By Andi Anderson
Maria Filipa Seara e Pereira didn’t always know she’d end up in economics. Though her father was an economist, she initially found the subject uninteresting during her undergraduate studies.
She later earned a master’s in political science in Portugal, which led to an internship at the Embassy of Portugal in Washington, DC. That experience sparked her interest in economic policy and real-world applications.
Motivated by this exposure, Seara e Pereira pursued another master’s degree in international policy and practice from the George Washington University. She then worked in the trade division at the World Bank, gaining hands-on experience in global economic issues.
In 2022, she began a PhD in agricultural economics at Purdue University. Her research now focuses on climate change, especially how extreme weather events affect agriculture. Her thesis looks at Morocco, a country already facing visible impacts of climate change due to its vulnerable environment and economy.
Seara e Pereira’s work aims to help farmers make better decisions in uncertain climates. She is developing a model that uses future climate scenarios to set clear signals or thresholds.
These indicators will guide farmers on when to switch to more resilient crops. The framework is designed to be practical and adaptable for real-world use.
She is also interested in trade, policy, and computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling. This method uses economic data to simulate how changes in policy, climate, or markets affect an economy.
It supports her larger goal of helping shape smarter agriculture and trade strategies under changing global conditions.
Her journey—from political science and diplomacy to climate research—highlights the importance of flexible thinking and interdisciplinary learning. Today, she combines economics and environmental studies to find solutions that support sustainable farming and economic stability.
Through her research, Seara e Pereira hopes to make a meaningful impact on how farmers adapt to climate change and improve global food security.
Photo Credit: istock-ekkasit919
Categories: Indiana, Business