Dr. Rafael Perez Pena, D.E.D.

Associate Professor
970-870-4486 | rpperez@coloradomtn.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/El

Education

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics (2022), University of Texas at El Paso
• Doctor of Economic Development (2017), New Mexico State University
• Master's in Applied Economics (2014), The College of the Northern Border (Mexico)
• Bachelor's in Economics (2012), University Autonomous of Ciudad Juarez (Mexico)

Publications

• Perez, Rafael, “Data Visualization Approaches to Monitor Traveler Preferences, Attitudes, Behaviors and the Economic Impact of International Flights in a Regional Economy”, Cases on Traveler Preferences, Attitudes, and Behaviors: Impact in the Hospitality Industry [under review].
• Perez, Rafael and Ana Camargo, “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 in the Air Transportation Industry: Estimates from a Regional Input-Output Model”, Challenges and Opportunities for Transportation Services in the Post-COVID-19 Era (2021).
• Perez, Rafael and Benjamin Widner, “Empirical Measures of Residential Energy Access in Mexico, 2008-2014”. Economics and Business, Vol 35 (2021).
• Acharya, Ram and Rafael Perez, “Role of Comparative Advantage in Biofuel Policy Adoption in Latin America”, Sustainability, Vol 12:4 (2020).
• Perez, Rafael and Oscar Pelaez, “Maize, Ethanol and Welfare within the Framework of (Inter)-National Policies”, Agriculture, Society, and Development, Vol. 16:1 (2019).
• Perez, Rafael and Pedro Izquierdo, “The TPP in the Western Hemisphere: Environmental Proposals and Doubts of a Huge Trade Agreement”, First Seminar on Hemispheric Affairs (2016).
• Perez, Rafael and Jennalee Beazley, “The Role of Market Structures in the TPP”, Washington Report on the Hemisphere, Vol 36: 10 (2016).
• Beazley, Jennalee and Rafael Perez, “How will the TPP Impact the Labor Conditions within the Trading Partners?” Washington Report on the Hemisphere, Vol 36: 9 (2016).
• Gonzalez, Eliseo, Rafael Perez, and Alejandro Diaz. ""Ricardian Model Application to the Oil and Coproducts Mexico-U.S. Trade"" (Spanish) Economic Analysis, 29, no. 72 (2014): 7-33

Professional Associations

• American Economic Association
• National Association of Business Economics
• Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

Personal Interests

Dr. Rafael Perez Pena is an Associate Professor of Business at Colorado Mountain College (CMC). He was born and raised in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Dr. Perez obtained a Doctorate in Economic Development from New Mexico State University, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Certificate in Data Science from Harvard Business School (Online). In addition, he holds a Master’s in Applied Economics and a Bachelor’s in Economics. He participated in a study abroad program to study economics at the University of Toulouse 1 (France) when he was a college student.

Dr. Rafa enjoys teaching classes in economics, business, and data science/analytics. He is devoted to his students and implements high impact-practices to improve student learning. When he is not teaching or doing research, Rafael enjoys sandboarding, learning new languages, and visiting new places. His plan is to learn snowboarding and have a good time in the Rocky Mountains.

Before joining CMC, Rafael worked as a Senior Research Associate and as a Research Economist for the University of Texas at El Paso. As part of these positions, he conducted economic impact studies and econometric studies for different federal, state, and local government agencies ranging from transportation, water utilities, and border infrastructure, to landholdings evaluation. He also worked as a Business Data Analyst for a money transfer firm in Miami and in Washington D.C. estimating price elasticities and conducting Geographical Information System projects. In addition, he worked as Research Assistant for different academic institutions and government agencies.

His research interests are Energy Economics, Regional and Development Economics, International Trade, and Agricultural Economics. Rafael has publications in academic journals in these areas and has served as an invited guest speaker on these topics at conferences in North America and Europe. In addition, he is an editorial board member of the Journal of Business and Economic Development. He has also collaborated on technical reports for the United Nations and for the United States Department of Agriculture on renewable energy topics.