At AREC, we’re focused on more than just theory. Our research is grounded in real-world impact—addressing today’s most urgent challenges in climate, agriculture, energy, and equity. From Maryland’s working lands to international policy conversations, our faculty bring economics to the table in ways that shape decisions, improve lives, and protect the planet.
Below, you’ll find a few representative projects from across our three core research areas:
Environmental Systems, Development & Equity, and Sustainable Agriculture & Business.
Together, they reflect the depth and reach of our work—and how AREC connects big ideas to practical solutions.
Environmental Systems
Understanding the economics of climate and natural resource management AREC researchers in this area use data-driven models to explore how policies and institutions influence environmental outcomes. Their work informs strategies that improve climate resilience, promote biodiversity, and guide smart management of land and water systems.
Becky Epanchin-Niell
Saltwater Intrusion and Coastal Adaptation
Becky studies how climate-driven sea level rise is causing saltwater to contaminate freshwater systems on Maryland’s Eastern Shore—threatening ecosystems, drinking water, and farmland. Her interdisciplinary research explores how agricultural land use is shifting in response, including transitions out of corn production and even out of farming altogether. This work helps decision-makers plan for coastal resilience and develop strategies that balance environmental protection with rural livelihoods.
Josh Linn
Trade Policy, Emissions, and the U.S. Vehicle Market
Josh examines how tariffs on vehicle imports and components affect consumer welfare, firm profitability, and the environment. His research reveals that while tariffs may marginally increase domestic manufacturing, they raise vehicle prices and reduce overall sales—ultimately harming consumers far more than they benefit producers. By modeling these complex policy tradeoffs, Josh’s work equips policymakers with the tools to design smarter regulations that balance economic and environmental outcomes.
Development & Equity
Exploring how policies and institutions shape human well-being
This research area focuses on the systems that drive access to resources, services, and opportunities. AREC faculty assess how governance, norms, and policy interventions influence income, health, education, and equity—especially in communities most affected by environmental change.
Anna Alberini
The Economic Value of Environmental Health Policies
Anna evaluates how environmental policies influence health outcomes and economic equity, particularly in communities facing higher risks from pollution or poor infrastructure. Her work connects environmental protections with tangible social and public health benefits.
Jim Archsmith
Decision Fatigue and High-Stakes Accuracy in Baseball and Beyond
Jim’s research explores how attention, effort, and stress influence human decision-making. Using data from over 3 million MLB umpire calls, he finds that accuracy improves in high-pressure situations—but also that mental fatigue builds over time. Umpires conserve focus early in games and perform best when stakes are highest, shedding light on how professionals manage limited cognitive resources under pressure. These insights into attention management have broader implications for workplace productivity, performance, and policy design.
Sustainable Agriculture & Business
Improving the resilience and sustainability of food and farming systems
AREC’s work in this area addresses the economic forces shaping agriculture, food systems, and rural livelihoods. Faculty research supports evidence-based tools for managing risk, conserving land, and ensuring long-term productivity.
Erik Lichtenberg
Managing Land for Pollinator Health and Agricultural Sustainability
Erik’s USDA-funded research examines how to balance food production with preserving wild pollinator habitats. As native bees and insects face growing threats, his team is mapping the tradeoffs of setting land aside for conservation versus crop use. The goal: to guide policies that support both pollination services and long-term agricultural resilience.
Louis Preonas
Groundwater and Climate Adaptation in U.S. Agriculture
Louis’s USDA-funded project investigates how farmers rely on groundwater to adapt to extreme heat, and what that means for long-term water sustainability. By analyzing irrigation patterns, climate projections, and crop insurance data, his research helps policymakers understand how groundwater use evolves under climate stress—and how to protect this critical resource for the future of farming.
