Current Position: Assistant Professor, Leon Hess Business School, Monmouth University

After two years in the private sector in Brazil, I felt a strong pull back to academia. The chance to study with Dr. Elissa Braunstein at Colorado State University was a major factor in my decision. My enthusiasm for her mentorship was so great that I only applied to Colorado State University’s PhD program. Moving to the United States with great expectations, I found that the program managed to exceed all of them.

The transition back to academia was not easy. Dealing with cultural shock, language differences, and constant self-doubt was challenging. However, I received unmatched support from my peers and professors from the very start. Older cohorts created an encouraging and welcoming environment for new students, and we ensured that this collaborative spirit was passed on to the next generations. Asking for help, sharing materials, and engaging in social activities—from hikes to interesting conversations at one of Fort Collins’s stellar breweries—became staples of our graduate student community. This community allowed me to meet the rigorous program’s expectations while pursuing my own research questions and walking my own path.

We had weekly presentations from graduate students and seminars with outside speakers, which significantly enriched our critical thinking and public presentation skills, and provided important networking opportunities. In fact, one of the invited speakers is currently my co-author on a project, and several others have become friends who are always ready to share constructive feedback and have interesting conversations during conferences.

During my time as a graduate student, I felt positively challenged not only to become the best economist I could be but also to be a valuable member of my community and a voice for democratizing academia. Professors Elissa Braunstein, Daniele Tavani, Ramaa Vasudevan, Anders Fremstad, Alex Bernasek, and Guy Numa were fantastic mentors who truly wanted to see me succeed. They saw and respected me for who I am and helped me find a balance between publishing relevant research in economics and staying true to the research questions I wanted to raise. More than just examples to follow, they became my friends. Now, as a young scholar, I know I can always ask them for advice—and I often do, consistently receiving the nicest, most helpful replies.

CSU not only provided me with a vibrant environment to pursue research, but the teaching opportunities offered to graduate students are unique compared to other programs. The freedom to develop my own syllabi, combined with mandatory professional development activities, made me fall back in love with the classroom environment and gave me a significant advantage in the job market.

One of the unique aspects of CSU is the job market preparation offered, which in my year was led by Zack Schaller, who did a fantastic job. Together with Steve Pressman, they provided mock interviews, reviewed my job market materials, and even reached out to ensure I was doing okay during that very stressful time.

Last Christmas, I couldn’t go to Brazil, so I flew to Fort Collins, which I now call my home on the north side of the Equator. I am nothing but grateful for my experience there. CSU has not only been a place of learning but also a community that I will cherish and remain connected to for years to come.