About Me
Alec Hoover is a Ph.D. candidate in Economics at the University of California, San Diego, specializing in labor and public economics. His current research focuses on peer effects and health behaviors, with an emphasis on how social and institutional environments shape individual decision-making and well-being.
Alec is committed to student-centered teaching and has served as an instructor and teaching assistant for introductory and core undergraduate economics courses. He aims to cultivate a learning environment that is rigorous, collaborative, and grounded in real-world applications of economic theory.
Before beginning his doctoral studies, Alec worked as a Data Analyst at the U.S. Military Academy’s Office of Manpower and Economic Analysis, where he conducted research in labor and personnel economics.
Outside of academia, Alec is an avid runner and looks forward to racing in the 2026 Boston Marathon.
Research
My research examines how social and institutional environments influence decisions around health and education. Current projects focus on the impact of workplace policies and peers.
Works in Progress
Workplace Spillovers in Health (draft available upon request)
Using personnel data from the US Army, I explore the impact of coworker physical fitness on adult fitness and weight status
Family Spillovers in Health and Fitness
Do shocks to parent fitness and weight status spillover to their spouse and children? I look at the impact of being assigned to a high fitness peer group on spouse and child weight status
The Impact of Workplace Drug Testing on Prescription Drug Use
with Carson Homme
Workplace drug testing aims to improve worker performance by increasing the cost of illicit drugs. This project explores the impact of increased drug testing on the consumption of prescription drugs - a close substitute for illicit drugs.
Peer Effects of Education in the Workplace
with Andrew Hoover
This project examines the impact of coworker educational experience on the decision of enlisted Army soldiers to return to school. We focus on the understudied population of adults who opted out of the high school to college pipeline.
Teaching
I strive to create a welcoming, student-centered classroom where economic theory comes alive through real-world applications. My approach emphasizes clarity, open dialogue, and interactive learning, equipping students with the tools to both master the material and apply it meaningfully beyond the classroom. I have been certified in student-centered college teaching.
Lead Instructor, ECON1: Principles of Microeconomics
Summer 2025
Teaching Assistant, ECON1: Principles of Microeconomics
Teaching Assistant, ECON100A: Intermediate Microeconomics A
Teaching Assistant, ECON100B: Intermediate Microeconomics B
Teaching Assistant, ECON120B, Intermediate Econometrics B
Fall 2023, Spring 2025, Fall 2025
Spring 2024, Fall 2024
Winter 2024, Summer 2024
Winter 2025
Service to the University
Organizer, Graduate Student Research Seminar
Academic Year 2024-2025
Organized weekly research presentations for graduate students to practice presenting and receive constructive feedback on research
Graduate Student Representative, The Mentoring Project
Academic Year 2023-2025
Collaborated on initiatives to enhance mentoring opportunities between faculty and graduate students, contributing ideas and feedback to strengthen professional development and academic support.
Running
Running is my favorite way to stay active, clear my mind, and explore new places.
