What kind of research projects are you involved in this summer at CHIBE?

I work as a research assistant for the Psychology of Eating and Consumer Health (PEACH) Lab on a study examining the impact of Philadelphia's sugar-sweetened beverage tax, which went into effect in January. I'm working on the longitudinal arm of the study, which has been following about 300 participants since last December to see how their beverage purchasing has changed in response to the tax. I've also helped a little with the cross-sectional arm of the study, traveling to smaller stores around the city to see how their prices have been affected by the tax.

How did you become interested in behavioral economics? Have you taken any coursework as part of your major at Penn that connects to this area of study? 

Last fall, I took a class on behavioral economics and psychology that was part of the Psychology, Politics and Economics major, and it made me realize how powerful small nudges can be in shaping behavior. At the same time I was also taking classes on political theory and social psychology, and I couldn't believe how much the three overlapped. I added a second major in psychology because I want to focus on the social and behavioral influences on decision-making - especially decisions related to health and well-being.

What are your future career goals? How do they relate to your work at the PEACH Lab?

I'm going into my junior year at Penn right now, so my short-term plan is to pursue a Master of Public Health after college, but I'd also like to go back for my Ph.D. in either psychology or behavioral economics later on. Ultimately, I want to help people make healthier decisions by shaping the environment they're making decisions in -whether that's through a career in research, public policy, or even law. Working for the PEACH Lab this summer has pushed me toward research, because I see how influential this work could be in shaping future policy.