Our Team
David Roland-Holst
David Roland-Holst is a leading expert on economic and environmental policy modeling. He has extensive research experience in economics related to environment, development, agriculture, energy, and international trade, authoring six books and over 100 articles in professional journals and books. David has served in academic posts in Asia, Europe, and the United States and conducted research in over 40 countries, working with many public institutions including a variety of national governments, agencies, and numerous international organizations. David is on the faculties of Economics and Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Berkeley and he holds MS and PhD degrees in Economics from the same institution.
David Zilberman
David Zilberman is a highly regarded agricultural economist with over 30 years of policy experience, working around the world for governments, development partners, and NGOs. A prolific researcher, he has published over 20 books and more than 200 articles in professional journals and books. David is on the faculty of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Berkeley and holds a PhD degree the same institution.
Joachim Otte
Joachim Otte is an expert in veterinary epidemiology, livestock information systems and the economics of animal production and health. He has worked in Latin America, Africa and Asia and collaborated in research projects carried out by national and international research institutes. Joachim has provided advisory services to bi- and multinational development agencies and has worked extensively for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN both at HQ in Rome and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. In the latter, he served as Secretary of the Regional Animal Production and Health Commission. Joachim holds a PhD degree in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics from the University of Reading, UK.
Samuel Neal
Samuel Neal is an expert in statistics and econometrics, with special emphasis on spatial analysis. He has worked on a range of projects related to agriculture, the environment, and public health. Samuel uses empirical tools to provide policy relevant evidence on issues such as the impact of environmental policies on disadvantaged communities in California. He also has extensive field experience in Southeast Asia, having managed development and policy research projects throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region and speaks three regional languages. Samuel holds a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and he holds a BA in Economics and Statistics from the same institution.
Drew Behnke
Drew Behnke is an expert in environmental economics, with specializations in econometrics and GIS mapping. He has extensive field experience in Southeast Asia, having managed development and policy research projects throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region. His project experience has until now been related to the economic factors that influence human and animal health as well as climate risk in the agricultural sector. Drew holds a PhD in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and he holds a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jonathan Chang
Jonnathan Chang is an expert on digital solutions for economic development. With years of field work in Central and Southeast Asia, Jonnathan has worked for the Asian Development Bank, the Aga Kahn Foundation, and the Center for Effective Global Action. Jonathan has an MDP degree from UC Berkeley and undergraduate degree from Yale University.
Tessa Emmer
Tessa Emmer’s areas of focus include resource management, community development, and mixed methods research design. Tessa has field experience in SE Asia and Africa, having managed development and research projects in Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Cambodia, and in Madagascar supervising a reforestation and community development project connecting patches of remnant rainforest. Tessa holds a Master’s Degree in Development Practice (MDP) from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies from Oberlin College.
Adrian Wells
Adrian Wells is a rural development policy analyst and agricultural extension specialist. He has working on rural smallholder surveys and technology diffusion projects in Asia and disadvantaged California communities. Adrian has over 5 years of field experience in the Greater Mekong Subregion and is currently studying Geography at UCLA.
Naa Barkor Pierre
Naa Barkor Pierre is an international development policy expert. , She specializes in sustainable natural resource management in the energy, forestry, and mining sectors, with field experience in Ghana and South Africa. Naa holds a Master‘s in Development Practice degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and French and Francophone Studies from Vassar College.
Haniel Wells
Haniel Wells is an expert in environmental economics, with specializations in climate risk and international development. He has extensive field experience in Southeast Asia, having managed development and policy research projects throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Haniel holds a BA from UCLA.
Cybèle Roland-Holst
Cybèle a sociologist with expertise in community engagement and transition counseling for disadvantaged rural populations. She has done research and field work in California, China, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam to assist rural smallholder communities in their efforts to adapt to modernization, promote gender equity, and facilitate sustainable and inclusive livelihoods improvement.Cybèle holds a BS in Sociology from the University of New Mexico.
Zhifeng Wang
Zhifeng Wang is a policy analyst in international development and environmental economics. He has worked on consulting and research projects related to energy, environmental management, agriculture, public private partnership and regional trade. In his most recent work, he helped implement green growth initiative in rural Shishou, China. Zhifeng holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Fudan University and aMaster’s Degree in Development Practice from the University of California, Berkeley.
Lucy Shim
Lucy (Myung Eun) Shim is exploring different research topics linking economics, climate change, energy, and the environment. She has worked on consulting projects and research into renewable energy, smart grids, urban heat island effects, has done field work on climate adaptation in rural Nicaragua. Lucy speaks Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Environmental Economics and Policy from the University of California, Berkeley and an MS in Environmental Economics from Yale Uinversity.
Zongwat Chaiwong
Zongyot Chaiwong holds a bacehlors degree from the Faculty of Agriculture at Chiang Mai University with specializations in livestock and horticulture. He has been working with the BEAR since 2007 and has served as the country director for Thailand since 2009. Zongyot has extensive experience in agriculture, having worked in academics as a researcher and industry as a purchasing agent for a large agricultural company. His diverse knowledge of agricultural practices are fundamental to the projects implemented by BEAR in Thailand.