David Stifel

David Stifel is a Professor and Department Head of Economics at Lafayette College. He specializes in development economics, applied micro-econometrics, poverty and infrastructure, and agricultural production and markets. He joined Lafayette's Economics faculty in 2003, teaching courses such as Economic Development and Applied Microeconometrics. His research focuses on poverty, agricultural markets, and rural infrastructure, with fieldwork in Madagascar, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka. He has led interdisciplinary initiatives like the Lafayette Initiative for Malagasy Education (LIME), a student-driven program supporting Malagasy high schoolers. His work bridges empirical research and policy, addressing global challenges like food security and climate resilience.

Education: PhD in Economics from Cornell University. Professional Experience includes visiting research fellowships at the World Bank, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and International Water Management Institute (IWMI). His research spans multiple countries, including studies on irrigation technology adoption in Nepal, Ethiopia, and Jordan, and socioeconomic impacts of rural infrastructure in Madagascar and Ethiopia.

Research Trends: Articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to development challenges, emphasizing renewable energy adoption (e.g., solar irrigation), water resource management, and poverty measurement in dynamic economic landscapes. Recent work explores equity in energy access, climate adaptation strategies, and the cognitive effects of childhood nutrition in high-income contexts.

Awards: No specific scientific awards listed, though his sustained contributions to development economics are reflected in his prolific publication record and institutional leadership roles. He has advised student initiatives and contributed to policy-relevant research through collaborations with global institutes like IFPRI and IWMI.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Lafayette Initiative for Malagasy Education (LIME), fostering international student collaboration. His research teams often partner with international organizations to address real-world development challenges in agriculture, water, and rural infrastructure.