I am influenced by the elegance and rigor of mathematical and physical models; a relentless curiosity about how humans, organizations, and societies make decisions, rooted in psychology and neuroscience; and holistic systems approaches of physics and systems engineering.
My latest research has taken a systems-based approach to quantify and compare the sustainability of using deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules in the Pacific Ocean to develop electric-vehicle battery cathode metals (nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese) versus continued use of land-based methods.
Preliminary material flow analysis and integrated risk assessment of solid wastes, employing Monte Carlo analysis and multiple scenarios. Results showed wastes may be reduced by 59-93% if nodules are employed.
Ethical framework for analyzing the question of whether society should embark on deep-sea mining in the Pacific.
Cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of metals from land ores versus deep-sea nodules, analyzing GWP100 and carbon sequestration at risk.
Explores the life cycle impacts of producing battery metals using polymetallic nodules in the Pacific Ocean versus conventional methods.
Video presentation and Q&A of key takeaways from the 170-page white paper, alongside principal co-author Steven Katona.
Abstract: Transparency about inflation can help firms coordinate on pricing decisions, reduce aggregate economic price dispersion, and potentially increase social welfare. In this paper, I address the question of whether welfare can observably increase when a government suddenly stops misrepresenting inflation. I leverage a recent surprise election victory in Argentina in 2015 which led to the reformation of its statistical reporting agency. Using a difference in differences approach with Uruguay, I find supporting evidence of downward price dispersion pressure in line with the hypothesis. A more pronounced upward pressure on dispersion, however, is observed, attributed to macroeconomic volatility during the political regime change, and obscuring my results. I also find a possible asymmetry of magnitudes depending on the sign of the shock. Beyond its contribution to transparency literature, this study raises questions about the benefits of transparency reform versus other government priorities and under the presence of alternate trusted signals. Suggested follow on studies include re-analyzing a broader dataset and modeling the demographic makeup and composition of signals.
Recent John Oliver ‘Last Week Tonight’ episode accusing my research of being biased simply because it was funded by an extractive industry. (You haven’t really made it until your research has been disparaged on a John Oliver episode!) – Last Week Tonight, June 9 2024
“Seafloor Mining For Critical Metals – A Brilliant Idea Or Another Environmental Catastrophe?” – Forbes, Feb 11 2022
“Peer-Reviewed Lifecycle Analysis Shows Conventional Production of EV Battery Metals Will Generate Significant Waste Streams But Could Be Reduced By Using Deep-Sea Nodules” – Financial Post, Jan 31 2022
“Is Mining The Ocean Bottom For Metals Really Better Than Mining On Land?” – Forbes, Feb 24 2021