Previous GA Support Team
Venkat Anudeep Muppala
Master's Student, Data Analytics.
anudeep@nmsu.edu
Venkat is originally from India. He has been in the US for his studies since 2021. After completing his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, he continued his master's in Data Analytics. He was a GA at C-BED in 2023 and 2024
Hayford Danso
Doctorate of Economic Development (DED) Student
hdanso@nmsu.edu
Hayford has over 10 years of experience in the banking sector, having worked with various banks in Ghana. His expertise encompasses Economic Impact Analysis, Industry Cluster Analysis, Community Engagement, Development Financing, Loan Syndication, Credit Appraisal, Credit Risk Management, Banking Operations, and Relationship Management for large corporations and institutions. Before joining the DED Program in August 2022, Hayford spent eight years teaching at various educational levels in Ghana.
Jesus Benitez
Doctorate of Economic Development (DED) Student
Department of Economics, Applied Statistics, and International Business, NMSU
jesben51@nmsu.edu
Jesus, who is originally from Mexico, is currently a student in the DED program at NMSU and worked at C-BED as a graduate assistant. He has experience in industrial engineering and management consulting. He has a master's in Economics with Data Analytics from The University of Texas at El Paso and an MBA from Sul Ross State University. His bachelor's degree is in Industrial and Electrical Engineering
Jason Banegas
Statewide Forecasting Specialist.
Cooperative Extension Service (CES) at NMSU
zumbabwe@nmsu.edu
ason has 5 years of teaching, research, and economic development experience at NMSU. He worked as graduate assistant at C-BED and with CES for the CREATE BRIDGES initiative. He currently is a student in the Doctorate of Economic Development program and the Water Science and Management Ph.D. Program at NMSU. He received his B.A. in Classics from University of New Mexico; M.A. in Economics from University of Oklahoma; two Technical certificates from Texas A&M Engineering Extension for Infrastructure Disaster Management and Infrastructure Protection, and a Teaching Certificate from NMSU/ACUE for Effective Online Teaching Practices
Ezekiel Evaro
Master's Student, Computer Science
Master of Business Administration, Finance and Information Systems
zklevaro@nmsu.edu
Ezekiel Isaiah Evaro, born and raised in the vibrant community of Las Cruces, New Mexico. My educational foundation was laid at New Mexico State University, where I earned a Bachelors in Marketing and Accounting, setting the stage for a multifaceted career journey. Armed with an MBA, I currently serve as a System Analyst, seamlessly blending business acumen with technical expertise. As I pursue my second Master's in Computer Science, my commitment to continuous learning and growth remains unwavering. My time at New Mexico State University instilled in me a robust skill set and an unyielding work ethic. Let's connect to explore collaborative opportunities and share insights.
Percy Taabazuing
Doctor of Economic Development (DED), NMSU
percyt@nmsu.edu
Percy Taabazuing, who is originally from Ghana, graduated from the DED program at NMSU in 2024. Percy has a master’s degree in financial economics from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Ghana in Ghana. Percy has worked at HSBC Bank in the U.S. in investment banking and has worked in finance in the mining and non-governmental industry in Ghana. He is currently Strategic Analyst (Field Eonomist)/State program manager, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
Kwaku Boakye
Doctor of Economic Development (DED), NMSU
kboakye@nmsu.edu
Kwaku Boakye, who is originally from Ghana, graduated from the DED program at NMSU in 2024. During his time at NMSU, Kwaku was a graduate assistant both at C-BED for various terms and at the Department of Economics, Applied Statistics, and International Business. Kwaku obtained a Master of Philosophy degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics both from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana. Prior to joining NMSU, Kwaku was a research assistant for 4 years at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension at UCC in Ghana. While at UCC, Kwaku also worked part-time for the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly as an assistant statistician for 2 years. He also worked as a research consultant/data analyst for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Central Region, Ghana). Kwaku is currently working as Field Economist in the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Luz E. Castillo Gomez
Masters Student, Aerospace Engineering
luzecg@nmsu.edu
Luz, who is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, worked at C-BED as a graduate assistant. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2023 at NMSU and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering also at NMSU with a specialization in Computational Fluid Dynamics. Luz is currently a research assistant in the field of computational fluid dynamics and has worked on various projects exploring the applications of this technology in the aerospace industry.
Komla Koumi
Doctor of Economic Development (DED), NMSU
kmkoumi@nmsu.edu
Komla, who is originally from Togo in West Africa, graduated from the DED program at NMSU in 2024. During his time at NMSU, he was a graduate assistant both at C-BED for various terms and at the Department of Economics, Applied Statistics, and International Business. Komla has extensive experience in higher education; economic development and financing; international relations; and in program monitoring, reporting and evaluation working mainly with U.S. Diplomatic Missions and with bilateral and international organizations. He earned a master’s degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University International Business School in Boston as a Fulbright Scholar and after completing an Economics and Management Degree from the University of Lomé in Togo. Komla is currently Assistant Research Professional in the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama.
Erin Sumner
Doctor of Economic Development (DED), NMSU
esumner@nmsu.edu
Erin Sumner is a second-year doctoral student in the Doctor of Economic Development Program and a first-year doctoral student in the Water Science Ph.D program at New Mexico State University. Her current research includes a focus on educational policies and institutions that foster economic development. Additional interests include water supply and management practices that provide access to water for developing communities.
