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Economics Doctoral Student Receives Mentzelopoulos Scholarship, Continues Precision Farming Research

Kotsiri, who plans to graduate in May 2012 with a Ph.D. in economics, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Patras before entering the doctoral program at NC State, where she has had opportunities to present her research at conferences as well as participate in programs designed to make her a better teacher.

For her doctoral dissertation, “Three Essays on the Economics of Precision Agriculture Technologies,” she is exploring whether the expected yield variability of farmers who adopted site specific technology may affect their variable rate input decisions. Previous studies investigated the relationship between cotton monitor adoption and subjective yield variability.

Kotsiri said she wanted to take her research one step further by finding the effect of Variable Rate Technology on farmers’ decisions. She has presented her research paper, “Effect of Cotton Farmers’ Yield Perceptions on Variable Rate Technology Adoption,” at the 70th International Atlantic Conference in Charleston, S.C., in October 2010.

“I consider my research exciting because it deals with human behavior and real world problems.” Kotsiri said. “My data came directly from producers who provided information about their expectations, as well as demographics such as age, education, and income.”

Kotsiri says her research is relevant to those with interests in agribusiness and the environment.

“If farmers apply their inputs at a variable rate based on the heterogeneity of the field instead of its average conditions,” Kotsiri said, “they will minimize the over application or under application of pesticides, fertilizers, etc., which harm the environment.”

Kotsiri also presented an extension of her research at the Southern Agricultural Economics Meeting in Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 7, 2011. For that paper, “Farmers’ Perceptions about Spatial Yield Variability and Precision Farming Technology Adoption: An Empirical Study of Cotton Production in 12 Southeastern States,” she studied the effect of perceived spatial yield variability on precision farming adoption.

The chance to present her research is just one of the professional development activities Kotsiri has benefited from while pursuing her doctoral degree in economics at NC State. The Graduate Economics Programs are offered jointly by the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the NC State Poole College of Management’s Jenkins Graduate School.

Kotsiri also completed the Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching (CoAT) program as well as a Mentorship and Teaching Practicum (MATP). She has also participated in the Graduate Leadership Development Series (GLDS) and the Graduate Student Professional Development Workshop (GSPDW).

The Graduate Leadership Development Series (GLDS) is a program designed to develop participants’ self-awareness, professional adaptability, and leadership skills. Its mission is to prepare graduate students to become effective employees after graduation by providing professional development normally reserved for new managers and executives.

Tamah Morant, director of Economics Graduate Programs at NC State, nominated Sofia Kotsiri to attend the Graduate Student Professional Development Workshop (GSPDW).

This workshop provides graduate students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS) with professional skills and experiences above and beyond those obtained during their formal academic training. Participants are exposed to professional development issues including interviewing skills, stress management, and media interactions. For the past 23 years, graduate students, department heads, and administrative staff have all given GSPDW top ratings.

“This workshop has been a very constructive experience for me,” Kotsiri said. “I’ve had the opportunity to discuss my research, future goals and make connections with Ph.D. students and faculty from different fields and areas of specialization.” During the workshop, Kotsiri learned how to write successful proposals, resumes, and post-doctoral applications.

“It was very exciting to listen to all the professional opportunities out there and realize that the sky is the limit.”

As part of her doctoral program, she also has had a number of teaching experiences, including teaching two undergraduate economics courses and presenting a guest lecture at Elon University, N.C., as part of her MATP program.

“This is something that contributed substantially to my personal and professional development, since I was called to teach under a different educational system and different students’ mentality compared to my country,” Kotsiri said. “I think teaching in the U.S. has broadened my way of thinking about people and made me more passionate and flexible towards different attitudes. It also helped me improve my communication skills. I am so grateful to all students who took my courses, because I learned from them as well.”

While Kotsiri has made great strides through NC State’s Graduate Economics Program, the start of her successes took place far from the Wolfpack campus, back in Patras, Greece, where she was born and raised, and where she completed her undergraduate and master’s degree programs before deciding to pursue her doctoral studies at NC State University.

“Moving to the United States in 2007 was the riskiest and at the same time the wisest choice I’ve ever made in my life,” Kotsiri said. Among her favorite moments in America, she said, are “The day I passed my written qualifying exams for my doctorate, small precious moments from my teaching days, my first conference presentation, my trips in places where I never thought I would go, and last but not least. my marriage that took place here in Raleigh.”

When asked about her future, Kotsiri answers, “This is the most difficult question and I wish I had an answer.” Though she has no exact prediction for where she will be in five years, she hopes to start a family, visit her family in Greece more often, and pursue her passion for research.