Prof. Martin Saavedra

Prof. Martin Saavedra (Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh) is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Oberlin College. He primarily works in the fields of economic history, health economics, and labor economics. Most of his research focuses on how early-life shocks affect adult labor market and health outcomes.

 










 







What’s the most underrated or overrated book or idea in the field of economics?

My favorite book in economics is Naked Economics, by Charles Wheelan. I decided I wanted to become an economist after reading it. Freakonomics is also a very fun book. In terms of ideas, I think that techniques from computer science such as machine learning will play a very important role in discoveries over the next few decades in economics.


Was there a particular person—a professor or someone outside of academia—who played an important role in your decision to become an economist?

As for who played an important an role in my life, this list is too long to count. I've been very fortunate to have a excellent set of mentors and professors since I took my first economics classes. Bloggers who I have learned a lot from, although never met, include Greg Mankiw, Tyler Cowen, and Andrew Gelman (although he is more of a statistician than an economist).