PhD in Economics

Our doctoral graduates continue to receive offers to join our nation’s leading universities such as Harvard University, University of Wisconsin, Brown University, Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, Purchase College, Hillsdale College, Weber State University, Middlebury College, Emory University – among many others. 

Preston Cooper

Preston Cooper, 2023

PhD in Economics

Dr. Preston Cooper is recognized by his department for his outstanding contributions in economic history, particularly his research on human capital and economic development. His work has not only advanced academic scholarship but has also contributed to the debate on education policy in the U.S.

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Chandler Reilly

Chandler Reilly, 2023

PhD in Economics

During his time at George Mason University, Chandler taught several courses, published numerous academic papers, and presented his work extensively at conferences and workshops.

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Rachael Behr

Rachael Behr, 2022

PhD in Economics

During her time at GMU, Rachael has taught several courses, published numerous academic papers, and presented her work extensively at conferences and workshops.

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Anne Blas

Anne Blas, 2022

PhD in Economics

Anne was selected for the college’s 3-Minute Thesis Competition (April 2022) and presented on "Monopoly and Sharecropper Suppression after the U.S. Civil War." Anne recently began teaching at one of the U.S. intelligence schools.

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Brian Bonis

Brian Bonis, 2021

PhD in Economics

Brian was a part-time enrolled student while working full-time at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors as Assistant Director, Federal Open Market Committee Secretariat, Division of Monetary Affairs.

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Nathan Goodman

Nathan Goodman, 2021

PhD in Economics

An exceptional scholar and teacher who published numerous academic journal articles, and presented extensively, including delivering a speech at a conference covered by C-Span.

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Jian Song

Jian Song, 2021

Applying her quantitative skills to economic thinking, Jian Song has been actively involved in solving economic problems through experiments.

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Peter Jacobsen

Peter Jacobsen, 2020

PhD, Economics, 2020

Designed and taught four classes while publishing multiple papers in academic journals throughout his doctoral program, and became an Assistant Professor of Economics and the Gwartney Professor of Economic Education and Research at the Gwartney Institute at Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS.

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Rosolino Candela

Rosolino Candela, 2017

Postdoctoral Research Associate and Lecturer, Department of Economics at Brown University

Rosolino is currently works at Brown University and recently was a Visiting Professor of Economics at Universidad Franscisco Marroquin in Guatemala. His research interests include Austrian Economics, Virginia Political Economy, and New Institutional Economics.

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Abigail Hall Blanco

Abigail Hall Blanco, 2015

Associate Professor of Economics, University of Tampa

Professor Abigail Hall Blanco's work focuses on topics surrounding the U.S. military and national defense. She has worked on issues including domestic police militarization, arm sales, weapons as foreign aid, imperialism, and whistleblowers.

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Liya Palagashvili

Liya Palagashvili, 2015

Assistant Professor of Economics at SUNY-Purchase College (New York)

Professor Palagashvili's research is in law and economics, political economy, development economics, and entrepreneurship. Her current interests are on regulations impacting tech startups, the policy responses to the 2008 financial crisis, and various U.S. labor laws. Professor Palagashvili was recently selected as a Forbes 2016 '30 under 30' in Law and Policy.

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Christopher Coyne

Christopher Coyne, 2005

2017 Spring Distinguished Alumni - Economics

We are very proud to include Christopher Coyne among our faculty members at George Mason University; he is an associate professor of economics, and is the director of graduate programs in the economics department.

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Scott Beaulier

Scott Beaulier, 2004

Bringing a balanced perspective to business education

As dean of the College of Business at North Dakota State University, Scott Beaulier uses his experience in Mason's economics masters and doctoral programs to solve the wide variety of challenges that accompany his leadership role.

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Benjamin Powell

Benjamin Powell, 2003

2019 Distinguished Alumni - Economics

Benjamin Powell is the Executive Director of the Free Market Institute at Texas Tech University, where he is a Professor of Economics in the Rawls College of Business. He is a Senior Fellow with The Independent Institute, and is the secretary-treasurer of the Southern Economic Association and the Association of Private Enterprise Education.

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Virgil Storr

Virgil Storr, 2003

2021 Distinguished Alumni - Economics

Virgil Storr is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University. He is also the vice president for academic and student programs at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

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Gary M.  Shiffman

Gary M. Shiffman, 2002

2022 Distinguished Alumni - Economics

Gary Shiffman is an economist who works to counter coercion and organized violence and to support others who do the same.

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