Leah Cuyno joined Northern Economics in May 2001. She earned a doctoral degree from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree from Michigan State University, both in Agricultural and Applied Economics with a specialization in environmental economics. Leah’s dissertation research involved assessing the risks of pesticide use on human health, non-target species, and the environment, and determining society’s willingness to pay to reduce these risks. For her master’s thesis, she developed a framework for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a nonpoint source pollution control program in Michigan. Prior to joining Northern Economics, Leah worked as an economist for a non-government organization specializing in resource economics and environmental policy in the Philippines.
Leah’s work at Northern Economics focuses on assessment of economic and fiscal impacts of infrastructure/development projects. Her field of interest is in the energy sector and she has been closely involved in oil and gas issues and rural energy issues in Alaska.
Leah’s answers to life’s more important questions:
Great escape: The beach! I am also still dreaming about going on a bike tour from Vienna to Prague.
Why Alaska: I moved to Alaska in 2001 because of Northern Economics. At that time, that was the burning question in my mind—why Alaska? Having grown up in a warm, tropical place, I knew that the winters would be challenging. I survived 13 years of Alaska winter. I now work in the Seattle office of Northern Economics and while I enjoy being here I constantly think about Alaska and the things I miss—looking at the mountains through my old office window, x-country skiing, wildlife encounters, hiking, running the Twilight 12K with my co-workers, and most of all my Alaska friends. I will always cherish my years in the Anchorage office.
Idea of fun: Exploring new places on a bike or on foot.
Curious About: Why there are silent letters in the English language. I’m told there’s a P in pneumonia, M in mnemonic, K in knowledge….