Dixit Poudel

About Dixit Poudel

I’m a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Georgia and an Economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. I work at the intersection of data, policy, and real-world business and development challenges—whether that’s international trade, markets, or how regulations shape economic decisions. I also serve as a Research Fellow at UGA’s Center for International Trade and Security.I love applied econometrics, causal inference, and any question that requires rolling up my sleeves and working with messy micro-data. My PhD examined how economies adapt to emerging technological, environmental, and regulatory shocks: from digital infrastructure in formal manufacturing to highways and floods in the informal sector, all the way to global trans-fat regulations.I’ve worked across academia, government, the private sector, and international organizations, and have held leadership, advising, and mentoring roles with AAEA, FAO, and AMIE.I’ve been fortunate to receive fellowships such as the IMF Youth Fellowship, Adam Smith Fellowship, UC Berkeley Environment & Energy Economics Fellowship, and the Pacific Trade and Development Fellowship. But what drives me most is curiosity and the belief that good evidence can make policy and business decisions smarter.Outside work, I’m usually traveling, hiking, cooking, cycling, or taking long drives to learn about local communities. I sing too (with more enthusiasm than talent). And I love stories - because that’s often where my best research questions begin.

Experience

1. Economist

   FAO

   May 2023 — Present · Rome, IT

   Economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations starting May 2, 2023.

Education

• The University of Georgia

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Applied Economics

  2021 — 2025

• University of California, Berkeley

  Summer School, Environmental and Energy Economics

  2023 — 2023

• The University of Georgia

  Master of Science - MS, Applied Economics

  2019 — 2021

• Agriculture and Forestry University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Agriculture

  2013 — 2018