Pierce Donovan

Pierce Donovan is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), specializing in environmental and resource economics. His research focuses on bioeconomic systems, endangered species conservation, land use, and causal inference, with a particular emphasis on integrating ecological and economic principles.

Donovan holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis (2020) and a B.S. in Physics and Economics from the Rochester Institute of Technology (2015). He teaches courses in environmental economics, econometrics, and natural resource economics, emphasizing causal reasoning and policy design.

His research projects include studying the ecological and economic impacts of dam operations on the Mekong River in Cambodia and the Colorado River via the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. Recent publications explore causal hypothesis visualization, bycatch governance, and cost-effective endangered species management.

Donovan’s work often involves mathematical modeling and dynamic optimization, addressing global challenges like climate change and habitat fragmentation. He prioritizes policy-relevant solutions, such as designing incentives for land conservation and evaluating trade-offs in regulated ecosystems.