Nicolás Salinas Reyes

Nicolás Salinas Reyes is a first-generation, low-income college student from Charlotte, NC, with proud Colombian and Mexican heritage. As a double major in Economics and Global Affairs with a concentration in Latin America, his academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding and addressing issues of inequality, poverty, and sustainable development in the region. His research interests focus on labor income inequality, education, local-based economic development, environmental governance, and climate change adaptation.

In his Global Affairs thesis, Nico analyzed environmental governance in Colombia, emphasizing lessons learned from post-peace process initiatives to promote sustainability in fragile settings. His Economics thesis investigates labor income inequality in Mexico, exploring the impacts of informality, gender disparities, and education on wage structures and poverty. Across these projects, Nico enjoys leveraging data science and economic analysis to inform decision-making and create actionable insights. Through his work, Nico aims to contribute to equitable and sustainable development in Latin America, drawing on his personal connection to the region and passion for research and advocacy.

Areas of research and geographical interest: 

Inequality, Development, Education, Infrastructure, Macroeconomics - All of Latin America focus on: Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile