Namaste







I am an Assistant Professor of Economics in the School of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences at Western Illinois University.

I earned my Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Iowa. Before joining Western Illinois University, I worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and Institute of Public Policy at the University of Missouri.

I specialize in Applied Microeconomics, with a specific research focus on development, health, and public policy. Currently, my research projects center around assessing the effects of different policies and interventions on health and labor market outcomes. A major aspect of my work involves studying the influence of cash transfers on health-seeking behavior and maternal health outcomes. Additionally, I investigate the impact of financial resources on child health and nutrition. One of my projects with coauthors explores the connection between home-visiting programs and the educational outcomes of children.

Interests

  • Development Economics
  • Health Economics
  • Public Policy

Education

  • PhD in Economics, 2021

    University of Iowa

  • MA in Economics, 2017

    University of Iowa

  • MS in Mathematics, 2015

    Missouri State University

  • BS in Mathematics, 2012

    Missouri State University

Papers

Financial Incentives and Delivery Care: Evidence from the Safe Delivery Incentive Program in Nepal. (Accepted @ Health Economics)

Child Health Status and Land Ownership (Submitted )

Mayfield, W., Tiwari, M., Knight, E., Ralston, J., DeSpain, R., “Participation in Missouri’s Parent as Teachers and Third Grade Math and English Language Arts Proficiency” (Preparing for submission)

Housing Wealth Shocks and Health (co-authored with Padmaja Ayyagari and David Frisvold)

Technical Reports

Mayfield, W., Tiwari, M., Jamtgaard, K., DeSpain, R., Dicke, R.,“The Effects of Missouri Parents as Teachers Participation on Child Outcomes” , Institute of Public Policy, University of Missouri, Columbia, March 2022

Buckler, Z.,Tiwari, M., Haxton, C., “Missouri Department of Corrections Community Reentry Funding Initiative”, Institute of Public Policy, University of Missouri, Columbia, January 2022

Teaching

Advanced Mathematical Techniques (Graduate)
Applied Business Forecasting and Regression Analysis
The Global Economic Environment
Economic Development (Undergraduate/Graduate)
Principles of Microeconomics (Honors)
Principles of Microeconomics

Contact