I conduct research on poverty and natural resource management in Asia and Africa, using methods of micro-econometrics, program evaluation and non-market valuation. I mostly work with primary data that I collect, both large and small samples.

My research has been used by development finance institutions and recipient governments to inform policy, and to adaptively course-correct ongoing investments and programs. My work has been featured in media outlets including BBC, Forbes, NPR, The Economist and The Guardian. 

I am currently a Senior Economist at The World Bank. I am also adjunct professor at University of Waterloo and Texas A & M University;  and a Global Fellow at the Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska.  I advise doctoral students studying in the global north, and volunteer my time to support regional  mentoring and advising research networks in the global south.  

I am an Associate Editor for Agricultural Economics, World Development, and Journal of Water Economics. I coordinate the Committee for Women in Agricultural Economics of the International Association of Agricultural Economics.

I received a PhD in Environment and Development Economics from Duke University.

I can be reached at sbalasubramanya[at]worldbank[dot]org.