Ryan McWay is a first year Ph.D. student in the applied economics program at the University of Minnesota. His most recent appointment was at the University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research and Population Studies Center working alongside Dr. Dean Yang. His research aims are focused on improving development outcomes in regional and global settings. McWay’s research interests focus on applied microeconomics with specific concentrations in development economics, impact evaluations, natural disasters, decision-making, and urban economics.