Mariano Torras, Ph.D.: Teaching the Importance of Economics

Since 1999, Dr. Mariano Torras has been sharing his multi-faceted knowledge of economics with Adelphi students. With a doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Dr. Torras regards economics as a concept central to most of the world’s issues and problems. “Economics is about the choices that people make,” Dr. Torras said. The main sector of economics that interests Dr. Torras is environmental economics, which provides an opportunity to relate the ever-growing problem of climate change to utilizing economic methods. “There’s a lot more to the problem than science,” Dr. Torras said. “Science is the easy part, demonstrating that there is a problem. But there is the issue of the political and economic decisions on what to do about it.”

Dr. Torras teaches a wide array of courses that include Economic Development, The Price System and Mathematical Methods for Economists. Dr. Torras tries to maintain a classroom that is interactive and personable. “I try to encourage the students as much as possible to participate in class,” Dr. Torras said. “I don’t like the idea so much of me just lecturing to them.” He helps students stay engaged by assigning reading that is current, making sure the content of his material is relevant.

Aside from being a dynamic force in the classroom, Dr. Torras has had much success with publishing his writing in scientific journals and books. His book, Welfare, Inequality, and Resource Depletion: A Reassessment of Brazilian Economic Growth, 1965-1998 (Burlington:Ashgate Publishing) was published in 2003. He also spearheaded prominent research in 2006 that investigated the effect of immigrant populations on Long Island economy. “Strengthening Long Island: The Economic Contributions of Immigrants to Nassau and Suffolk Counties,” sponsored by the Hagedorn Foundation, concluded that immigrants are major contributors, providing billions to the Long Island economy in 2006 and generating more than 80,000 jobs as a result of consumer spending. Dr. Torras upholds his duty to give back to Adelphi University outside of teaching with high regard. “My role is also as an active member of the Adelphi community to participate…to contribute in ways through service, through serving on committees and by just being an active member on campus.”

Dr. Torras received an M.A. from Fordham University; and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.