Assist Prof Dr. Anubhab Gupta | Social Impact | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Anubhab Gupta | Social Impact – Virginia Tech | United States

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INTRODUCTION

Dr. Anubhab Gupta is an accomplished development economist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech. His research and policy work lie at the intersection of applied development economics, general equilibrium modeling, and rural transformation. With deep engagement in global issues such as food security, refugee economies, and climate vulnerability, Dr. Gupta’s work spans continents and contributes to both academic advancement and practical policy design.

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Gupta’s academic journey began in India and expanded internationally. He earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis in 2019. Prior to that, he completed an M.S. in Applied Economics from The University of Arizona (2013), an M.A. in Economics from Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi (2010), and a B.Sc. (Honors) in Economics from the University of Calcutta (2008). This diverse academic foundation has shaped his global outlook and multidisciplinary approach to solving real-world economic challenges.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Gupta’s career features a dynamic blend of academic leadership and international consulting. Since 2020, he has served as a faculty member at Virginia Tech. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Davis. His professional experiences include consulting for renowned organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations FAO, and the World Food Programme. His roles have taken him to field sites in Africa and South Asia, allowing him to apply rigorous economic tools to complex, on-the-ground development issues.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

Dr. Gupta’s research primarily focuses on the economic impacts of displacement, agricultural market imperfections, food security programs, and rural development. He is widely recognized for using local general equilibrium models and field-based evaluations to assess the effectiveness of policies such as cash transfers, refugee aid, and school feeding programs. His empirical methods often incorporate a blend of household survey data, geospatial information, and policy simulations.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

His work has had substantial influence in academic, policy, and humanitarian circles. Dr. Gupta has played a central role in demonstrating the local economic impacts of refugee settlements, such as in Uganda, and has informed policy reforms for cash-based interventions in East Africa and South Asia. He regularly presents his findings at international forums, including keynote addresses, university seminars, and multilateral agency workshops. His insights contribute to better-designed development policies and scalable solutions in vulnerable regions.

ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Gupta has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals including the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, World Development, PLOS One, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Notable publications address issues like the economic impact of giving land to refugees, consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns in remittance regions, and spillover effects of cash transfers. In addition, he has a growing list of working papers and policy publications that contribute to academic debate and practical implementation alike.

HONORS & AWARDS

Throughout his career, Dr. Gupta has been recognized for both his teaching and research excellence. He received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award at UC Davis and the prestigious Erika C.H. Meng Scholarship for Development Policy. At Virginia Tech, he was named a CALS Global Opportunity Initiative (GOI) Fellow, reflecting his commitment to impactful global engagement in agricultural and applied economics.

GRANTS AND FUNDING

Dr. Gupta has successfully secured over $2 million in research funding from agencies such as USAID, USDA NIFA, and the World Food Programme. These grants support projects on themes like climate resilience, youth retention in agriculture, food price volatility, and economic evaluation of school meal programs. His leadership in these initiatives demonstrates his ability to translate research into high-impact, actionable programs.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Gupta’s influence extends to his role as a mentor and advisor to Ph.D. and M.S. students at Virginia Tech. He actively serves on departmental committees and professional organizations like the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. His ongoing work on climate adaptation, food markets, and refugee welfare positions him to be a continued thought leader in the development economics space. His collaborative ethos, field engagement, and commitment to evidence-based policy mark him as a scholar whose legacy will continue to grow.

FINAL NOTE

In a world where food security, climate shocks, and displacement increasingly challenge development progress, Dr. Anubhab Gupta stands out as a scholar deeply attuned to the socioeconomic realities of vulnerable populations. His blend of academic rigor, field immersion, and policy impact makes his work both timely and transformative. As he continues to explore new frontiers in development economics, Dr. Gupta remains a vital contributor to shaping inclusive and resilient global communities.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 

Rural Economy-wide Impacts of Kenya’s Home-Grown School Meals Program”

• • Authors: M. K. Doan, H. Zhu, E. Whitney, M. Filipski, E. Gonzalez-Estrada, D. Ryckembusch, J. E. Taylor

  • Journal: Food Policy

  • Year: Forthcoming

“Impacts of Financial Literacy Training on Refugee Youth Outcomes”

• • Authors: N. Das, C. Mingo, H. Zhu

  • Journal: The Journal of Development Studies

  • Year: 2025

“Economic Impact of Nature-based Tourism”

• • Authors: H. Zhu, H. Bhammar, E. Whitney, M. Filipski, U. Narain, J. E. Taylor

  • Journal: PLOS One

  • Year: 2023 (Volume 18, Issue 4)

“Economic Impacts of Giving Land to Refugees”

• • Authors: H. Zhu, J. E. Taylor, M. Filipski, J. Valli, E. Gonzalez

  • Journal: American Journal of Agricultural Economics

  • Year: 2023

“A Local General-equilibrium Emergency Response Modeling Approach for Sub-Saharan Africa”

• • Authors: M. Filipski, J. Kagin, et al.

  • Journal: Agricultural Economics

  • Year: 2022