College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics

Major Professor: Mark Skidmore 

Area of Specialization: Applied Economics/Regional Science

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026

Publications on Google Scholar

Fernanda Alfaro is a PhD Candidate in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics whose research centers on public finance, taxation, and regional development. She has collaborated with international organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as policy-oriented think tanks, including the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Her work has appeared in leading journals such as the National Tax Journal and the Journal of Regional Science.

Her dissertation, Essays on Price Adjustment and Spatial Equilibrium in the United States, investigates the spatial dynamics of prices and their implications for regional economies. Each chapter analyzes how markets respond to structural differences or shocks across space, with particular attention to urban–rural disparities and the role of policy interventions. She is advised by Dr. Mark Skidmore, Dr. Scott Loveridge, and Dr. Dusan Paredes.

Originally from Antofagasta, Chile, Fernanda is currently based in Lansing, Michigan.