Skip to main content

Using AI to improve the environmental and nutritional efficacy of food subsidies

Food consumption is a key lever for enhancing human health and environmental sustainability on earth. Our goal in this research is to better understand and find effective approaches to jointly alleviate malnutrition and climate-change outcomes in developing countries. In-kind food subsidies are a primary policy intervention in economically underprivileged communities. However, despite the proven efficacy of machine learning and data analytics in various industries, these technologies have not been widely adopted to enhance the design and impact of such subsidies. We aim to bridge this gap: this study develops a method to design nutrition- and climate-targeted food programs i.e., we algorithmically decide which foods to subsidize to maximize the nutrition value and minimize the carbon footprint of a subsidy program. This project builds on extensive field data collection in an underserved community in India, which comprises a randomized controlled trial, collection of large-scale point-of-sale transaction data, and survey data. Our methodology will combine a predictive choice model based on machine learning techniques and an optimization algorithm. Through this research, we aim to offer policymakers a tangible, data-driven pathway to refine food subsidy schemes, achieving healthier populations and a reduced carbon footprint.

The undergraduate RA is expected to have strong proficiency in coding, and basic understanding of statistics and/or econometrics.

I am interested in political psychology and how cognition affects foreign policy in South Asia. I am looking to develop a project within these interests.

Previously, I have worked in centers research education psychology and policy. I have particularly worked on a project analyzing the psychological effects of rhetoric education in secondary school curriculum.  

Outside of UScholars, I am involved in Penn Democrats (got to meet Kamala Harris, John Legend, many other cool people through advocacy work!) and the International Affairs Association. I also work at the Netter Center for Community Partnership's High School Voter Project as a school site coordinator. I love to sing, and I am trained in South Indian classical music--I'm looking forward to getting involved with some music groups on campus as well.

Academic Major(s): Political Science, Psychology
Nikhil Pochana

I am curious about the effectiveness of government interventions in the economy to promote sustainable behaviour. For me, efficiency in this field includes not only gains in social welfare and the amount of tax revenue collected, but also real impact on the environment measured by decrease in rate of Earth’s atmospheric temperatures’ growth, for example. I have already investigated the Irish government’s policies to decrease emission of greenhouse gasses, in particular carbon taxes. During my exploration, I considered mainly economic factors of effectiveness of this intervention such as influence on consumers and producers of fuels and financial perks for the government. As an extension of this paper, I completed the Sciences Po course about politics and economics of International Energy to enhance my comprehension of this complex topic. When I was preparing my research, I realized that individual organizations and their actions play a crucial role in green transition and economic development overall. In the future, I want to focus my research on the intersection of Environmental Economics and Theory of Firm. By combining these fields, I will be able to better understand all aspects of economic decision-making concerning environmental action.

Academic Major(s): Business Economics and Public Policy
Eva Lititskaia

I am interested in linguistics and language—particularly the relationship between language, thought, cognition, behavior, and decision-making. I am also interested in the historical role of literature in shaping language and languages in shaping literary traditions, as well as the impact of linguistic interaction across national and sociological barriers.

Academic Major(s): Linguistics
Isabelle Chapman

My research interests focus on voting trends, presidential elections, and the psychology behind how voters choose candidates and how candidates succeed in winning elections. I am particularly interested in understanding the patterns that drive electoral decisions and how campaign strategies resonate with diverse voter demographics. Previously, I conducted research titled "We Hate Female Rage: A Feminist Deep Dive Into Why Feminine Rage is Villainized Across Literature," examining the "angry woman" archetype in literature, revealing feminist themes that frame this anger as a response to societal constraints, thus highlighting external causes rather than internal flaws. Currently, I am applying similar analytic skills to investigate voter behaviors, exploring how societal factors and media portrayals impact voter perceptions of candidates. Outside academia, I am actively involved in Bloomer's Comedy as a writer.

Academic Major(s): Political Science
Nathania Antwi

My research interests are primarily related to health equity, and the ways in which people from different demographics have differing access to healthcare. I have previously conducted research establishing a youth-centered decision-making framework for opioid settlement funds in North Carolina. I have also conducted independent research on the effectiveness of healthcare interventions in Ghana.

Academic Major(s): Health and Societies
Oma Nwafor

My research interest lies at the intersection of commercial real estate and the construction industry, specifically in the labor relations process that governs how construction workers engage with contractors, developers, and unions. With the support of the University Scholars program and Dr. Peter Cappelli of the Wharton Management Department, I am currently pursuing independent research on the division of labor and employee relations within Philadelphia's construction industry and their effects on real estate projects. Beyond my research, I am actively involved with the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and the Wharton Management Club.

Academic Major(s): Mathematical Economics, Urban Studies
David Tran

My research interests include the fields of anthropology, sociology, neuroscience, psychology, and legal studies. Generally, I am interested in exploring why humans act the way that we do, on both the macro and micro levels. Anthropology and sociology allow me to look at the big picture, at cultural and societal forces that shape our thinking and behavior, while neuroscience and psychology allow me to do the same at an individual, biological basis. I am interested in conducting research that blends all of these areas, in addition to separately exploring the rule of law. In the past, I have worked on research papers centered on the neuroscience of addiction, developmental psychology, cross-cultural emotion expression, and literary theory. Outside of UScholars, I am a part of the Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn Moot Court, the Penn Review, and the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal.

Academic Major(s): Anthropology
Erica Jiang

I am currently interested in researching the political history of East and Southeast Asia, especially after the 1911 revolution that led to the establishment of the Republic of China. In particular, I am intrigued by the historical development of language policy in the Greater China region and its effects on governments’ political power and ethnic minority regions. To support my research goals, I studied Mandarin Chinese through the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth and through the Intensive Chinese course sequence at Penn. 

With the support of the University Scholars Program and the mentorship of Dr. Chih-Jen Lee, I will be undertaking further Chinese language study during the summer of 2025 through the Princeton in Beijing program. During my summer in China, I aim to develop more advanced language fluency in preparation for historical research. In addition to my research interests and language studies, I help foster alumni engagement as a Penn Traditions Philanthropy Committee member and advocate for the work of the United Nations as a Freshman Representative for Penn’s United Nations Association of the U.S.A. (UNA-USA) chapter.

Academic Major(s): History, East Asian Languages and Civilizations
Phillip Nguyen

My research interests are centered on the intersection of policy and development economics, with a focus on how legislation has impacted people in rural areas. Specifically, I am interested in how it has affected income inequality and access to essential services. Currently, I am a member of the Nominations and Elections Committee (a branch of Penn Student Government) and The Forum (a branch of Penn Government & Politics Association).

Academic Major(s): Economics
Stephanie Mendoza-Moreno
Subscribe to Social Science