# Graduate Student Career Placements

**Source**: https://agecon.tamu.edu/graduate-student-placement/
**Parent**: https://agecon.tamu.edu/

The department helps graduate students prepare for employment.  Funding is provided to attend conferences where students have opportunities to present their research and job market paper.   Students also have opportunities to present their research in in-house departmental seminars.

There are many job opportunities. These include academic jobs as an assistant professor, or non-academic jobs including Government, and non-governmental organizations like consulting or private sector.  Students have gone into many different areas.  Recent PhD graduates have accepted academic position in the U.S. and international universities, government positions and data scientist positions in the private sector.  Recent M.S. students have accepted positions in the government, the private sector, and continuing education.  You can look at our past placements and our current candidates on our website to learn more about their placements.

Dr. Richard Woodward is the graduate placement coordinator for the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University.

## Ph.D. Job Placements

2024-2025

**Lingyi Li**, *Staff Econometrician*. Stata Corp\
Advisors:Bruce McCarl and Chengcheng Fei\
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**Mengqiao Liu,** *Assistant Research Scientist*,  Texas A&M University\
Advisors: Yu Zhang and Ariun Ishdorj\
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**Vikas Mishra**, Post Doc, Auburn University\
Advisors: Ariun Ishdorj and Pourya Valizadeh\
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**Henry Nelson**, *Research Assistant Professor,* Texas A&M University\
Advisor: Henry Bryant\
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**Samuel Priestley**, *Economic Consultant,* S&P Global\
Advisor: Marco Palma\
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**Yuanhang Wang,** *Research Fellow,* Curtin University\
Advisor: Kashi Kafle

**Lunyu Zhou,** *Assistant Research Scientist*, Texas A&M AgriLife Research\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl

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2023-2024

**Amelia Ahles,**  *Post Doc Research Fellow,* Oklahoma State University \
Advisor: Marco Palma

**Shahin **Bahramiabdolmalaki,**** *Post Doc*, Texas A&M University\
Advisor: Rodolfo Nayga and Mani Rad

**Yayun Chen,** *Postdoctoral Researcher,* Texas A&M University\
Advisor: James Mjelde and Bruce McCarl

**Muxi Cheng,** *Analyst*, American Airlines\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl and Chengcheng Fei

**Natalie Graff,** *Research Assistant Professor*, Texas A&M University\
Advisor: Joe Outlaw

**Hannah Hawkins,** *Analyst,* Advanced Economic Solutions\
Advisor: Senarath Dharmasena

**Ruixin Jia,** *Visiting Assistant Professor*, Fort Hays State University\
Advisor: Marco Palma

**Nan Li,** *Fellow at School of Business,* Wake Forest University\
Advisor: Yu Zhang

**Macson Ogieriakhi,** *Instructional Assistant Professor*, University of Arkansas\
Advisor: Richard Woodward

**Faith Parum,** *Economist,* Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection\
Advisor: Senarath Dharmasena

**Phatchaya Piriyathanasak,** *Research Analyst,* Welligence Energy Analytics\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl

**Brian Toney,** *Instructor of Economics,* Texas A&M University-Commerce\
Advisor: Marco Palma

**Xingguo Wang,** *AgriLife Research Assistant Professor*, Texas A&M AGEC – Ft. Worth\
Advisors: Henry Bryant and Pourya Valizadeh

**Jeffrey Wright,** *Assistant Professor*, San Angelo- District Extension Specialist\
Advisor: John R. Robinson

2022-2023 

**Mark Dinhobl,** *Research Data Scientist,* USDA\
Advisor: James Mjelde\
\
**Hyung Ho “Ben” Park,** *Research Fellow*, Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI)\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
\
**Siwan Song,** *Research Associate and Lecturer,* University of Wisconsin – Madison\
Advisor: Ariun Ishdor\
\
**Natalia Valdez-Gonzalez,** *Postdoctoral Researcher,* University of Barcelona\
Advisor: Marco Palma\
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**Anna Yeritysan,** *Postdoc Researcher/Armenia Project Coordinator*,  Texas A&M University Department of Veterinary Medicine \
Advisor: James MJelde\
\
**Tian Su,** *Economist,* Texas Real Estate Center, Texas A&M University\
Advisor: David Leatham

2021-2022

**Yabin Da,** *Assistant Professor – AGEC,*Renmin University, China\
Advisor:Bruce McCarl\
\
**Xiaoyang Deng,** *Analytic Scientist,* Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Jennifer Young Kee,** *Research Ag Economist,* USDA Economic Research Service\
Advisor:Marco Palma\
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**Clifford Dale Shelton,** *Economist,* AgAmerica Lending\
Advisor: Richard Woodward\
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**Chrystol Thomas-Winston,** *Instructional Assistant Professor,* Texas A&M University\
Advisor:Ximing Wu\
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**Wang, Ying,** *Research Assoc, Dept of Ag, Food and Resource Economics,* Michigan State University\
Advisor: Richard Woodward

2020-2021

**Michael Black,***Federal Economist,*U.S. Food & Drug Administration\
Advisor:Richard Woodward\
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**Daniel Chavez,***Postdoctoral Researcher,* University of Kentucky\
Advisor: James Mjelde\
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**Long Goa**, *Postdoctoral Associate*, Texas Tech University\
Advisor: Oral Capps\
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**Yu-Kai Huang**, *Postdoctoral Research Associate*, University of Georgia\
Advisor: Marco Palma, Bruce McCarl\
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**Samir Huseynov**, *Assistant Professor,* Auburn University\
Advisor: Marco Palma\
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**Keehyun Lee,** *Postdoc Scholar,* University of Kentucky\
Advisor: Oral Capps\
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**Sunyoung Lee,***Assistant Professor,* Hanyang University, South Korea\
Advisor: Yu Zhang\
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**Pulkit Marwah,***Associate Manager of Strategy,* The Wonderful Company\
Advisor: Yu Zhang\
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**Nishita Sinha**, *Assistant Research Scientist*, Texas A&M Transportation Institute\
Advisor: Richard Woodward, Luis Ribera\
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**Lizhihan Yu**, *Data Scientist*, Nationwide Insurance\
Advisor:Bruce McCarl\
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**Peilu Zhang**, *Postdoctoral Associate,* Cornell University\
Advisor: Marco Palma\
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**Ze Shen,***Assistant Professor,*Zhejiang Gong Shang University, China\
Advisor: David Leatham

2019-2020

**Panit Arunanondchai**, *Senior Data Analyst*, Hulu\
Advisor:David Leatham\
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**Yuri Calil,** *Assistant Professor,* Federal University of Itajuba\
Advisor: Luis Ribera\
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**Chen Gao**, *Data Scientist*, Facebook Inc. (Meta)\
Advisor: David Leatham\
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**Meng Jiang**, *Data Scientist,* Nationwide Insurance Company\
Advisor: Ariun Ishdorj\
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**Charles Martinez,** *Assistant Professor*, University of Tennessee\
Advisor: John Park\
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**Aurora Vargas,** *Quantitative Analyst Consultant*, Model T Racing (MTR), LLC\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Minglu Wang,** *Associate Professor*, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Xiaotong Yuan**, *Modeling Analyst,* The Cincinnati Insurance Company\
Advisor: Yu Zhang\

2018-2019

**Jesse Donald Backstrom**, *Assistant Professor,* Texas State University\
Advisor: Richard Woodward\
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**Justin Reynaldo Benavidez,** *Economic Extension Specialist-Amarillo,* Texas A&M University \
Advisor: David Anderson \
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**Guo “Chris” Cheng**, *Staff Econometrician,* StataCorp, LLC \
Advisor: Oral Capps, Jr.\
\
**Seungyeon Cho,** *Research Fellow*, Korea Rural Economic Institute\
Advisor: Ariun Ishdorj\
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**Chengcheng Fei**, *Assistant Professor*, Texas A&M \
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Alexander Neal Hlavinka**, *Analyst*, Vantage CFO \
Advisor: James Mjelde\
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**Ju Won Jang,** *Assistant Professor,* Nichols College Massachusetts\
Advisor: Ariun Ishdorj\
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**Yuan-Yao Lee,** *Economist*, RTI Internationals \
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Anastasia Thayer**, *Research Associate*, TAMU \
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Wenbin Wu,** *Applied Scientist,* Uber \
Advisor: Ximing Wu\
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**Guannan Zhao,** *Data Scientist,* Warner Music Group \
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\

2017-2018

**Xinxin Fan**, *Analyst*, Wood-Mackenzie Coal Consulting firm in Houston\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Erin Hardin**, *Research Economist*, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University  \
Advisor: Henry Bryant\
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**Bachir Mohamad Kassas,**  *Assistant Professor,*Florida State University\
Advisor: Marco Palma\
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**Michelle Segovia Coronel,**  *Assistant Professor*,  University of Missouri  \
Advisor: Marco Palma\
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**Yinjunjie Zhang,**  *Post-Doctorate*,  Austrailian National University  \
Advisor: Marco Palma\
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**Song Zhou,** *Analyst,*  Regional Financial Service Group in Atlanta \
Advisor: Ximing Wu and Yu Zhang\
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**Zidong Wang,**  *Analyst,*  Alibaba, Shanghai \
Advisor: Bruce McCarl

## Master’s Job Placement

2024-2025

**Laura Jimenez,** *Consultant,* Bulkhead Meats, Dallas \
Advisor: David P. Anderson

**Nemesio Ruiz Saiz,** *Ranch Owner,* Navasota, TX\
Advisor: David P. Anderson

2023-2024

**Sydney Beamon,** *Loan Administrator,* Capital Farm Credit\
Advisor: Claude Rosson\
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**Alexis Ghormley,** AGEC PhD Student, Texas A&M University\
Advisor: Bart Fischer\
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**Cristina Griffith,** *Sustainability Analyst*, PECO Foods\
Advisor: James Mjelde\
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**William Hussey,** *Insurance Agent*, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance\
Advisor: M.E. Rister\
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**Hakki Gokhan Sengul,** Turkish Ministry\
Advisor: Ariun Ishdorj\

2022-2023

**Amit Bapu Ahire**, Ministry of India\
Advisor: Bruce McCarl\
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**Yooyoung Ahn**, Korean Government\
Advisor: Victoria Salin\
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**Ashton Betchan**, *Credit Analyst,* Classic Bank, Cameron\
Advisor: Senerath Dharmasena\
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**Joshua Buercklin,** *Regulatory Analyst,* Tyson Foods, Fayetteville AR\
Advisor: David Anderson\
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**Tyler Evans,** *Community Assistant,* The Michaels Organization\
Advisor: Dmitry Vedenov\
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**Connor** **Neumann,** *Field Representative,* Farm Bureau \
Advisor: John Park,\
\
**Ian Ryan**, *Senior Livestock Economist,* Government of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada\
Advisor: Henry Bryant\
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**Joshua Strine,** *Ph.D Student,* Purdue University \
Advisor: Oral Capps\
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**Micah Trull,** *Loan Admin Associate*, Central Texas Farm Credit\
Advisor: David Anderson\
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**Helen Wakefield,** *Agricultural Economist,* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service\
Advisor: Joe Outlaw\

2021-2022

**Bembya Bembeev,** *Analyst,* Comcast\
Advisor: David Anderson\
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**Shane Bentke,** *Relationship Manager Associate,*Capital Farm Credit\
Advisor: David Anderson\
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**Margaret Denena,** *Development Supervisor,* Mustang Cat\
Advisor: David Anderson\
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**Harlea Hoelscher,** *Staff Assistant****,*** House Committee on Agriculture Republicans\
Advisor: Joe Outlaw\
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**Colton Russell,** *Research Associate*, Corteva\
Advisor: Joe Outlaw\
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**Allison Wilton,** *Economic Policy & Global Analysis* *Coordinator*, National Milk Producers Federation\
Advisor: Joe Outlaw

2020-2021

**Justin Machado,** *Director of Finance and Operations,* Groundforce Building Systems\
Advisor: James Mjelde\
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**Kate Wright,** *Analyst Econ Forecasting,* CPS Energy\
Advisor: Luis Ribera\
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**Landyn Young**, *Program* Coordinator, Center for North American Studies\
Advisor: Luis Ribera\
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**Mingjia Zhang,** *Research Assistant*, CoronaNet Research Group \
Advisor: David Leatham

2019-2020

**Olalekan Gbenga Faromiki**,  *Certified Associate*, Salesforce\
Advisor: Edwin Price\
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**Natalie Adele Graff**, *AGEC PhD Program,* Texas A&M\
Henry Bryant\
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**Henry Rogne Nelson**, *AGEC PhD Program*, \
Advisor: Joe Outlaw\
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**Micah Joel Newton,**  *Loan Officer,* Texas Heritage National Bank\
 Advisor: Joe Outlaw\
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**Brannick Sweetser**, *Policy Anal*yst, AgriLogic Consulting, LLC\
Advisor: David Leatham

2018-2019

**Taylre Beaty,** *State Broadband Director,* Tennessee Department of Economic and Community & Develop\
Advisor: Rebekka Dudensing\
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**Stephen Hartman Cain,** *Director, Economic Research  & Analysis*, National Milk Producers Federation Advisor: Senarath Dharamasena\
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**Christopher L. Lindsey***, Financial Soulutions Advisor*, Merrill and Bank of America \
Advisor: Reid Stevens\
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**Jorge Carlos Martinez Palomares,** *PhD – Agricultural and Applied Economics*, University of Missouri Advisor: Reid Stevens\
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**Levin Wade Porter,** *Ranch Manager,* Hope Reins in Texas \
Advisor: David Anderson\
\
**Jae Hyeong Yu,** *Director,* *Ministry of Agriculture*, Food and Rural Affairs (South Korea)\
Advisor: Gary W. Williams\
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**Brad Weldman,** *Agricultural Policy Consultant,* Combest, Sell & Associates \
Advisor: Joe Outlaw\
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**Kaiqi Zhao,** *Agribusiness and Chain Consultant,* Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Advisor: Yu Zhang\

2017-2018

**Elizabeth Tabares (Villarreal)**, *Project Coordinator* Bourlag Institute \
Advisor: Ariun Ishdorj

**Katelyn Keller**, Lead Sales, Purchasing & Operations Analyst – Ben E. Keith Foods \
Advisor: Senerath Dharmasena

**Chandler Keown**, Farm Loan Manager – USDA Farm Service Agency \
Advisor: Mark Welch

**Brent Tymrak,**  Self Employed – Farmer – Grain, Sorghum, Cotton – Corpus Christi, Tx \
Advisor: David Anderson

**Elizabeth Tabares** – Project Coordinator – Borlaug Institute – Texas A&M University \
Advisor: Ariun Ishdorj\
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