He received his doctorate in economics from the University of Houston. His research interests include investigating the determinants of state government spending, evaluating policies affecting disadvantaged populations, and understanding how the availability of food resources impacts children’s dietary patterns, nutritional status, and performance in school. He has published in the British Journal of Nutrition, Economics of Education Review, and Public Finance Review. He teaches courses in Principles of Microeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis, Public Finance, and Advanced Microeconomic Analysis.