love for numbers and nature led to a completion of a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and master's degrees in international finance and professional accounting from Deakin University in Australia. He enjoys being in nature and learning the sciences of Indigenous cultures around the planet. He has worked as a tutor and as a trader of commodities and futures. He looks forward to working with industry or government on multidisciplinary projects that are sustainable and beneficial for the welfare and continuation of our civilization.

Email: pbalgobi@vols.utk.edu

Third year
536 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: economic forecasting, international trade

Halima Begum worked as a central banker, and her experience in banking motivated her to pursue a Ph.D. in economics. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in statistics, as well as an MBA in finance.

Email: hbegum1@vols.utk.edu

First year
505 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: behavioral economics, political economics

Fernanda Carriedo is a Ph.D. student in economics at the University of Tennessee, driven by her deep passion for the subject. Her academic journey started at Salisbury University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in economics, accompanied by a minor in mathematics. Fernanda's love for economics was ignited during her first undergraduate class in microeconomics, leaving a mark on her academic path. She aspires to conduct meaningful research that can positively impact her community and her homeland, Mexico.  Beyond academia, Fernanda finds comfort in the company of her beloved pet bunny, Buggsy. She also enjoys an active lifestyle, with a passion for running, hiking in the Smoky Mountains and exploring Knoxville.

Email: mcarried@vols.utk.edu

First year
505 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: firm dynamics, growth and development

João Cavalcanti earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from the Federal University of Pernambuco. After that, he worked as a research assistant at the Brazilian National Institute of Applied Economic Research. He loves everything related to sports. He also loves to hang out with friends and family.

Email: jcavalca@vols.utk.edu

Third year
536 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: health economics, environmental economics, labor economics

Debanjali Dasgupta completed her undergraduate coursework in economics from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, India, and her master’s in economics from TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, India. Prior to starting her Ph.D. in economics, she worked as a research assistant at TERI School of Advanced Studies and at Ipsos, a multinational market research organization for various health policy projects that focus on barriers to accessing healthcare services in India. Her current research interests focus on maternal and child health. Outside academics, she is interested in art and music.

Email: ddasgup2@vols.utk.edu

Third year
504 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: labor economics, discrimination

Trinity’s Douglass received a bachelor's degree in public health from the University of Washington and a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Tennessee. She enjoys hiking, trail running and mountain biking.

Email: tdougl18@vols.utk.edu

Third year
721 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: education economics, health economics
Linnea Endersby graduated from Seton Hall University with a bachelor's degree in economics.

Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Email: lendersb@vols.utk.edu

Fifth year
506 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: migration, health economics, education economics

Lucas Nogueira Garcez has a law degree and experience with software development. He believes that there is a lot of unexplored data from courts, notaries and other public agencies out there waiting to be used. He enjoys nature, cycling and kayaking. He is also a big fan of classic rock, electronic music, board games and Lord of the Rings.

Email: lnoguei1@vols.utk.edu

Second year
533 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: intersection of addiction, health and economic policy

Kaden Grace is an economics Ph.D. student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His work is deeply rooted in a desire to make a difference for those less fortunate. Outside of his academic pursuits, Kaden excels as a scuba instructor, sharing his love for the underwater world. Kaden also enjoys poker and fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains. He holds degrees in mathematics and economics from Ole Miss.

Email: kgrace7@vols.utk.edu

Second year
720A Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: health economics, family economics

Lucas Chaves Gurgel is from Brazil. He graduated in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Ceara. After working in the field for a while, he obtained a master’s degree in economics at the same university. He is married and is the proud father of one boy and three girls. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading and surfing.

Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Email: lchavesg@vols.utk.edu

First year
505 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: theoretical microeconomics

Bowen Jiang is a first-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Economics at the University of Tennessee. He graduated from Liaoning University, China, with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics. He also earned a master's degree in agriculture economics from the University of Tennessee. Before joining the program, his research area focused on the effects of trade policy on international trade. In his free time, he likes to go to the gym and skateboard.

Email: bjiang12@vols.utk.edu

Third year
536 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: environmental economics, education economics, labor economics

Xin Jin earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Zhengzhou University in China and pursued an M.S. in mathematics at the University of West Florida. Her current research focuses on the link between air pollution and students’ education outcomes. Outside the academic realm, Xin finds joy in hiking and playing tennis. She has a genuine love for nature and believes in the relaxing power of spending time outdoors.

Email: xjin11@vols.utk.edu

First year
505 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: international trade, environmental economics

Pengzhen Li holds a master's degree in finance from Shandong University and a bachelor's degree in economics from Tongji University. At Shandong, his research was related to the impact of green technology innovations on CO2 emissions. After his master's, he served as a graduate research assistant at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) for two years. During that time, his research centered on designing the supply chains for sustainable aviation fuels from forest residues in the southeastern United States using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models. In his spare time, he enjoys playing ping-pong and badminton.

Email: pli6@vols.utk.edu

Second year
533 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: industrial organization, urban economics, international economics

Johnathan Paul Lynn graduated from Augusta University, in his hometown of Augusta, GA, with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and minor in economics. He also earned a master’s in economics from Georgia State University. He loves hiking, sports and cooking out with friends and family.

Email: jlynn15@vols.utk.edu

Second year
533 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: environmental economics, resource economics

Trenton Marable graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering, minoring in economics and mathematics. His research interests align closely with his personal interests — cycling, hiking and camping. Trenton completed the entire Continental Divide Trail on a bicycle.

Email: tmarable@vols.utk.edu

Fifth year
720A Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: labor economics, development economics, education economics

Diego Guerrero Medina is an applied microeconomist focused on policy-relevant issues in public economics and poverty alleviation. He has collaborated with local, state and national governments in the U.S. and abroad. His dissertation examines the economics of federal programs and their impact on households, businesses and government. His job market paper analyzes the intergenerational effect of the Earned Income Tax Credit on the adult income of eligible children. He has over eight years of teaching experience and is interested in teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses.

Personal Website

Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Email: dguerre4@vols.utk.edu

Second year
533 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: industrial organization, energy economics, environmental economics

Prior to studying at the University of Tennessee, Connor Neff earned a B.A. in economics and statistics from the University of Florida. He also has professional experience in data analyst roles in the insurance, finance and consumer packaged goods industries. 
Outside of economics, Connor enjoys spending time outside. He's a passionate rock climber who has spent time guiding in the Southeast and climbing around the world. He also enjoys live music, great food and traveling.

Email: cneff6@vols.utk.edu

Second year
533 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: international trade, applied microeconomics

Deng Pan is from Fujian, China. He completed his undergraduate degree in economics at Fengchia University in Taiwan. Subsequently, he earned a master’s degree in finance at American University in Washington, D.C. After completing his master's, he interned with Heyu Real Estate Company in Fujian.

Email: dpan4@vols.utk.edu

Third year
506 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: public economics, international trade, environmental economics

Prabuddha Prakash graduated with a master’s degree in economics from Delhi School of Economics, India. He has a penchant for applied microeconomics, and his goal is to provide empirical evidence to policymakers.

Email: pprakas1A@vols.utk.edu

Second year
533 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: labor economics, economic growth, consumption, investment

Nohemi Torress Salazar graduated from Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM) with a bachelor's degree in economics. She enjoys indoor cycling, playing guitar and hanging out with her friends and family.

Email: ntorress@vols.utk.edu

First year
505 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: applied microeconomics, econometrics

Amrit Shrestha has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University and a master’s in agricultural and resource economics from Herbert College of Agriculture, University of Tennessee. Other than studying he likes to go hiking and playing soccer.

Email: ashrest3@vols.utk.edu

Fourth year 721 Stokely Management Center Fields of Interest: applied microeconomics, state/local public finance Before coming to the University of Tennessee, Alannah Shute worked as a research assistant at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. She graduated from Simmons University in 2019 with a B.S. in economics and mathematics. Her personal interests include baking and visiting craft breweries.

Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Email: ashute@vols.utk.edu

First year
505 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: industrial organization, behavioral economics, public finance

Benjamin Sprayberry is from the Chattanooga area. He discovered his predisposition toward economics during the National Academic Decathlon in high school and earned a gold medal in economics. He later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mercer University in Macon, GA, where he also minored in finance and took a paid internship in purchasing with the Blue Bird Corporation. He enjoys strategic games of all kinds (particularly those he can play with others), hiking and spending time with close friends and family.

Email: bspraybe@vols.utk.edu

Fourth year
528 Stokely Management Center

Fields of Interest: environmental economics, behavioral economics, experimental economics

Ryan Swartzentruber earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics from Eastern Mennonite University and his master's degree in natural resource economics from Colorado State University. During his master's degree, he studied the economic impact of conservation easements in Colorado. He enjoys working with nontraditional data, which has broadened his understanding of how to utilize data effectively. He also enjoys teaching environmental economics and other core economics courses at the University of Tennessee. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, hiking in the mountains or any other excuse to spend time outside with his spouse. Ryan has completed the entire Continental Divide Trail on a bicycle.

Email: rswartz1@vols.utk.edu

Third year 536 Stokely Management Center Fields of Interest: tax policy impact, fair division mechanisms, game theory Thomas Verville is a Ph.D. student at the University of Tennessee. His academic journey began at Kalamazoo College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. After working for a few years, he completed his master’s degree in applied economics at Western Michigan University. In his free time, Thomas enjoys golfing and playing guitar. Most of his time is spent either playing fetch with his dog or pampering his two cats.

Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Email: tvervill@vols.utk.edu