About
Economics for real-world health decisions
I am a health and behavioural economist focused on identifying scalable interventions to improve public health and health equity.
I am a Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Otago, where I teach Health Economics and Game Theory. My work uses randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental methods, laboratory experiments, and administrative data to generate evidence that can inform policy and practice.
Before joining Otago in 2025, I was a Research Assistant Professor at the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. I worked extensively on health programmes involving American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including NIH-funded research on COVID-19, food security, hypertension management, testing access, and the economic consequences of illness.
I received my PhD in Behavioural Economics from the University of California San Diego and my BA in Economics from Pomona College. My work has appeared in journals including Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Archives of Public Health, Public Health Reports, and Alzheimer's & Dementia.
I received the University of Otago Business School's 2025 Outstanding Early Career Researcher award. Outside work, I am an avid home brewer, cook, and fermenter.
Focus areas
Research interests
Public health and health equity
Interventions and policies affecting health, healthcare access, and social determinants of health.
Indigenous health
Community-engaged research with extensive experience in American Indian and Alaska Native health.
Healthy ageing and behaviour
Decision-making, communicable disease, dementia, ageing, incentives, and behaviour under stress.
