Nathaly Villavicencio
Sep 26, 2025
Connecting research, policy, and peers: An NDSU scholar’s experience at Berkeley.
Yasin Yildirim, a Ph.D. student at NDSU’s Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies (CAPTS), recently took part in the 2025 Berkeley/Sloan Summer School in Environmental and Energy Economics at the University of California, Berkeley.
The highly competitive program, held August 18–22 and funded by the Sloan Foundation, brings together some of the most promising Ph.D. students from across North America to explore cutting-edge research in environmental and energy economics.
Throughout the week, Yasin engaged in lively discussions with leading scholars and peers about the future of the field. The program not only deepened his expertise but also expanded his professional network, connections that will continue to shape his dissertation and career trajectory.
Reflecting on the experience, Yasin noted:
“I had a great week at the Summer School in Environmental and Energy Economics at UC Berkeley. I had the chance to learn about new directions in environmental and energy economics from some of the top researchers in the field. I also connected with Ph.D. students from across North America.”
Yasin’s selection highlights both his academic excellence and CAPTS’s commitment to preparing the next generation of agricultural economists and policy leaders. His participation also underscores NDSU’s growing presence in global conversations on sustainability and energy economics.