About me
I have been a social science researcher for over a decade, focusing on the relationship between sustainability and development. My research looks at how humans use and manage natural resources, the environmental effects of their actions, and how this can lead to depletion, climate crisis, and their repercussions on society. My background in environmental studies and economics has given me a comprehensive outlook. I use various quantitative methods, such as causal inference, experimental and quasi-experimental approaches, and surveys to study incentives, behaviors, practices, and institutions. I have been part of multidisciplinary teams, which has allowed me to collaborate with stakeholders from academia, policymakers, businesses, and communities.
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Education
Ph.D. in Economics (2020), Los Andes University
M.Sc. in Economics (2018), Los Andes University
M.Sc. in Economics (2013). Pontifical Xaverian University
B.Sc. Environmental Studies (2007) Technological University of Pereira
2020-2023. Postdoctoral Researcher. Social Sciences Department. Wageningen University & Research. Wageningen, Netherlands.
2018-2020. Adjunct Researcher. Center for Development Studies (CEDE), Los Andes University. Bogotá, Colombia.
2014-2020 Ph.D. at the School of Economics at Los Andes University.
2018. Visiting researcher. School of sustainability. Arizona State University-ASU. Tempe (AZ)
2007-2014. Associate consultant. Water and Sanitation Research Group (GIAS). Technological University of Pereira, Colombia.
Previous appointments
Recent Projects
Carbon banking for small farmers in low-income countries.
We assess the impact of emerging carbon credit markets on livelihoods, farm management, and environmental outcomes for coffee farmers in Tanzania. Smallholders receive payments for the carbon fixed by trees in their plots, credits that are auctioned for companies to offset their impact. To do so, we evaluate an ongoing pilot using quasi-experimental techniques to measure short-term effects and design and evaluate a randomized control study conducted to study long-term effects. Work joint with Erwin Bulte and Gerald Lesseri (Wageningen University). Funded by Rabobank.
The effect of information transfer on food waste management in tourism firms: evidence from a field experiment in Cusco, Peru.
We design, implement, and evaluate the impacts of adopting management innovations on small and medium-sized restaurants to reduce food waste generation. Work joint with Cesar del Pozo and Francisco Alpizar (Wageningen University). Funded by Interamerican Development Bank.
Food Loop Lab
Joint with Joana Wensing, Daniel Polman, and Stephanie Begemann from Wageningen University, we work on interdisciplinary research ideas about the transition toward sustainable and circular food systems from different value chain links. We analyze and discuss the challenges from various social sciences perspectives and address them.
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Citizens' support for policy bundles in the transition to circular food systems. Using choice experiments to determine the willingness to support complex set policies instead of simple options.
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How does the social environment affect sustainable food behaviors? We study plant-based protein choices and how the environment and social norms, values, accessibility, affordability, and physical places, play a role in individuals' decision-making. We use an Ecological Momentary Assessment, in which we follow a sample of participants for 15 days collecting data in real-time about what they eat and information about the environment.
