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Ph.D., Forest/Natural Resource Economics and Policy, 2011
Food and Resource Economics (minor), University of Florida, Gainesville FL

M.B.A., Forestry Management, 2004
Indian Institute of Forest Management, India

M.A., Geography, 2001
Delhi School of Economics, India

B.A.(H), Economics, 1999
Delhi University, India

Pankaj Lal, PhD, is founding director of Clean Energy and Sustainability Analytics Center and professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University. He utilizes a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to develop place-based solutions in the diverse landscapes, including South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Caribbean and North America. He has conducted original and applied research in the areas of energy and environmental policies and economics, energy preferences and adoption, global climate change, valuing environmental services, economic and energy modeling, industrial ecology, and natural resource conservation and management. He undertakes integrative, interdisciplinary research that explores interconnections among society and the environment. His ongoing research projects involve aspects of clean energy, water, natural resources, and economies that collectively impact communities around the world.

Dr. Lal has longstanding research support and engagement in practice with multilateral institutions such as Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank, and international NGOs like World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society, and received more than $21 million in grants and contracts for his research, including funding from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Conservation Society, NJ Board of Public Utilities, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rockefeller Foundation, PSEG Foundation, Orsted, German Development Agency GIZ, amongst many others.

Dr. Lal was awarded Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by President Obama. The PECASE Award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. This Presidential Award embodies the high priority placed by the government on maintaining the leadership position of the United States in science by producing outstanding scientists and engineers and nurturing their continued development. The Awards identify a cadre of outstanding scientists and engineers who will broadly advance science and the missions important to the participating federal agencies. He is the first Montclair State University faculty recipient of the PECASE award. His PECASE award nomination stressed his contributions, saying that, “Besides fostering innovative developments in science and technology, Dr. Lal’s efforts and commitment enhance connections between fundamental research and the grand challenges facing the nation, and highlight the importance of interdisciplinary and systems-approached science, engineering, and technology for America’s future.”

Dr. Lal has been awarded the prestigious NSF CAREER Award to explored place-based opportunities for bioenergy sustainability. He was Advisory Board member for Rockefeller Foundation’s initiative on “Valuing the Resilience Dividend”, that was undertaken by RAND Corporation and the Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation. He was economic analysis lead in NJ Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding grant whereby ecosystem inventory for natural resources was developed and ecosystem tradeoffs due to potential engineering design solutions for flood mitigation across the state was evaluated. Dr. Lal conducted rapid economic impact analysis of regional summer flounder restrictions, which was successfully used by NJ DEP in their request to reconsider Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder Management Board's harvest restrictions. He is also primary author of a research report titled "Economic Values of Nyungwe National Park & Rugezi Wetlands and their contributions towards national policy goals in Rwanda", that was supported by MacArthur Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society.

Dr. Lal earned his Master’s degree in geography from the University of Delhi, MBA from Indian Institute of Forest Management, and PhD in natural resource economics from the University of Florida. Prior to his terminal degree, he worked with Winrock International India as a program officer in natural resource management division and Pricewaterhouse Coopers India in the government reforms and infrastructure development practice. He has reviewed competitive grant proposals for agencies like National Science Foundation, United States Department of Agricultur and served as a reviewer for The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine along with a diverse array of environmental and energy journals.

Dr. Lal has published more than eight dozen scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, federal research agencies technical reports and book chapters. He is thesis committee chair of nineteen doctoral students and committee member for another eight students. Dr. Lal is environmental management doctoral faculty at the University and teaches courses in environmental policy, environmental law and policy, environmental economics, human environment, life cycle analysis, water resource management, world geography, and introduction to global studies. He loves spending time with his wife Aditi and daughters Myra and Mahika.

ADVISEES & CLEAN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY ANALYTICS CENTER (CESAC) MEMBERS

Associate Director CESAC:
Dr. Dileep Birur

Research Associate/Fellow:
Dr. Bernabas Wolde
Dr. Prahlad Burli
Dr. Pricila Iranah
Dr. Meghann Smith
Dr. Sydney Oluoch

Student Advisee:
Bernabas Wolde, PhD Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Socioeconomic and Environmental Assessment of Woody Biofuels in Southern United States, Now Research Economist, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
Melissa Harclerode, PhD Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Evaluating Sustainable Aspects of Hazardous Waste Remediation, Now Principal Scientist & Sustainability Practice Leader, CDM Smith.
Pralhad Burli, PhD Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Economic and Environmental Assessment of Advanced Biofuels: Adoption Under Uncertainty, Farmer Willingness, and Land Use Implications. Now Economist at Idaho National Energy Laboratory.
Pricila Iranah, PhD Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Bridging Gaps Between Conservation Action and Policy on Small Island Developing States: Case Analog of the Republic of Mauritius, Now Postdoctoral Research Scientist, University of Nebraska.
Robert Oleksy, PhD Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Protecting Public Health, Safety and the Environment: The Capabilities and Limitations of Privatizing State Remediation Programs. Now Environmental Safety Officer, VDM Metals
Anthony Bevacqua, PhD Environmental Science and Management, Thesis Title: Spatial Economics of Clean Energy in New Jersey. Now Manager Climate Change, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Sydney Oluoch, PhD Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Socioeconomic Assessment of Renewable Energy Options for Sub-Saharan Africa: A Continental, Regional and National Approach. Now Assistant Professor, Northern Kentucky University
Meghann Smith, PhD Environmental Science and Management, Thesis Title: Socioeconomic and Environmental Analysis of Apple Cider in Northeastern United States. Now Assistant Professor, Clean Energy and Sustainability Analytics Center, Montclair State University.
Taylor Wiezczerak, PhD Environmental Science and Management, Thesis Title: Socioeconomic Evaluation of Green Infrastructure Options in Northeastern United States. Now Economist, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Gia Nguyen, PhD Candidate, Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Climate Change, Crop Substitution and Water Scarcity: Hydrological and Socioeconomic Analysis in Mekong Delta Region, Vietnam. Now Research Fellow, Clean Energy and Sustainability Analytics Center.
Erik Lyttek, PhD Candidate, Environmental Science and Management, Thesis Title: The Fate of Fraxinus Spp. in New Jersey A Physioeconomic Evaluation of The Forest System and Bioenergy Capabilities. Anticipated Completion Fall 2022.
Gin Dean Sanchez, PhD Candidate, Environmental Management, Thesis Title: Economic and Environmental Analysis of Solid Waste Management in Santo Domingo East, Dominican Republic.
Anvy Vu, PhD Candidate, Environmental Science and Management. Thesis Title: Assessing the Environmental and Social Impacts of Menstrual Hygiene Management:Motivations and Barriers for Sustainable Menstrual Health and Hygiene. Anticipated Completion Summer 2023.
Nicole Provost, PhD Candidate, Environmental Science and Management. Thesis Title: Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change: A Stated Preference and Macroeconomic Modeling Approach.
Gita Bhushal, PhD Candidate, Environmental Science and Management. Thesis Title: Land-Use Change Implications on Ecosystem Services and Food Security in Nepal: A Global-to-Local Framework
Anuradha Singh, PhD Candidate, Environmental Science and Management. Thesis Title: To Examine Pathways to NJ Highway Electrification: Integrating Charging Stations Locations with Grid and Battery Storage Needs Using Machine Learning.
Trang Luong, PhD Candidate, Environmental Science and Management. Carbon Emission Mitigation Prospects from Clean Energy in Tourism Industry: A Case of Popular Tourist Destinations in Vietnam.
Michael Fowler, PhD Candidate, Environmental Science and Management. Thesis Title: Environmental and Economic Assessment of Biofuels in Northeastern United States
Zainab Tariq, PhD Student, Environmental Science and Management.

Taylor Wieczerak, MA in Environmental Studies, Thesis Title: An Economic Valuation of Combined Sewer Overflows and Green Infrastructure in Northern New Jersey
Mike Fowler, MS in Sustainability Science, Thesis Title: Energy and Emission Analysis of Switchgrass based Biofuels
Gita Bhushal, MS in Sustainability Science, Thesis Title: Community Institutions and Resilience: Assessment of Flooding and Human Wildlife Conflict Outcomes in two Community Groups in Terai Region of Nepal
Mary Kenny, MS in Sustainability Science
Julia Sickler, MS in Sustainability Science
Nawal Shoaib, MS in Sustainability Science
Ashley Lynn Chrzaszcz, BS MS in Sustainability Science, Now Associate, Gabel Associates
Matthew Cristaldi, MS in Sustainability Science, Analyst, Direct Energy
Jessica Treslar, BA Geography, Now Student, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Pace University
Warren Bristol, BA Anthropology
Witty Ingrid, BA Geography
Nicolette Filippone, BS Earth and Environmental Science
Mary Kenny, BS MS Sustainability Science
Matthew Mcnicholas, BS MS Sustainability Science
Deborah Lewis, BA Geography
Rachel Maynard, BA Geography, Now ORISE Fellow, Climate Economics and Modeling Center, USEPA
Carlos A Sanchez, Faculty UTE Ecuador and PhD student University of Zaragoza Spain (Visiting Scholar)
Katherin Mendoza, Summer Intern from Union City High School
Gilda Lovera, Summer Intern from Union City High School
Catherine Chuya, Summer Intern from Union City High School
Laura Leon, Summer Intern from Union City High School

Specialization

Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy
Climate Change
Resilient Development
Resource Management and Conservation
Life Cycle Analyses

Office Hours

Fall

Monday

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Tuesday

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Thursday

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Spring

Monday

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Tuesday

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Thursday

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Links

Montclair State University does not endorse the views or opinions expressed in a faculty member's webpage or website. Consistent with the principles of academic freedom, the content provided is that of the author and does not express the opinions or views of Montclair State University.

• The White House Press Release
• Presidential Award for Scientists and Engineers
• Researchers Awarded NSF STEM +Computing Grant
• Daily Record-biofuel research
• Forward Thinking- Bioenergy Sustainability
• Forward Thinking-Sustaining Economies with Biofuels
• NSF CAREER Award
• Unraveling the Economics of Environmental and Energy Issues
• SNAPP:Integrating natural capital into system of national accounts
• USDA research grant
• President Barack Obama names Professor Pankaj Lal as one of 102 researchers in the country deserving of the prestigious Presidential Award
• American Association of Geographers
• NCEAS Working Group
• Indo-US Biofuels Research Project
• Collaborative project to develop paths to STEM success for underrepresented groups
• Lincoln Park resident receives Presidential Award
• Postdoctoral Associate Advertisement
• Five-year grant funds innovative research and education project
• USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Update-PECASE
• Greenest Cities-Ask the Experts
• CBS-Summer Flounders
• Natural Inquirer: Climate Change Impacts in Rural Areas of the United States
• NJDEP News Release
• Jersey shore-fluke fishing
• Evaluating Impacts of Investments in the Tourism Sector as a Poverty Reduction Strategy in Rwanda
• Montclair State University Teacher Gets Presidential Award
• Office of Secretary of Higher Education
• ICRISAT newsroom
• Press of Atlantic City
• Short video
• DOE Biofuel Consortia
• DEP Critical Habitat
• Explore my research at Research with Montclair
• Explore my research at Research with New Jersey
• Scholarship and Creative Works @ Digital Commons

Documents

Research Projects