Donald Wargo

Donald Wargo is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts, Temple University, where he has been teaching for nearly two decades. Prior to academia, he spent thirty years in executive roles within Philadelphia-area real-estate firms—including serving as Vice President of Finance and President—and fifteen years running his own development company, Wargo Properties, Inc.

Education

• B.A., Philosophy
• M.A., Philosophy
• M.A., Economics
• Ph.D., Economics

Research Interests

Wargo’s scholarship integrates behavioral economics, neuroeconomics, and real-estate economics with a strong emphasis on ethical decision making and financial literacy. His work explores how neurobiological mechanisms such as dopamine signaling influence utility maximization in firms, how moral emotions like greed and overconfidence precipitate global financial crises, and how sustainability concerns can be reconciled with profitability in urban land-use decisions.

He also investigates the science of learning—why students quickly forget economic concepts—and how real-world financial literacy can be embedded into university curricula. His research frequently intersects with public policy, corporate governance, and the ethical culture of business organizations.

Publication Trends

Across more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and technical reports published between 2008 and 2021, Wargo’s output reflects a consistent focus on interdisciplinary approaches that blend economics with neuroscience, ethics, and environmental sustainability. Notable venues include Sustainability, Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal of Business Ethics Education, and multiple edited volumes on neuroeconomics and the firm.

Scientific Awards & Honors

No specific awards or honors are mentioned in the provided materials.

Advising & Grants

While no individual PhD advisees are listed, Wargo has co-authored research with colleagues such as John A. Sorrentino (Temple Economics) and Mahbubur R. Meenar (Rowan Geography & Planning). He has served on advisory boards of both for-profit companies and non-profit organizations, indicating ongoing engagement with external stakeholders and potential sources of research funding.

Labs, Teams & External Roles

Wargo maintains active ties to industry and policy circles through advisory-board memberships, and his prior leadership of Wargo Properties, Inc. provides a practical laboratory for testing real-estate and behavioral-economic theories. These experiences inform his classroom instruction and collaborative research projects.