Student Research
Ashley Ingram '11
Summer Fellow Investigates Recession Effects on Medicare Beneficiaries
When the economy dips into recession, how are Medicare recipients affected? Does the effect vary among beneficiaries who belong to different income classes?
As a recipient of a seven week undergraduate Schroeder Fellowship, Ashley Ingram ‘11, is working on answering this interesting question.
Ingram, an economics and sociology double major, is working under the direction of Dr. Melissa McInerney and Dr. Jennifer Mellor, faculty members in the economics department.
"I was intrigued by the project because past research results seemed counterintuitive-- that health would improve during recessions-- and I was excited to work with [McInerney and Mellor] to try to uncover some of the underlying mechanisms," said Ingram.
The incorporation of undergraduates into extensive research projects brings a new and fresh flavor to the work.
"Working closely with Ashley on our research project truly integrates teaching and research, enriching the experience. Ashley is a wonderful addition to our project; she has shown incredible initiative and care in her work," said Dr. McInerney.
A rising senior originally from Georgia, Ingram hopes that the fellowship will expose her to ideas and research skills related to health policy. As she looks to graduate school or the work force, she is particularly interested pursing the connections between health, gender, and development.
Eytan Jankowitz '11
Schroeder Fellow Learns Valuable Health Policy Research Skills
During the 2010 spring semester, Eytan Jankowitz '11, decided that he wanted to participate in research during his summer break. He received that opportunity through the undergraduate Schroeder Fellowship, a seven week research assistantship position.
"I wanted to be part of an extensive research project and see if this type of work m
ay interest me in the future. It seemed like a great way to get a feel for the types of things I may end up doing if I go to graduate school," said Jankowitz.
The economics major and math minor is working under the direction of Dr. He and Dr. Mellor, faculty members in the economics department. Jankowitz is working on a project related to changes in health care utilization due to the implementation of the Outpatient Payment Prospective Payment System (OPPS) in 2000. Included in his tasks and accomplishments this summer, Jankowitz investigated OPPS and has calculated relevant hospital-specific variables. Additionally, he gained proficiency in Stata, a statistical software program, in order to manage large and complicated datasets.
A rising senior, Jankowitz hopes that the research skills he is acquiring as a Schroeder Fellow will further his goal to attend graduate school in economics or public policy in the future.