My main research interests revolve around agricultural and environmental economics. Please look at my Google Scholar profile for a list of my academic publications. In my LinkedIN profile you can find a complete list of my outreach and academic publications. Below in this page, you can read about a selected list of forthcoming (FC) and working (WP) papers. Thank you.
Marine Protected Areas in Ireland LIFE project 2030.
Coming soon.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Chino Basin in California.
Coming soon.
The Economic Value of Family Labor and Ag-Training on Irish Farms (R&R).
Abstract. Family labour plays a crucial role in the sustainability and viability of farms. This research estimates the shadow wage of unpaid family labor and examines its substitutability with hired labor in Irish dairy farms. We use a panel dataset from 2005 to 2019, applying a two-step production function and a semi-parametric panel-censored model to estimate shadow wages while accounting for market imperfections. Our findings suggest that the average shadow wage for family labor is approximately €27 per hour, significantly exceeding market wages. The findings highlight the influence of formal agricultural education, with higher educational attainment correlating with increased shadow wages. Finally, the relationship between shadow wages and hired labour demand suggests a substitution effect, particularly in labor-intensive tasks, with a stronger impact on casual labour.
Access the WP here.
Economic Feasibility of Solar-driven Hydrogen Photoelectrochemical Systems: Insights from a Real Options Analysis (WP).
Abstract. Hydrogen is an important energy carrier in the global transition to renewable energy. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactors, which integrate photovoltaic and electrochemical processes, offer a promising pathway for solar-driven hydrogen production. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of a PEC reactor using a Real Options Analysis (ROA) framework. We use data from a life cycle assessment, future cost projections, and environmental externalities to assess investment viability under uncertainty. Results indicate that, without policy incentives, PEC reactors face financial challenges due to high upfront costs. However, auction mechanisms that provide premium payments for hydrogen production significantly enhance their economic attractiveness. Lastly, the sensitivity analysis underscores operational costs and energy output as key risk factors.
Access the WP here.
Economic and Animal Health Implications of the NewWorld Screwworm Resurgence in the Americas (WP).
Abstract. This study examines the recent resurgence of the New World Screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax, a parasitic fly that feeds on the living tissue of livestock, wildlife, and occasionally humans. The 2024–2025 outbreak in southern Mexico resulted in severe economic and animal health losses, including reduced milk yields, weight loss, high treatment costs, and trade restrictions. Using an input–output model, we estimate that a localized outbreak could reduce sector output by $18.3 million, eliminate over 80 full-time jobs, and result in $6.7 million in lost income across cattle, feed, and processing sectors. The paper also reviews the historical eradication efforts via the Sterile Insect Technique, the factors driving reemergence, and current U.S.–Mexico containment strategies, highlighting the urgency of coordinated surveillance and biosecurity measures. Access the WP here.