FACULTY
Dr. Sabina Shaikh is an economics Lecturer in the Program on Global Environment and Public Policy Studies and the Founder and Director of the Environment, Agriculture and Food (EAF) working group at the University of Chicago. Her research and teaching focuses on the economics of environmental policy and natural resource management, including market-based mechanisms for pollution control and the economic valuation of ecosystem services. Her research ranges from urban sustainability in the City of Chicago related to climate change, water management and reducing the environmental impact of the food service sector to the economics of ecosystem change in the developing world. Dr. Shaikh contributes services as a board member for several organizations in Chicago including the Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition and Greenleaf Advisors. She is also the co-lead investigator on a recently awarded a grant by the National Science Foundation to study climate change and water sustainability in the Cambodia Mekong Delta.
Dr. Shaikh has published in numerous scholarly journals including Land Economics, Ecological Economics and Economic Inquiry. She has recently contributed book chapters to Natural Capital: Theory and Practice of Mapping Ecosystem Services and the Handbook of Metropolitan Sustainability.
At the University of Chicago, Dr. Shaikh teaches Environmental Economics, Economics for Public Policy and Environment, Agriculture and Food Economics and Policy.
Dr. Shaikh holds a BA in Economics from the University of Wisconsin and a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California at Davis.
Visit Shaikh’s website. See selected publications.
2015 EAF Summer Interns
Jacqueline Feng
I’m a rising second-year in the college double majoring in Economics and Biology. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, but I’ve lived most of my life in Moorestown, New Jersey. On campus, I’m also involved in the Green Economics Group, the Blue Chips, and China Care. This summer, I’m excited to be continuing my work on the Green Chicago Sports Project, an initiative to analyze and improve the sustainable practices of Chicago’s sports teams and venues. This project has provided me the opportunity to learn different data analysis methods and improve my professional and presentational skills. It’s been a very rewarding experience so far, and I hope to see it through to a successful conclusion!
Eliot Martin
I’m a third-year undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University, from Chicago, majoring in Economics and Public Policy Studies. My academic interests center around socioeconomic development, environmental sustainability, and food systems—especially the interaction between such topics. Aside from my studies, I’m actively involved in the Vanderbilt International Relations Association, am a huge foodie (and love cooking), and am an avid traveler. I’ve been working with EAF this summer on the ecological and developmental modeling work for the Cambodia Mekong NSF project. This project is especially interesting to me because I plan on studying abroad in Vietnam second semester this year where I will conduct my own research on the sustainability and developmental impacts of aquaculture methods and policies in the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam. I’m ultimately interested in obtaining a PhD in Public Policy.
2015 EAF MEMBERS
Andrea Clinton
I’m a third-year in the college majoring in Environmental Studies. I am from Royal Oak, MI, a suburb of Detroit. I am interested in sustainability, food security, and environmental education. On campus, I am the Chief Operating Officer for Model United Nations of the University of Chicago, as well as a member of ChoMUN, UChicago’s college Model UN conference. I am excited to work with the other members of EAF on our various projects this quarter!
Caitlin Piccirillo-Stosser
I’m a first-year in the college pursuing a double major in Economics and Environmental Studies. I am from Ossining, New York, and have always loved of sports, with allegiances to the New York Yankees and the New York Giants in particular. I am an Irish step dancer and I love to play IM sports on campus. I am passionate about environmental policies, and I am excited to work with the group toward sustainability and social outreach both on campus and throughout Chicago!
Chuan Yin
Hi! This is Chuan, first-year, Undecided major (as if it sounds like a thing). I like thinking, playing, solving problems, changing, working out, etc. I’m interested in sports and environmental protection and I believe in the collective effort of quantitative inter-disciplinary research in altering the social environment. Nice to meet you!
Claire Pieper
I’m a first-year prospective economics and public policy double major. I am a St. Louis native but also love travelling the world. During high school, I competed nationally and internationally as a synchronized figure skater with my team St. Louis Synergy. Today on campus I serve as an assistant chair for both ChoMUN and MUNUC, as well as an active member in Women in Business. This spring, I am looking forward to bringing sustainability awareness to the UChicago campus with the EAF group. I originally developed an interest in the sustainable practices during my senior year while I worked on my school’s sustainability committee, a group that brought monthly school wide updates about environmental issues and instituted cleaner practices – from singles-stream recycling to CFL light bulbs.
Claire Wild
I’m a fourth-year majoring in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. I’m interested in sustainability and alternative food systems, and just finished writing my B.A. thesis on urban ethnobotany and foraging in Chicago. I’ve enjoyed engaging with the greater Chicago community through my research, so I’m excited to work on environmental initiatives in the city! I’m also involved in the UChicago Gymnastics Club, and each tumbling to kids at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club.
Eric Chein
I’m a second-year Economic major and Environmental Studies minor. This summer I worked as a research assistant at the Lincoln Land Institute at Peking University in Beijing, China, studying urban sustainability and Chinese land tax policy. I wrote research briefs, translated papers, and helped analyze data. Through that experience, I have developed a tremendous interest in researching and helping to implement urban green initiatives.
Eva Kinnebrew
I’m a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Studies. My research interests include sustainable agriculture, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem conservation and restoration. I am always looking for ways to make our societal practices more environmentally friendly, which is why I am so excited to be a part of the EAF group! In my free time I love composing and performing music.
Gustavo Sanchez
I’m a fourth-year student graduating with a double major in Public Policy and Political Science. While at Uchicago I chose to specialize in municipal policy, including urban sustainability. Previously, I worked with the City of Chicago to develop innovative approaches to recycling in the city. Most recently, I have been working with the city and various stakeholders on the Sustainable Chicago Sports Project. After graduation I plan on moving to California to pursue a career in opinion research.
Katherine Knight
I’m a fourth-year in the college majoring in economics. Outside of EAF, I’m also involved in the Green Economics Group, Greek life and several dance organizations on campus. I’m from Chicago and have been a Cubs fan my whole life. I was incredibly excited to work on the Green Chicago Sports Project because I think sports organizations have great potential to affect positive change in their communities.
Kevin On
I’m a fourth-year student studying economics. I am also a student athlete on the cross-country and track and field teams. My involvement in athletics as well as my passion for sustainability practices motivated me to join this group. I hope to accomplish some great things during my remaining time on campus and I look forward to planning some great events and spreading awareness about both sustainability and athletics.
Querida Qui
I’m a third-year in the college double majoring in economics and statistics. I’m from China and consider Chicago my second home. I’m the Finance Group Head for Women in Business on campus and a fellow in UChicago Careers in Business: Financial Markets. I enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, watching Sherlock, and cooking in my spare time. I’m a huge foodie and work part-time at Alinea Restaurant with their business team. Pumped to be part of EAF and to work with Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition on all the exciting projects!
Vivian Tu
I’m a third-year public policy and environmental studies double major. I am from Marriottsville, MD, a suburb 25 minutes outside of Baltimore, but consider Chicago to be a place I can call home. My interests in finance, energy, and commodities sparked my curiosity for renewable resources and sustainability in the Chicago area. On campus, I am the Vice President of PRISM, a business & consulting RSO on campus, as well as a UC Maroons Cheerleader. In my free time, I love munching on all of Chicago’s foodie eats and listening to up-and-coming rap music.