DANIELL​E
PARKS
Economist
About Me
The world does not lack people who are sympathetic to those in poverty; the world lacks academics grounded in theoretical and empirical evidence to study issues associated with poverty. I have witnessed the power of empiricism through practical and work experiences, and I am committed to economics as a logical and analytical framework for my career.
My research studies how trade and immigration policies promote or inhibit international development. My previous experience includes working as a Research Assistant at the Mercatus Center in the Trade and Immigration Project, interning at the Cato Institute in the Human Progress Department, and serving as an International Humanitarian Aid Worker in the Philippines, South Africa, and Albania. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, with honors. I also hold a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia.
Work Experience
September 2020 - Present
Research Assistant
University of Virginia
I am currently working on an econometric analysis that determines the impact of trade with China on industry employment levels, occupation transitions, and city relocations. My work involves merging, cleaning, and analyzing data at the metropolitan city level from the Current Population Survey and imports from China from 1989 to 2018. The data encompasses over 9 million observations. In the end, I will assist with writing a comprehensive literature review and preparing the findings for publication in an academic journal.
August 2020 - December 2020
Principles of Microeconomics Teaching Assistant
University of Virginia
I devised lesson plans and created quizzes to independently virtually instruct 63 undergraduate students among three sections. I handled all grades regarding the class, including administering and grading two midterms as well as one final exam. In addition, I provided weekly individual tutoring for a minimum of three additional hours ensuring none of the students were falling behind on the material
June 2018 - July 2019
Trade and Immigration Research Assistant
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
I conducted econometric analyses and articulate the findings by coauthoring policy briefs, working papers, and op-eds with senior research fellows. I often worked with large data (over 4,500,000 observations) on an array of topics, such as the mid-term election results, annual trade flows, various countries’ harmonized tariff schedules, digital trade, intrastate trade, etc. My most influential work studies the impact of trade policies on downstream industries. I taught myself how to scrape regulations.gov and created multiple datasets regarding the Section 232 steel and aluminum exclusion requests, objections, and decision memos.
February 2018 - May 2018
HumanProgress.Org Intern
Cato Institute
I helped relaunch the HumanProgress.org website by meticulously gathering, cleaning, and analyzing 922 large data sets. This database is devoted to correcting misconceptions about how development impacts the world. I also ran three econometric analyses on foreign and domestic issues, ranging from immigration regulations to education spending, in order to identify which policies should be implemented. I then conveyed my findings in op-eds and studies that are published on the website.
August 2016 - May 2017
International Humanitarian Aid Worker
World Race
I was stationed in Albania, South Africa, and the Philippines. I worked with a range of individuals from women fleeing sex trafficking to street children addicted to drugs. After teaching English, Mathematics, Ethics, and Life Skills to those in the lowest segment of society, I learned firsthand the necessity of education to remove socioeconomic barriers. My work often included organizing and distributing aid through the form of food, clothing, shoes, and supplies to families in severely impoverished communities.
Education
Graduated: December 2020
University of Virginia
Master of Arts in Economics
Graduated: December 2015
Florida State University
Bachelor of Science in Economics
Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, with honors​
Minor in Mathematics
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Certificate, with honors