Monica Opoku, Ph.D. student, Department of Economics

The CSU Economics Department is proud to congratulate Monica Opoku on her selection as a 2026-2027 Diana Wall Sustainability Leadership Fellow! She is one of 20 early career scholars chosen from across Colorado State University to join the 16th cohort of this prestigious program. The Diana Wall Sustainability Leadership Fellows program equips advanced PhD students and postdoctoral scholars with cutting-edge science communication skills, professional development training, and strategies for building impactful, interdisciplinary careers. Throughout the year, Monica will participate in an intensive science communication workshop, expert-led training sessions on topics ranging from data visualization to policy engagement, and exclusive networking opportunities. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to seeing Monica’s continued contributions to sustainability research and beyond. Congratulations, Monica!

Research Summary: My research examines how environmental degradation affects everyday life in Ghana, with a focus on children’s health and access to safe water. I study how mining activities expose households to pollution and how this shapes child health outcomes over time. I also investigate how households cope with pricing inequality in informal water markets in the face of perceived environmental risks. Alongside this empirical work, I develop economic models that account for the hidden external and environmental costs of resource extraction. My goal is to inform policies that protect both vulnerable communities and the ecosystems they depend on.

Advisor: Ray Miller

Read more in the CSU Sustainability article: Diana Wall Sustainability Leadership Fellows | Sustainability | Colorado State University