Graduate Students
If you have questions about our graduate program or our current job market candidates, contact us.
Graduate Director:
Georg Schaur
865-974-1710
gschaur@utk.edu
Graduate Program Assistant:
Sherri Pinkston
865-974-1687
spinksto@utk.edu

Gabriel Appau Abeyie
504 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Applied Econometrics
I graduated in economics and statistics from the University of Ghana. I completed my master’s degree in economics and decision science from the University of North Texas, Denton. My research interests include macroeconomics and international finance. Personal Website
Email: gabeyie@vols.utk.edu

Ivan Peter Anich
506 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Environmental & International Economics
I grew up in Chicago and lived in Colorado for 10 years. I entered graduate school wanting to study the spread of renewable energy and I am working toward making that a reality. My specializations are in environmental economics and international economics. I enjoy the challenge of doing research and I aspire to make a difference in the spread of renewable energy.
Email: ianich@vols.utk.edu

Halima Begum
536 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Finance and Statistics
Working as a central banker motivated me to pursue a Ph.D. in economics. I have both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in statistics, as well as an MBA in finance. My primary research interests are economic forecasting and international trade.
Email: hbegum1@vols.utk.edu

Maria Fernanda Carriedo
501 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Environmental Economics, Behavioral and Experimental Economics, Public Economics
I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in economics at Salisbury University.
Email: mcarried@vols.utk.edu

Joao Pedro Cavalcanti
501 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Firm Dynamics, Growth and Development
I got my bachelor's and my master's degree in economics from the Federal University of Pernambuco. After that, I worked as a research assistant at the Brazilian National Institute of Applied Economic Research.
I love sports and everything related to it. I also love to hang out with friends and family.
Email: jcavalca@vols.utk.edu

Debanjali Dasgupta
536 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics
I graduated in economics from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, India. I completed my master’s degree in economics from TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, India. My research Interests include health, environmental and labor economics.
Email: ddasgup2@vols.utk.edu

Trinity Douglass
504 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Agricultural Economics and Public Health
My research interests include labor and discrimination. I 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. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, trail running and mountain biking.
Email: tdougl18@vols.utk.edu

Linnea Endersby
721 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics
My research interests include the economics of education and health. I graduated from Seton Hall University with a bachelor's degree in economics.
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Email: lendersb@vols.utk.edu

Lucas Garcez
506 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Law & Economics
I work with applied micro topics such as migration, health and education. I have a law degree and experience with software development, so I love interdisciplinary work. I am always up for discussing "unusual" research ideas (as long as they can be IRB approved). I believe there is a lot of unexplored data from courts, notaries and other public agencies out there waiting to be used. I love nature, cycling and kayaking and I am a big fan of classic rock, electronic music, board games and Lord of the Rings. If you want to talk about any of these topics, don't hesitate to send me an email.
Email: lnoguei1@vols.utk.edu

Kaden Grace
533 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics
After graduating with degrees in economics and mathematics from Ole Miss, I have settled in for a new adventure in Knoxville. My research is driven by a passion to give back and help those less fortunate. I am interested in consumer finance, health and education economics. I enjoy scuba diving, fly-fishing and riding my motorcycle.
Email: kgrace7@vols.utk.edu

Diego Guerrero
721 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Labor Economics and Public Economics
I hold a B.A. in liberal studies from the Metropolitan University, Caracas, Venezuela, and M.S. in applied economics from St. Cloud State University.
I am an applied microeconomist focused on public economics, development economics and political economy. My research analyzes the impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit on human capital, labor markets and family dynamics. Personal Website
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Email: dguerre4@vols.utk.edu

Lucas Chaves Gurgel
533 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Behavioral & Experimental Economics and Industrial Organization
I am Lucas Gurgel, from Brazil. I graduated in electrical engineering at the Federal University of Ceará and worked for a while in the field. Later, I got my master’s degree in economics at the same university. I am currently in the second year of my Ph.D. program in economics. My interests are health economics and family economics. Outside of school, I usually spend time with my family, read and (used to) surf.
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Email: lchavesg@vols.utk.edu

Bowen Jiang
501 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Microeconomics Theory
I graduated from Liaoning University, China, with a major in economics. I also earned a master's degree in agriculture economics from the University of Tennessee.
Email: bjiang12@vols.utk.edu

Xin Jin
536 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Applied Economics Mathematical Science
I graduated from Zhengzhou University, China, with a bachelor's and a master's degree in economics. I also completed my master’s in mathematics from the University of West Florida. My research interests include environmental, education and labor economics.
Email: xjin11@vols.utk.edu

Pengzhen Li
501 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Trade and Environmental Economics
I graduated from Tongji University, China, with a bachelor's degree in economics. After that, I got my master’s degree in finance from Shandong University, China.
Email: pli6@vols.utk.edu

Prubesh Lutchmunsing Balgobin
533 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Environmental & Animal Welfare Economics and Public Finance
A desire to contribute positively, constructively and sustainably to the development of the island where I originate guided me to the study of the relationship between the economics of man and nature. I 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. I enjoy being in nature and learning the sciences of Indigenous cultures around the planet.
Email: pbalgobi@vols.utk.edu

Johnathan Paul Lynn
533 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics
I graduated from Augusta University in my hometown of Augusta, Georgia, with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and minor in economics, and received my master’s in economics from Georgia State University. My research interests are in industrial organization, urban economics and international economics. I love hiking, sports and cooking out with friends and family.
Email: jlynn15@vols.utk.edu

Trenton Marable
536 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Civil and Environmental Engineering
After graduating from Mississippi State University with a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering with minors in economics and mathematics, I have returned to my home state. Leaning into my background, I am primarily interested in environmental and resource economics. My research interests align closely with my personal interests — I enjoy cycling, hiking and camping.
Email: tmarable@vols.utk.edu

Connor Neff
533 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics and Statistics
I graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in economics and statistics. My primary interests are in environmental/resource and health economics. I spend my time outside of graduate school rock climbing, traveling and enjoying live music.
Email: cneff6@vols.utk.edu

Deng Pan
533 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics and Finance
My research interests include international trade and experimental economics. I graduated from American University with a master's degree in finance. I also completed my bachelor’s degree in economics at Feng Chia University, Taiwan. I love playing basketball and Texas hold 'em.
Email: dpan4@vols.utk.edu

Prabuddha Prakash
506 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Labor, Health, Public, and Environmental Economics
I graduated with a master’s degree in economics from Delhi School of Economics, India. Having a penchant for applied micro, I love exploring any topic at the intersection of public, international trade and environmental economics. My goal is to provide empirical evidence to policy makers.
Email: pprakas1A@vols.utk.edu

Amrit Shrestha
501 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Applied Microeconomics and Econometrics.
I have a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University and masters in agricultural and resource economics from Herbert College of Agriculture, University of Tennessee. Other than studying I like to go hiking and playing soccer.
Email: ashrest3@vols.utk.edu

Alannah Shute
721 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Public Finance, Urban and Regional Economics
My research interests include various topics in applied microeconomics, with a primary focus on state and local public finance. Before coming to the University of Tennessee, I worked as a research assistant at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. I graduated from Simmons University in 2019 with a B.S. in economics and mathematics. My personal interests include baking and visiting craft breweries.
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Email: ashute@vols.utk.edu

Benjamin Sprayberry
501 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Industrial Organization, Labor Economics and Behavioral Economics.
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mercer University, although I am originally from the Chattanooga area. Beyond work, I enjoy all kinds of games, particularly strategic ones, and hiking, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Email: bspraybe@vols.utk.edu

Ryan Swartzentruber
528 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Environmental, Public
I earned my bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics from Eastern Mennonite University and my master's degree in natural resource economics from Colorado State University. My research focuses on environmental economic issues with interest in behavioral and experimental economics. In my free time, I enjoy mountain biking, hiking or any other excuse to spend time outside with my spouse.
Email: rswartz1@vols.utk.edu

Nohemi Torres Salazar
533 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics
I graduated from Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM) with a bachelor's degree in economics. I'm interested in economic growth, its interactions with consumption and investment, and labor economics. I enjoy indoor cycling, playing guitar and hanging out with my friends and family.
Email: ntorress@vols.utk.edu

Thomas Verville
536 Stokely Management Center
Fields of Interest: Economics and Spanish
My research interests include international trade and industrial organization. I graduated from Western Michigan University with a master's degree in economics. I also completed my bachelor's degree in economics and Spanish at Kalamazoo College. I love playing golf and spending time with my family.
Email: tvervill@vols.utk.edu