5th annual New Mexico Economics Research Day set for Aug. 14

The University of New Mexico Department of Economics will highlight four different state-specific economic research projects during its annual New Mexico Economics Research Day, on Friday, Aug. 14 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The free event will be held in the Economics building.

Following opening remarks from Matías Fontenla, chair of the Department of Economics and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez, four presentations exploring the impacts of water use conservation preferences and values, cannabis legalization and the transition from natural gas to electric appliances will be given.

"This day highlights important research done in our department that has a direct impact on New Mexicans," said Fontenla. "It provides critical evidence for decision makers in the state, while at the same time training the future economists that the state very much needs."

2026 Economics Research Day Projects include:

Streetlights and Tradeoffs: Better Understanding Water Use and Values in the Middle Rio Grande Valley
Principal Investigators: Professor Robert Berrens, Economics & John Fleck, writer in residence, Utton Center UNM SOL
Graduate student assistants: Stephania Alarcon Alcala, Samuel Asare
Faculty reviewer: Associate Professor Benjamin Jones

Cannabis Legalization and Commercial Driver Availability
Principal Investigators: Assistant Professor Xiaoxue Li and Associate Professor Sarah Stith, Economics
Graduate student assistant: Jinyang Liu
Undergraduate student assistants: Izuru Hayama, Rodney Kennedy
Faculty reviewer: Associate Professor Yuting Yang

Agricultural Water Users' Preferences for Water Conservation in the Middle Rio Grande Basin
Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Jingjing Wang
Graduate student assistants: Jane Sawerengera, Sujaan Aryal
Undergraduate student assistants: Anna Cao, Jason Sanchez Hernandez
Faculty reviewer: Associate Professor Sarah Stith

Pathway to Zero Natural Gas: Understanding the Transition from Natural Gas to Electric Appliances in LADPU Households
Principal Investigator: Assistant Professor Yuting Yang
Graduate student assistants: Jiaqing Zhao, Ahmed Amine Jawhari, Ben Cornelius
Undergraduate student assistant: Chloe Sullivan
Faculty reviewer: Professor Robert Berrens

The authors would like to acknowledge the annual line of research grant funding in the UNM Department of Economics originated as Research and Special Projects (RPSP) funding to the department from the NM state legislature.

For more information and to register, visit 5th annual New Mexico Economics Research Day.