Rate My Professor Erika Martinez

Erika Martinez is a Professor of Instruction in the Department of Economics at the University of South Florida, aligning with the Business & Economics faculty. She earned her Ph.D. in economics from Duke University in 2011, her Master's degree in economics from Duke University in 2007, and her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 2004. Prior to joining USF, she held teaching positions at Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Elon University. Her teaching portfolio encompasses Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, Intermediate Price Theory, Advanced Microeconomic Theory, and Economics of Education. She also serves as co-leader of the USF Peru Climate Change study abroad program, providing students with immersive learning experiences on economic aspects of environmental challenges.

Dr. Martinez's academic interests center on the Economics of Education, where she conducts research on educational issues ranging from school accountability and standards to early childhood development. Key projects include a large-scale study examining school accountability implications in North Carolina, drawing on statewide data from public schools and the housing market, and a longitudinal evaluation tracking children from kindergarten through second grade to assess early childhood programs through the American Association for Gifted Children at Duke University. As a member of the American Economic Association and the National Economics Association, she engages with professional networks in the field. In 2024, she received the Innovation in Online Design and Teaching Award from the University of South Florida, recognizing her first-place achievement in microeconomics course design that fosters active student participation and excellence in online instruction.