Ziqiao is a current Ph.D. student in the Department of Public Administration and International Affairs and works in the Center for Policy Research with Professor David Popp. Prior to entering the Ph.D. program, Ziqiao interned for the European Parliament and worked as a research assistant in Pittsburgh. His research interests are in the area of natural resource, energy and environmental policy, particularly in how energy and environment issues shape local and regional economy. His current research focuses on the impact of shale gas development on local labor market and student outcomes in Pennsylvania and New York. 

Environmental Policy