July 23, 2019
Purdue professor appointed to the Council of Economic Advisers in Washington, D.C.
Joseph Balagtas, associate professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University (Purdue University photo/Kim Cook).
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Joseph Balagtas, associate professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University, has been selected to serve as a senior economist, with a focus on agricultural and food policy, to the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) in Washington, D.C.
The CEA provides the president objective economic advice on economic policy and evaluates economic literature and data to determine the consequences of alternative policies. While in Washington, Balagtas, whose appointment will begin on Aug. 1, will also have a partial appointment working with the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist conducting economic analysis on similar policies.
“As an academic agricultural economist, I spend a lot of my time thinking about food and agricultural policies in a way that is abstract and sometimes removed from the details of specific policies and policy process,” Balagtas said. “This opportunity at the CEA and USDA will allow me to be ‘in the room where it happens,’ so to speak. It is a chance to use my economic toolkit and knowledge of agricultural institutions to inform policymakers in a way that we do not normally get to do from our university offices. I see it as a great opportunity to learn about the policy process and contribute to the making of sound policy.”
In regard to Balagtas’ appointment, Jayson Lusk distinguished professor and department head of agricultural economics, said: “We are excited and honored that Joe was selected for these prestigious appointments. This is a great opportunity for him and the department to be on the front lines of food and agricultural policy making.”
Joseph Balagtas holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of California, Davis; an M.S. in agricultural economics from Iowa State University; and a B.A. in economics from Miami University. Previously, he was a Fulbright senior scholar and visiting scientist at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines.
Writer: Kami Goodwin, 765-494-6999, kami@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;
Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu
