Watching my father, an asylum-seeking immigrant, lead our family out of poverty, made for a transforming childhood. That personal history drew me to the study, research, and teaching of economics.

I am an Assistant Professor of Economics at Northern Michigan University, where I am also a fellow at the Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship. In 2020, I finished my PhD in economics at George Mason University, as a Mercatus fellow.  I also have a master’s degree in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University. I have worked as a research economist at the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Prior to that, I worked 4 years in the applied statistics and economics branch at Summit Consulting. I also draw on professional experience as an entrepreneur, a musician, a “Kibbutznik”, and a controller.