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Research Interests

My research focuses on using a suite of tools from economics and neuroscience to understand how people value goods that can benefit others. I've also become interested in exploring some questions about addictive substances and the phenotypic markers of addiction.

Collaboration

I work in Paul Glimcher's neuroeconomics lab at the NYU Center for Neuroeconomics . As a graduate student at the University of Oregon I worked in the R.F. Mikesell Environmental Economics Lab with Trudy Ann Cameron, Ryan Bosworth, and Erica Johnson. I also worked in the nanonomics fMRI research laboratory with Bill Harbaugh, and Ulrich Mayr. When I started studying at the U of O I worked at the Oregon Survey Research Lab (OSRL) with (Professor of Sociology) Patty Gwartney.

Papers

"Neural Responses to Taxation and Voluntary Giving Reveal Motives for Charitable Donations," with William T. Harbaugh and Ulrich Mayr. Science, 2007. Paper.

"Valuing publicly sponsored research projects: Risks, scenario adjustments, and inattention," with Trudy Ann Cameron and Geoffry R. Gerdes. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 2007. Paper.

Work in Progress

"The neurobiological basis of altruism," with Paul W. Glimcher.

"The robustness of rationality in addiction models," with Paul W. Glimcher.

"Difficult choices," with Bill Harbaugh and Ulrich Mayr.

Teaching

I have independently taught introductory econometrics (EC 420) and environmental economics (EC 333). I've also served as a teaching assistant for many undergraduate classes. In the future, I look forward to teaching neuroeconomics, econometrics and microeconomic theory at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Biographical Information

My wife and I both grew up in the small town of Silverton, Oregon. My younger days were filled with mountian biking and checking out the "BBS scene" with my hyper-intelligent and hardworking friend Rik Williams. Check out his Eastern Oregon pictures for an up close and personal look at what it's like when two geeks hit the road. One of my other hometown buddies, Pat Welborn, is a photo artist and web designer. Check out his stuff here. I received a B.S. (cum laude) in Economics in 2001 from Oregon State University. My wannabe econometrician roommate at Oregon State, Matt Fritz, now studies quantitative psychology at Arizona State University. I received a M.S. in Economics in 2005 from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in 2007.