Robert Heilmayr

Robert Heilmayr is an Associate Professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, with a joint appointment in the Environmental Studies Program. His work focuses on environmental and ecological economics, integrating causal inference methods with Earth observation data to address global environmental challenges. He holds a PhD in Environment and Resources from Stanford University, alongside an MA in Economics and BA in interdisciplinary environmental studies.

Research emphasizes nonstate governance mechanisms to halt deforestation, leveraging satellite data and econometrics. Key projects include evaluating palm oil supply chains in Indonesia, impacts of Chilean forest policies, and reforestation payment effectiveness. He teaches environmental economics, GIS, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Heilmayr actively engages with policy processes (e.g., IPCC, California Air Resources Board) and media, with research featured in Nature Climate Change and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. His lab explores resource use patterns globally, advocating for evidence-based conservation policies.

Current students include PhD candidates Anna Costola Pede (focusing on environmental economics and land use) and Yifan He (specializing in environmental politics and land governance). His lab collaborates internationally, addressing topics like plantation forestry's ecological trade-offs and drought vulnerability in mesic forests.