Rudy Nayga elected Fellow in national science association
Agricultural economics research contributions to food policy, consumer behavior and public health recognized
The American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, has named Rudy Nayga, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as an AAAS Fellow.
Each year, the AAAS Council selects fellows based on their scientifically or socially distinguished contributions to science and its applications. The lifetime honor recognizes significant achievements in research, innovation and academic leadership.
“I am honored to be named an AAAS Fellow and grateful for this recognition from such a distinguished community of scientists,” Nayga said. “This award is a testament to the incredible colleagues, mentors, students and collaborators who have supported and inspired my work. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the advancement of science.”
Excellence in agricultural economic research
The AAAS recognized Nayga for advancing the study of food attribute valuation, the economic science of how consumers perceive and value the different characteristics of food products and how they influence purchasing decisions. His research focus also includes consumer behavior, nutritional policy and the impact of food labeling on health.
Nayga’s research has significantly influenced public policy, particularly in evaluating how food programs affect health outcomes, food consumption and obesity rates. His work has shaped discussions on federal food programs, nutritional labeling and consumer decision-making in food markets.
About Nayga
Nayga came to Texas A&M in 2021. Previously, he served as the Tyson Endowed Chair in Food Policy Economics at the University of Arkansas. Among his publications are more than 250 refereed articles in economics, public health and behavioral science.
Nayga has also served as a Fulbright Senior Scholar at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, an adjunct professor at Korea University and the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research, and a senior research fellow at the Waseda Institute for Advanced Study in Tokyo. He was a member of the International Scientific Advisory Board of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast. He is a fellow and past president of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and the current editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics
