Since joining New Mexico State University in 2019, Jamal Mamkhezri has focused on strengthening the university’s presence in energy economics. Mamkhezri, an associate professor in the Department of Economics, Applied Statistics and International Business, has concentrated his research on environmental and natural resource economics, particularly fossil fuels and renewable energy.
“My research interest lies in the field of environmental and natural resource economics, with a specific emphasis on fossil fuels and renewables,” Mamkhezri said.
Mamkhezri earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of New Mexico in 2019. His dissertation explored both market and non-market valuation of renewable energy within the electricity sector.
In March 2024, he was named to the College of Business’s Chevron Endowed Professorship. The professorship was established in 2012 to honor Sen. Pete Domenici and supports faculty involved in advancing energy economics through research, teaching, and advising.
“My current work integrates the study of economic and environmental trade-offs, using complex systems modeling to assess consumer preferences for renewable energy adoption,” Mamkhezri added.
Mamkhezri is currently utilizing funds from this professorship along with state and federal grants exceeding $2 million to further his research efforts globally. In June 2024, he presented at the International Association of Energy Economics conference in Turkey. There he shared findings from a survey conducted among 1,500 U.S. residents about their attitudes toward battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and related energy sources.
The study was published in January 2025 by Energy Economics journal. It reported that U.S. taxpayers are willing to pay more for increased BEV adoption within transportation systems. Survey participants also favored job creation linked to vehicle decarbonization efforts and preferred tax credits as incentives over options like free charging or parking.
During his first year at NMSU, Mamkhezri contributed to developing an undergraduate concentration in energy economics designed to prepare students for careers including administrative roles within the sector.
“We have all the right resources in New Mexico,” he said. “It is the second-highest producer of oil in the United States. It boasts more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and the wind that flows through the eastern part of the state has the potential to generate a tremendous amount of energy.”
Mamkhezri’s profile has grown both at NMSU and nationally over recent years. He received teaching recognition from NMSU’s College of Business in 2023 as well as a college award for research excellence one year later.
Also highlighted by external organizations: In 2023, his SEED Award project was recognized by the National Science Foundation for supporting underrepresented students pursuing studies related to energy economics; he was elected vice president for Academic Affairs on the United States Association for Energy Economics Executive Council; finally, during spring convocation 2025 at NMSU he received an Early Career Award from its University Research Council honoring exceptional scholarly achievements.
