Duncan Thomas

Duncan Thomas is the Norb F. Schaefer Distinguished Professor of International Studies and Professor of Economics, Global Health, and Public Policy at Duke University's Department of Economics. His primary research focuses on the interplay between health, human capital, and socio-economic status, emphasizing household decision-making and resource allocation in global contexts. He co-directs the Study of the Tsunami Aftermath and Recovery (STAR) and has led large-scale longitudinal surveys in Indonesia, Mexico, and the U.S.

Research Interests

• Health economics and policy
• Development economics
• Household behavior and decision-making
• Long-term impacts of disasters
• Socioeconomic determinants of health

Key Projects

• STAR: Analyzes the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami's long-term effects on health, resilience, and infrastructure using satellite imagery and biomarkers.
• Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS): Tracks socioeconomic and health trends in Indonesia since 1993.
• Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS): Examines migration, health, and economic integration of Mexicans in the U.S. and Mexico.

Grants and Funding

His work is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), World Bank, and MacArthur Foundation. Notable grants include:

• NIA/NICHD funding for STAR's longitudinal disaster impact analysis.
• Fogarty International Center grants for the WISE iron supplement study.

Labs/Teams

Co-director of STAR with Elizabeth Frankenberg. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams including economists, epidemiologists, and geographers.