Helene Purcell recently graduated with her PhD in Economics from Fordham University and her research interests lie at the intersection of development economics, environmental economics, and human capital accumulation using applied econometric techniques.

Her recent research has explored the impact of natural disasters on risk preferences in Indonesia as well as the efficacy of a technology intervention for pastoralists in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Helene grew up on the Jersey Shore and received a BS in Economics and International Business from Villanova University in 2011.