Hej Veronica! How exciting that you will be joining us as Assistant Professor next year! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

- Hi there! I'm originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and at 17 I moved to the US to study Mathematics at MIT, where I was drawn to Economics research and eventually decided to do a PhD at the LSE. This chapter is now coming to an end. Following my postdoc at the Geneva School of Economics and Management at the University of Geneva, I am thrilled to be joining the IIES as an Assistant Professor! 

What made you choose the IIES?

- The IIES is a vibrant community of brilliant minds dedicated to tackling global social issues such as education quality, the macroeconomics of climate change, and political polarization, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance and being lots of fun! 

What is your research about?

- My research interests lie in Environmental Economics, Development, and Trade. Specifically, I study agriculture, land use change, and biodiversity conservation through an economic geography lens. I'm passionate about understanding land use choices and their impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods in a world where different regions are linked by the movement of people and resources. I have ongoing projects focusing on Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

Your Job Market Paper really impressed us! Can you tell us a bit more about it?

- Thank you! In my job market paper, which I co-authored with Gabriel Leite Mariante, we examined whether forest conservation policies in Brazil have led to increased deforestation for agricultural production in unprotected areas of the country. While we did find some evidence of this displacement, it appears to be relatively small. Moreover, the conservation policies we studied have led to more intensive agricultural land use, with higher revenue per hectare. I'm excited to continue this line of research and contribute to the conversation at IIES!