Featured Researcher: Pramod Manohar '23

About the Student Researcher

Major(s)

Majoring in economics and mathematics

What's your research story?

I am a senior at the University of Rochester studying economics and mathematics, and I utilize econometric methods to study policy-relevant questions. My research interests lie at the intersection of development and environmental economics, and my recently published work studies the effects of climate change on agriculture in India. Currently, I am investigating how oil and gas leases have evolved across time and space, as well as how weather patterns affect students’ time use. I am applying to PhD programs in Economics and Public Policy this cycle, with the goal of becoming an academic economist.

How did you initially secure your research position?

After completing my first semester at the University of Rochester, I opted to take an undergraduate course in econometrics in the following semester. Midway through the second semester of my freshman year, the instructor of the course invited me to work as a research assistant for him over the summer, on account of my performance in the course.

Departments/programs of research

Department of Economics and the Health and Environmental Economics Lab

Type of research

Computational analysis, Econometric analysis

Any research presentations, awards, or publications?

Older article about my research

One of my sole-authored publications is forthcoming and will be out on the Cambridge University Press website soon (it is currently in production), but I don't know exactly when. My research experience has enabled me to apply for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which would serve as a source of external funding for my doctoral studies.

Can you share some "lessons learned" as a result of your undergraduate research experience?

The most important lesson I learned is to not be risk averse and shy away from challenges. There is definitely a risk-reward trade off in research, so do not be afraid to take big risks if you want to reap big rewards.

What advice can you share with new undergraduate researchers?

Persistence and focus are key to becoming a successful researcher, especially at the undergraduate level.