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Kumar is an applied microeconomist whose 
research focuses on the economics of global 
health and economic development in low- 
and middle-income countries. His research 
examines the causal association between 
child and maternal health, human capital, and 
poverty. Kumar is working on research related 
to the effects of prenatal conditions on birth 
outcomes and human capital accumulation; 
effects of birth endowment, postnatal 
investments; and the effects of access to 
physical infrastructures and microfinance on 
human well-being.
Andersson studies the politics of 
environmental governance with a particular 
focus on local institutional arrangements 
and the role they play in explaining policy 
outcomes. The National Science Foundation, 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, and numerous other agencies 
and private foundations have funded his field-
based  research programs. 
As a development economist, Iyer examines 
the distribution of political power within 
emerging market countries. Iyer co-leads 
the Building Inclusive Growth (BIG) Lab, 
a research center in the Department of 
Economics, that brings together some of 
the world’s best researchers to develop 
innovative, long-lasting solutions to help 
vulnerable populations in developing 
countries.
Miller’s research focuses on international 
environmental politics and policy, exploring 
the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of 
conservation funding in tropical countries and 
how trees and forests contribute to human 
well-being in rural areas worldwide. Miller also 
coordinates the Forests and Livelihoods: 
Assessment, Research, and Engagement 
(FLARE) network. 
Estefan’s research focuses on understanding 
the causes of economic development to 
inform policy decision-making including 
the factors lifting individuals out of poverty 
and the effects of public investments in 
schooling. Estefan’s research approach relies 
on applying rigorous econometric techniques 
to uncover the crucial causal mechanisms 
underlying economic development by 
analyzing longitudinal datasets and 
structural theory. 
Winters’ research focuses on rural poverty 
and food insecurity, and the evaluation of 
policies and programs addressing these issues. 
He formerly served as Associate Vice President 
of Strategy and Knowledge, and Director 
of Research and Impact Assessment at the 
International Fund for Agricultural Development 
in Rome. Winters is a member of the Food 
System Economics Commission, an independent 
academic commission supporting policy with 
research on sustainable food systems.
Krister Andersson
Notre Dame Professor of Sustainable 
Development
Alejandro Estefan
Assistant Professor of Development 
Economics
Santosh Kumar
Associate Professor of Development and 
Global Health Economics
Paul Winters
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; 
Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Global Affairs
Lakshmi Iyer
Professor of Economics and Global Affairs
Daniel C. Miller
Coyle Mission Collegiate Associate 
Professor of Environmental Policy
Our Core Affiliated Faculty
16 | Our Core Affiliated Faculty
The Pulte Institute for Global Development

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