By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University is expanding its Department of Economics with the addition of five new faculty members who bring expertise in agricultural economics, trade, environmental policy, cooperatives, livestock markets, and crop management. Four professors will join the department this month, while another will begin in January 2027. The university also plans to search for an additional faculty member specializing in agricultural processing.
The new appointments reflect Iowa State University's commitment to strengthening research, teaching, and extension programs that support agriculture and rural communities. The faculty members will contribute through classroom instruction, research projects, and outreach activities that provide valuable information to farmers and industry stakeholders.
“We are very excited to have five such talented economists joining us at Iowa State,” said Peter Orazem, interim chair of the Department of Economics. “They will be adding to our long tradition of informing farmers and the citizens of Iowa about the current state of the agricultural economy and of the factors shaping rural incomes in the future.”
The new faculty members include Rania Lachhab, assistant professor, who specializes in energy and water quality. Her research focuses on agricultural economics, environmental economics, development economics, and applied econometrics. She previously worked as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.
Sunghun Lim, associate professor of economics, joins the department with expertise in agricultural trade and policy. His background includes leadership roles in research programs and extensive experience in agricultural economics and global value chains.
Edward Perry, associate professor and Albert Peterson and Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Endowed Chair in Economics, will focus on cooperatives, supply chains, and finance. He returns to Iowa State after serving on the faculty at Kansas State University. His work will help cooperatives address challenges such as globalization, technological advancements, and changing consumer demands.
Zach Raff, assistant professor, will join the department in January 2027. His focus areas include livestock markets, management, environmental regulation, and precision agriculture. He will support Iowa livestock producers through extension and outreach efforts.
Guang Tian, assistant professor, has expertise in crop markets and farm management. He brings valuable experience in grain market outreach and will help farmers make informed decisions about farm operations and marketing strategies.
“These faculty members will help Iowa farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities navigate complex economic challenges, turning trusted, science-based insights into practical applications,” said Jason Henderson, vice president for extension and outreach and professor of economics at Iowa State. “Through ISU Extension and Outreach, their work will connect world-class research to the critical decisions that strengthen Iowa agriculture and rural communities.”
With these additions, Iowa State University aims to enhance its ability to provide research-based solutions and economic guidance for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities across Iowa and beyond.
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Categories: Iowa, Education