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17th Annual Economics Scholars Program Conference for Undergraduate Research

October 20, 2023

Dallas

The Economics Scholars Program (ESP) was a collaborative effort between Austin College and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to foster the involvement of undergraduate economics students in all facets of research.
Agenda
9:15 a.m. Check in
9:45 a.m. Opening remarks, auditorium, peer review board recognition
  • Tamara Redic-Cottrell, Outreach Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  Session 1A Session 1B
  Southwestern Room Navarro Room
  Session chair:
Krish Patel, Austin College 		Session chair:
Siddhartha Mishra, Austin Community College
10:00 a.m. “Comparisons of WACC and Hurricane-Risk: A Comprehensive Study” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Wesley Champion, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Discussant: Margaret Beisenbek, Bentley University
 “The Influence of COVID-19 and Recession on Induced Seismicity in Texas” | Abstract
  • Presenters: Nazmun Samiya, Constantinos Skevofilax, The University of Texas at Austin
  • Discussant: Jinxin Tian, Boston University
10:30 a.m. “Is the Environment Injust?: An Econometric Analysis of the Relationship Between Income and Air Quality” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Beth Felkner, University of Oklahoma
  • Discussant: Diep Ho, Texas Christian University
 “A Study of the Economic Viability and the Potential Macroeconomic Effects of a Domestic Biodiesel Industry in Dakar, Senegal“ | Abstract
  • Presenter: Khalil Gueye, Wake Forest University
  • Discussant: Pritika Sthotakura, Austin College
  Session 2A Session 2B
  Southwestern Room Navarro Room
  Session chair:
Arianna Villarreal, Dallas College 		Session chair:
Nyssa Galatas, The University of Texas at Dallas
11:00 a.m. “Impact of Student Financial Aid, Labor Costs, and Government Appropriations on College Tuition from 2018-19 to 2020-21” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Jinxin Tian, Boston University
  • Discussant: Ebenezer Thompson, Pitzer College
 “Women’s Employment on GDP“ | Abstract
  • Presenter: Alexander Martinez, University of Oklahoma
  • Discussant: Sidh Pandit, The University of Texas at Austin
11:30 a.m. “Labor Outcomes for International Students: Citizenship Wage Gap in US Higher Education Institutions” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Ali Abdullah, University of Oklahoma
  • Discussant: Marleni Ruiz-Gorostieta, Austin College
 “The Phillips Curve in Japan: A Regional Perspective” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Taiyo Ueda, Texas Christian University
  • Discussant: Asier Quiroga, Austin College
Noon Lunch
Keynote presentation
  • Ashley Tharayil Ph.D., Chair of Economics and Business Administration, Austin College
Let's Talk Internships
  • Dameka Stringer, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Internship Program Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  Session 3A Session 3B
  Southwestern Room Navarro Room
  Session chair:
Myles Lopez-Cepero, Austin Community College 		Session chair:
Luis Mata, University of North Texas at Dallas
1:30 p.m. “PCA Analysis: A Tool to Help Explain the “Inconvenience Yield” in the Context of the Negative Swap Spread?” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Margaret Beisenbek, Bentley University
  • Discussant: Saul Covarrubias, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
 “Minimum Wages and Economic Outcomes for Low Income Americans” | Abstract
  • Presenters: Isabel Vargas, Kristina Krichmaryov, Yash Navadiya, Pace University
  • Discussant: Sakina Jaffrey, The University of Texas at Austin
2:00 p.m. “Relationship Between Public Debt and the Strength of the Dollar” | Abstract
  • Presenters: Marvin Henry, Jacqueline Wong, Pace University
  • Discussant: Jackson Owen, University of Alabama
 “Examining The Effect of Education and Income as Socio-Economic Indictors of Life Expectancy” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Quinton Ely, University of North Carolina
  • Discussant: Jarad Ponce, University of Mary Washington
2:30 p.m. Break/poster session | Abstracts
  • Hector Lopez
  • Victor Vasnetsov, Catherine Vasnetsov
  Session 4A Session 4B
  Southwestern Room Navarro Room
  Session chair:
Zeynep Bilginan, De Anza College 		Session chair:
Mehar Sharma, The University of Texas at Austin
3:00 p.m. “An Automated Dual-Module Pipeline for Stock Prediction: Integrating N-Perception Period Power Strategy and NLP-Driven Sentiment Analysis for Enhanced Forecasting Accuracy and Investor Insight” | Abstract
  • Presenters: Archit Thanikella, Siddhant Singh, Collin College
  • Discussant: Ali Abdullah, University of Oklahoma
 “How Has Income Impacted Opioid Overdoses?” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Peter Lermo, University of Mary Washington
  • Discussant: Tanya Gonzalez, Austin College
3:30 p.m. “Maximizing NFL Rookie contracts following the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement ” | Abstract
  • Presenter: McKenna Moore, Pace University
  • Discussant: Fabiana Gomez, Austin College
 “The Sidewalk Effect: The Effect of Sidewalks on Home Prices in Fredericksburg, Va.” | Abstract
  • Presenter: Jarad Ponce, University of Mary Washington
  • Discussant: Katelyn Hutchins, University of Oklahoma
4:00 p.m. Closing Remarks, Auditorium