Doctoral student tackles consumer welfare effects

Didar Islam, a Ph.D. student and research assistant in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is working on a National Institute of Food and Agriculture project that looks at consumer welfare effects.

His research analyzes the differences in consumer welfare effects between food-at-home and food-away-from-home consumption. The project explores how people obtain their meals, whether it's through grocery shopping, drive-throughs, or delivery apps. He also is taking a closer look at the dining habits of frequent restaurant-goers compared to those who prefer eating at home.

The research also considers how socio-economic and demographic variables such as income and age, in addition to other environmental factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, health concerns, and changes in food prices, affect the price elasticity of demand for food.

“Before 2010, people in the U.S. cooked more at home, but after 2010, the trend shifted toward eating out,” Islam said. “Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend showed minimal changes. This shift in behavior impacts the supply chain including farmers, food processors, and consumers, and it's essential to understand its welfare effects.”

Islam also works with George Davis, professor and associate department head who holds a joint appointment with the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, conducting a scoping review of over 5,000 scientific articles about the components of administrative annoyances and obstacles experienced by patients during the colorectal cancer screening process.

“Didar is a very talented, creative, curious, driven scholarly student who is also humble and easy to work with,” Davis said.

Davis's approach played a significant role in influencing Islam's decision to pursue a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. “He talked with me about why the university would be a great fit and got to know me and my goals,” Islam said.


While Davis guided Islam toward Virginia Tech, it was his passion for economics that was ignited by Muhammad Yunus and his impactful work. Reflecting on this influence, Islam expressed, “This inspired me to want to continue my academic journey.”

Yunus is a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and was a professor at the University of Chittagong, where Islam earned his bachelor's degree in economics. Yunus, also known as the "banker to the poor" established the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh in 1983, fueled by the belief that credit is a fundamental human right. His objective was to help poor people escape from poverty by providing loans on terms suitable to them and by teaching them a few sound financial principles so they could help themselves.

Islam's advice to students pursuing a Ph.D. is simple: “Find your purpose.”

When he isn’t conducting research Islam enjoys photography. “I love taking pictures of nature and our cat, Irene. I send these pictures to my family in Bangladesh so they can feel part of my life, see my beautiful surroundings, and where I’m living.”