Xiaoli Etienne

Professor of Applied Economics and Idaho Wheat Commission Bill Flory Endowed Chair in Risk Management, University of Idaho

Group

I have chaired or co-chaired sixteen graduate committees at the University of Idaho and West Virginia University, and served as a committee member for more than two dozen additional students. I have also advised two postdoctoral researchers and several undergraduate student researchers. Nearly all of my advisees coauthor the research they help produce.

Prospective students: I welcome inquiries from students and researchers interested in commodity and energy markets, risk management, and applied econometrics. Above all, I look for a strong work ethic. Strong quantitative preparation and curiosity about how real markets work matter more than a fixed background. Please email me a short note about your interests along with your CV.

Current Group

Aavash Shrestha, M.S. in Applied Economics, University of IdahoConsumer valuation of low-carbon dairy products. Expected August 2027.
Jung-Keon Jo, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Idaho, 2026–present
Qi Zhang, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Idaho, 2024–present

Former Graduate Students (Chaired or Co-Chaired)

Zhao Ming, M.S. in Applied Economics, University of Idaho, 2026Net-zero goals and strategies for dairy processors. Placement: Ph.D. student, Texas Tech University.
Sushuan K.C., M.S. in Applied Economics, University of Idaho, 2025Vertical price transmission in the food supply chain: New evidence based on meta-analysis. Co-advised with Dr. Andres Trujillo-Barrera. Placement: Ph.D. student, Texas A&M University.
Saurabh Bastakoti, M.S. in Applied Economics, University of Idaho, 2025How far do beef products travel in the United States? Co-advised with Dr. Hernan Tejeda. Placement: Ph.D. student, Washington State University.
Michael Nading, Jr., M.S. in Applied Economics, University of Idaho, 2025Idaho wheat producers’ marketing strategies: Evidence from focus groups and a statewide survey. Co-advised with Dr. Andres Trujillo-Barrera. Placement: Research Analyst, Decision Innovation Solutions, Des Moines, IA.
Pinky Thomas, Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2024Three essays on energy economics. Co-advised with Dr. Alan Collins. Placement: Energy Market Analyst, Austin Energy, Austin, TX.
Saroj Adhikari, M.S. in Applied Economics, University of IdahoEffects of rising international corn production and trade on U.S. and global corn markets. Co-advised with Dr. Andres Trujillo-Barrera. Placement: Ph.D. student, Washington State University.
Aayush Dhakal, M.S. in Applied Economics, University of IdahoImpact of weather disturbances on spring and winter wheat price spreads. Co-advised with Dr. Andres Trujillo-Barrera. Placement: Ph.D. student, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Sara Farhangdoost, Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2021Three essays on commodity price forecasting and volatility. Placement: Data Scientist, State Farm Insurance.
Richard Vest, M.S. in Energy Environments, West Virginia University, 2021Non-monetary economies: A study of alternative governing principles.
Kuan-Ming Huang, Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2021Three essays on applied econometrics in energy and agriculture. Placement: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Florida.
Alexandre Scarcioffolo, Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2020Three essays on energy economics. Placement: Assistant Professor, Georgia College & State University.
Zarina Ismailova, M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2019Quantifying announcement effects in the U.S. lumber market. Placement: Financial Analyst, Chatel Real Estate, Washington, DC.
David Aratuo, Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2018Three essays on tourism demand and economic development. Co-advised with Dr. Peter Schaeffer. Placement: Research Fellow, George Mason University.
Mostafa Hashemi, M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2017The linkage between the U.S. dollar exchange rate and oil prices. Placement: Graduate student, West Virginia University.
Seth Wiggins, Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics, West Virginia University, 2016Three essays on energy economics. Placement: Visiting Assistant Professor, Colorado School of Mines.

Graduate Committees Served as Member

University of Idaho: Tyler Hand, M.S. (2024).

WVU Resource Economics and Management: Syedul Islam, Ph.D. (2023); Ritika Khurana, Ph.D. (2022); Shabani Kariburyo, Ph.D. (2021); Bolarinwa Ajanaku, Ph.D. (2021); Zachary Keeler, Ph.D. (2021); Douglas Mugabe, Ph.D. (2020); Fahad Alzahrani, Ph.D. (2019); Michael O’Connor, M.S. (2019); Collin Hodges, Ph.D. (2019); Yiming He, Ph.D. (2019); Marissa Meltzer, M.S. (2019); Mousa Tawfeeq, Ph.D. (2018); Adama Warr, M.S. (2018); Addie Thornley, M.S. (2018); Sapana Bastola, M.S. (2017); Abiola Owoeye, M.S. (2017); Adebiyi Adeboje, M.S. (2017); Christopher Schultz, Ph.D. (2015).

Other departments and universities: Xufeng Zhang, Ph.D. (WVU Forestry and Natural Resources, 2022); Jiarui Li, Ph.D. (University of Illinois, Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2022); Wentao Jiang, Ph.D. (WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences, 2021); Yu-Chun Chiu (WVU Plant and Soil Sciences, 2019); Qinling Lu, Ph.D. (WVU Economics, 2019); Taining Wang, Ph.D. (WVU Economics, 2019); Jinjing Tian, Ph.D. (WVU Economics, 2018); Fan Zhang, Ph.D. (WVU Economics, 2016).

Undergraduate Research