Katrina is a Research Fellow in the Development Strategy and Governance Division at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). She is an applied microeconomist working at the intersection of development economics, political economy, and public economics. Her research focuses on the impacts of governance on public investment and outcomes for the poor. She has investigated the impacts of decentralization on growth, environmental investments, tax policy, and public service provision, as well as the effects of income inequality on local governments’ investments in the poor. Her current work examines how political competition and institutions affect the behaviors and aspirations of the poor. Katrina holds a Ph.D. in Political Economics from Stanford University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Economics.

Awards

• Lead P.I., 3ie Social Protection Thematic Window Grant, “Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Community-Based Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Tanzania” ($620,000), 2012-2013
• International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Strategic Innovations Fund Award ($50,000), 2012
• Time Warner Cable, Award from Research Program on Digital Communications ($20,000), 2011
• Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) Dissertation Fellowship, 2010 – 2011
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (Economics), 2006 – 2010
• Best Paper Award, NYU Alexander Hamilton Center for Political Economy Conference, 2008
• Grant, Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD) Workshop, 2010
• Fulbright Fellowship for research in Ecuador, 2003
• Outstanding Undergraduate Honors Thesis Award, 2003
• Toyota Community Scholars Award ($20,000 scholarship in recognition of community service), 1999-2003