Featured Person Profiles

Faculty

  • Aselia Urmanbetova

    Degree:  M.S. in International Relations, M.S. in Economics, and Ph.D. in Public Policy from Georgia Tech
    Current Job:  Academic Professional

    Dr. U advises the GT Econ Club, adapts open source textbooks, and helps students learn to be kinder to themselves and others when things get "messy and tough."

  • Christine Ries

    Degree:  Ph.D. in International Business Economics from The University of Chicago
    Current Job:  Professor of Economics

    After spending decades in business schools, Professor Ries says she came to Georgia Tech because "I saw the coming developments in economics as happening when economists confronted problems in innovation and technology."

  • Cici McNamara

    Degree:  Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Current Job:  Assistant Professor

    Assistant Professor Cici McNamara researches how policies influence the demand and supply of health care and the impacts changes have on market and patient outcomes. In her free time, she loves going out to movies at Atlanta's many theaters.

  • Dylan Brewer

    Degree:  Ph.D. in Economics and Environmental Science & Policy, Michigan State University
    Current Job:  Assistant Professor in the School of Economics

    Assistant Professor Dylan Brewer uses insights from economics to improve environmental outcomes. In his research, he asks: 'How can we turn the environment into an asset?'

  • Karen Yan

    Degree:  Ph.D., Texas A&M University
    Current Job:  Assistant Professor in the School of Economics

    Assistant Professor Karen Yan shares her inspiration for pursuing economics, her advice for students interested in the field, and much more.

  • Maxwell Rosenthal

    Degree:  M.S. in Economics from the University of Colorado, Denver, Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Arizona
    Current Job:  Assistant Professor

    Assistant Professor Max Rosenthal seeks bridge the gap between theory and data in microeconomics. When he's not working, he loves to ski and explore the mountains in his home state of Colorado.

  • Mayra Pineda-Torres

    Degree:  Ph.D. in Economics, Texas A&M University
    Current Job:  Assistant Professor

    Assistant Professor Mayra Pineda-Torres researches topics related to women's and teenagers' welfare, such as the health and economic implications of access to reproductive healthcare.

  • Olga Shemyakina

    Degree:  Ph.D., University of Southern California
    Current Job:  Associate Professor and Director of Doctoral Programs

    An award-winning educator whose research explores the short- and long-term effects of armed conflict on the health and education of children, subjective well-being, migration, marriage, and labor market outcomes.

  • Patrick McCarthy

    Degree:  Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University
    Current Job:  Former School of Economics Professor & Chair

    After nearly 20 years at Georgia Tech and an academic career of more than 44 years, McCarthy is retiring. “For me, this is simply a transition,” McCarthy said. “I view this as something similar to a ‘commencement.’

Student

  • Ben Harrison

    Degree:  Third-year economics major with a certificate in finance

    Third-year econ major & Econ Club President Benjamin Harrison shares why he studies economics and how he hopes to use it to change the world.

  • Cade Lawson

    Degree:  B.S. Economics, Minor in Computational Data Analysis

    Cade chose Georgia Tech because he was excited for the opportunity to be a part of the next wave of economists and social science researchers who are finding new ways to infuse the data-driven technologies of the past decade.

  • Denis Schwirtz

    Degree:  Fifth-year economics and industrial engineering major

    Fifth-year student Denis Schwirtz shares why he chose to study economics, how he overcame challenges as an international student, and what he hopes to do with his degrees after graduation.

  • Jacob Aguirre

    Degree:  B.S. in Economics and B.S. in Mathematics

    Undergraduate student Jacob Aguirre is completing a dual degree in economics and mathematics in only two and a half years! In his student profile, he shares the importance of getting involved on campus and what he plans to do in the future.

  • Kaylin Berinhout

    Degree:  B.S. in Economics & International Affairs

    Kaylin wants to create an economic reform in the fields of the future, specifically in the intersection of the climate crisis, social enterprise, and income inequality.

  • Nupur Kothari

    Degree:  MS in Economics

    Nupur Kothari hopes to use her MS in Economics to work at an impact investment/impact consulting firm and help channel capital to social entrepreneurs in grassroots organizations.

  • Rupkatha Banerjee

    Degree:  B.S. in Economics, B.S. in Mathematics

    President of the GT ODE economics honor society, Rupkatha Banerjee, reflects on her experience in the School of Economics and shares her advice for new students and goals for the future.

  • Sarah Tinsley

    Degree:  B.S. Economics, Minor in Spanish

    Sarah hails from Dawsonville, Georgia, and chose Georgia Tech because of its reputation as one of the top universities in the nation. Sarah sought the opportunity to immerse herself in STEM courses and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects.

Alumni

  • Alex Henke

    Degree:  B.S. Economics and International Affairs 2011
    Current Job:  Head of Commercial Operations at Speakap in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    2011 graduate Alex Henke is the head of commercial operations at Speakap in Amsterdam. She shares how she helps businesses scale and grow and what she learned from moving her career to the Netherlands.

  • Ayo Aladesanmi

    Degree:  B.S. in Economics 2019, Minor in Public Policy, and Certificate in Finance

    Ayo Aladesanmi (BS ECON ’19) shares his passion for public service and his best advice for students and alumni interested in pursuing a career in the field.

  • Candice Sessa

    Degree:  M.S. Economics, 2019
    Current Job:  Research Associate, Health Economics and Analytics Lab

  • Chaunte Lowe

    Degree:  B.S. Economics, 2008
    Current Job:  4 Time Olympian and American Record Holder | U.S. Olympic Team

    School of Economics Alumna Makes GT's First Ever 40 under 40 List! Chaunte Lowe is a 4 time Olympian and currently holds the American Record in the women's high jump.

  • Jonathan Samon

    Degree:  B.S. Economics, 2001
    Current Job:  General Counsel for eProdigy Financial, LLC

    Jonathan Samon graduated with his B.S. in Economics in 2001 and now serves as General Counsel for eProdigy Financial, LLC, which is involved in alternative finance for small businesses. 

  • Matthew Miller

    Degree:  BS in Economics '08
    Current Job:  Allstate Insurance Corporation, Chicago, IL 

    '08 alum and new BASE member Matthew Miller shares how he found his job as a Finance Director at Allstate and why he's passionate about the work.

  • Nicholas Pinto

    Degree:  B.S. Economics, B.S. Mathematics 2019

  • Sebastian Urbina

    Degree:  BS ISYE & BS Econ 2004, MS IE 2006
    Current Job:  Vice President - Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science Team at Genpact, Costa Rica

    '04 Econ alum Sebastian Urbina shares what he's learned from his experience as Vice President of the AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science Team at Genpact Costa Rica and his work in Costa Rican politics.

  • Shehryar Rashid

    Degree:  M.S. in Economics, 2009
    Current Job:  Field Coordinator at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in South Sudan

    Shehryar Rashid is a field coordinator at the International Organization for Migration in South Sudan, where he supports the establishment, construction, and promotion of sustainable community infrastructure and services.

  • Stefan Santavicca

    Degree:  M.S. Economics, 2019
    Current Job:  Research Associate, Health Economics and Analytics Lab

  • Stephanie Moody

    Degree:  B.S. in Global Economics and Modern Languages
    Current Job:  Project Manager, RMO Team for Project Compass at Warner Bros. Discovery, Founder & CEO of Rue’s Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc in Atlanta, GA and the North GA mountains.

    In her spare time away from her work as a project manager at Warner Bros. Discovery, this Econ alum runs an animal rescue she founded with her husband in the North Georgia mountains. 

  • Vernon O'Neal

    Degree:  B.S. Economics
    Current Job:  Senior Vice President at USI Insurance Services in Atlanta

    Meet Vernon O'Neal, the 2023 School of Economics Distinguished Alumni Award recipient!

  • Wendy Horton McLeod

    Degree:  BS INTA 1994, MS ECON 1996
    Current Job:  Cox Communications in Atlanta, GA

    As the Chair of the Board of Advisors for the School of Economics (BASE), Wendy says her goal is to encourage more interaction between alumni, faculty, and current students.

  • Xinying Lin

    Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Global Economics and Modern Languages (GEML), Master of Science in Global Media and Cultures
    Current Job:  Associate Project Manager at the Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute

    Xinying Lin has a B.S. in GEML and an M.S. in Global Media and Cultures. Through her time at Ivan Allen College, “I learned to be a global citizen, which helped me broaden my views, be less biased, and be more creative with my career,” Lin said.