*

Sita Khanal

USA, Washington, Pullman, Contact: 509-***-****, adttqf@r.postjobfree.com

SKILLS: STATA, Python, R, SQL, Git, Conda, Cloud computing -Proficient Mathematica, SAS - Working knowledge

Machine Learning (Python and R) - Proficient

Scala, Tableau - Actively learning

Text Editor Proficiency (LATEX, Word)

Machine learning expertise: Regression, Classification, Clustering, Linear Models, Logistic Regression, GBM, Fixed Effects and Random Effects Models, Causal Trees and ML Methods for Causal Inference, Random Forests, Artificial Neural Networks, LASSO, Ridge Regression, Support Vector Machines.

Econometrics expertise: Time series analysis, Panel data methods, Causal inference, Discrete choice modeling, Predictive and Quantitative Analytics. Statistics expertise: Monte Carlo simulation, optimization (both constrained and unconstrained), EM algorithm and its variations applied to mixed-effects models, Markov chain Monte Carlo methods and its numerous applications, and bootstrap and randomization methods.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Economics, Washington State University 2020 – present Classes: Econometrics Series (Predictive Models, Linear Models, Time Series), Data Science and Machine Learning, Statistical Theory, Macroeconomics, Causal Inference, Applied Microeconomics, Industrial Organization, Game Theory. GPA: 3.70, I passed a Ph.D. qualifying exam with distinction on the first attempt. M.S. in Statistics, Washington State University 2020 – present Classes: Time Series Analysis, Analysis of Variance of Designed Experiments, Econometrics Series and Machine Learning, Advanced Statistical Theory, Bayesian Statistics.

M.S. in Agricultural Economics, New Mexico State University Jan 2019 – Aug 2020 Specialization: Applied Econometrics, Microeconomics, and Statistics. Thesis: Economic Impact of Producing guar and guayule in the Southwest United State. GPA: 4

M.Sc. in Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab, India 2015 – 2017 Specialization: Crop Science and Economics, Statistics, Molecular Biology. Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Ag), Tribhuvan University, Nepal 2010 – 2014 GPA: 3.9, Percentage Scale: 82.40, Passed with Distinction Intermediate in Science (Mathematics and Sciences) 2007 – 2009 2

PUBLICATIONS

1. Economic and environmental analyses of incorporating guar into the American southwest, with Summers, H. M., Sproul, E., Seavert, C., Angadi, S., Robbs, J., ... Quinn, J. C, Agricultural Systems, 191, 103146 (2021).

2. Integrating environmental and social impacts into the optimal design of guayule and guar supply chains, with Vazquez, D. A. Z., Sun, O., Fan, N., Sproul, E., Summers, H. M., Quinn, J. C., Evancho, B., Computers Chemical Engineering, 146, 107223 (2021). 3. Integrated techno-economic and environmental analysis of guayule rubber production, with Sproul, E., Summers, H. M., Seavert, C., Robbs, J., Mealing, V., … Quinn, J.C., Journal of Cleaner Production, 273, 122811 (2020). 4. Identification and Biochemical Characterization of resistance against downy mildew in Snapmelon, with Sekhon, P.S., Astha., Indian Phytopathol, 70(3):342-346 (2017). 5. Identification and Biochemical Characterization of resistance against downy mildew in Pumpkin, with Sekhon, P.S., Astha, and Sharma, S.P., Plant Research Journal, Punjab Agricultural University (2017).

WORKING PAPERS

1. “Respiratory Admission and Medical Cost of Wildfire: Evidence from Changes in Wind Direction in Washington” with Bidisha Mandal.

2. “Causal Impact of Natural Gas Flaring on Crop Yield in the United States”. 3. “Returns to Schooling; Revisiting the Role of Education on Farm Income, Wealth, and Food Security on the Developing Countries.” with Apar G C. 4. “How Cover Crops Improve the Air Quality and Reduce the Respiratory Admission in the United States” with Michael Brady.

5. “Does air pollution lead to road accidents? Evidence from California” with Apar G C. 6. “The causal effect of acute air pollution on crime: evidence from local wind direction variations” with Apar G C

7. “Causally relating air pollution to crop yield and farm productivity in the USA” with Apar G C

8. “Competition and innovation in a competing polluting industry” with Apar G C. CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

1. Challenges and Opportunities of Industrial Hemp in the Western U.S. 2020 WAEA Conference and Symposium. Organizers: Paul Gutierrez (NMSU); Maryfrances Miller

(NMSU); Madhav Regmi (NMSU); and Sita Khanal (NMSU) Panelists: Paul Gutierrez

(NMSU); Randy Fortenbery (WSU); Maryfrances Miller (NMSU); Dawn Thillmany McFadden (CSU).

2. Sita Khanal, Clark Seavert, Paul Gutierrez, Trent Teegerstrom, Jason Quinn, Hailey Summers, Evan Sproul…., Apar G C. (2020) "Economic Impacts of Alternative Crops Production: Guar and Guayule in the Southwest. Conference Poster Presentation at Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. (2020). 3. Sita Khanal, C. Seavert, P. Gutierrez, and T. Teegerstrom. (2019). The economic potential of producing guayule in the Southwest. Conference poster on Association for the Advancement of the Industrial Crops. Page 60.

4. Sit Khanal, J. Robbs, R. Acharya, and P. Gutierrez. (2019). Import demand and potential for domestic production of guar. Conference paper on Association for the Advancement of the Industrial Crops. Page 41.

3

5. Clark Seavert, Trent Teegerstrom, Paul Gutierrez, and Sita Khanal. (2019). Whole farm analysis tool for evaluating the adoption of guayule and guar into Southwest producer’s current operation. Conference paper on Association for the Advancement of the Industrial Crops. Page 38.

6. Quinn, Jason; Summers, Hailey; Sproul, Evan; Seavert, Clark; Teegerstrom, Trent; Gutierrez, Paul; Robbs, Joram; Khanal, Sita; Mealing, VeeAnder; Landis, Amy; Fan, Neng; Sun, Ou; Zuniga Vazquez, Daniel Alberto (2020). Integrated Economic and Environmental Analysis of Emerging Industrial Crops in Arid Regions of the Southwest United States. 2020 International Symposium on Sustainable Systems Technology

(ISSST).

WORK EXPERIENCE

1. Research and Teaching Assistant at Washington State University Fall 2020 – present School of Economic Sciences Endowment for Sustainable Development (ESD) fellow Summer 2022 - present

• Awarded full-time fellowship to work on my research proposal “The causal impact of natural gas flaring on crop yields”.

Research Assistant Summer 2022 – present

• Working on applied econometrics and causal inference research with Dr. Michael Brady.

Sole Instructor of Record

• EconS 323: Labor Economics Spring 2022

Teaching Assistant

• EconS 101: Introduction to Microeconomics Fall 2021 Research Assistant Summer 2021

• I assisted Dr. Bidisha Mandal on her research project “Unemployment and labor force participation during the Great Recession.”

Teaching Assistant

• EconS 102: Fundamentals of Macroeconomics Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 2. Research Assistant at New Mexico State University 2019 – Fall 2020 Research Assistant

• Project: Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions (SBAR).

• Worked closely with Dr. Paul H Gutierrez, Dr. Calrk Seavert, and Trent Teegerstrom on the Sustainability, Outreach, and extension part of the SBAR.

• Initiated the economics (cost-benefit analysis) and implemented an IMPLAN Input-Output model for the production of two alternative crops

(Guar and Guayule in Southwest U.S.)

4

3. Data Scientist and Business Analyst 2013 & 2016 (Fixed Term, 4 months each)

• Data Scientist at the Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI)’s livelihood project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Development, Nepal (2016).

• Data analyst and data collector at LIBIRD, Nepal (2013). FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND AWARDS

1. 2022 SES, WSU Sustainable Development Fellowships from Jonathan Yoder to work on the “Natural gas flaring and crop yield” in the United States. 2. Best Research Award with Trent Teegerstrom, Clark Seavert, and Paul Gutierrez (2019) on

‘Whole farm analysis tool for evaluating the adoption of guayule and guar into Southwest producer’s current operation’. Conference on Association for the Advancement of the Industrial Crops held at Tucson, Arizona, USA.

3. Student Travel Grant Award, 2019. Conference on Association for the Advancement of the Industrial Crops held at Tucson, Arizona, USA. 4. Selected for Indian Embassy Fellowship, sponsored by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR- DARE), India, for M.Sc. Plant Pathology (2015-2017). 5. Top Merit List Scholarship and Tuition Waiver (B.Sc. Agriculture), IAAS, TU, July 2010 – June 2014.

6. Higher School Educational Board (HSEB), Full Scholarship for Intermediate in Science degree at Kathmandu Model College, Kathmandu, Nepal. Rank 1 in Biology Section.

VOLUNTARY EXPERIENCES

• Blood Donation Program, Volunteer and Donor, Lamjung Campus, IAAS, TU, 2013.

MEMBERSHIPS: Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC), Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA), Agricultural Economics Sam’s Club, ACES- NMSU.

REFERENCES

Bidisha Mandal, Ph.D. Paul H Gutierrez, Ph.D.

School of Economic Sciences AEAB

Washington State University New Mexico State University Pullman, WA 99164-6210 USA Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003 USA Office Phone:509-***-**** Office Phone:575-***-**** Email: adttqf@r.postjobfree.com Email: adttqf@r.postjobfree.com

Contact this candidate