Author: Wyatt del Valle (MS IDEC ’26)
Jambo! My name is Wyatt del Valle. I am a second-year IDEC student at the University of San Francisco, and this summer I had the pleasure of being a Graduate Fellow at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya. I earned my B.S. in Economics at USF and decided to stay on as a 4+1 student to complete my M.S. in International and Development Economics (IDEC) in just one additional year instead of two, a decision I am very happy to have made.
The economics department at USF is a wonderful community. Over the past several years, I have learned so much about myself, my interests, and, of course, economics. Being part of the department has been incredibly rewarding, and I am saddened that it must come to an end this May. Of all the countless opportunities the department has given me, spending my summer at ILRI stands out as one of the most memorable, having fostered experiences I will never forget.
Hiking Mount Kenya!
A requirement of IDEC students is that we take part in fieldwork to engage our curiosity and strengthen our skills as academics. I saw this requirement as a great opportunity to expand my worldview by connecting with new communities, all while flexing my academic muscles and applying what I learned in the classroom to the real world. I had first heard about ILRI from a former IDEC student who had worked there the previous summer and gave rave reviews, particularly highlighting the ILRI community and rigorous work. When the time came to choose a destination for my fieldwork, ILRI was my first choice. I was eager to work with such a distinguished team of researchers on something that felt meaningful. Plus, I had never been to the African continent, which certainly sweetened the deal.
Working at ILRL.
ILRI is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a global research partnership focused on transforming agriculture, water, and livestock amidst climate change. While at ILRI, I worked as part of the Livestock, Climate, and Environment (LCE) team, which focuses specifically on helping to establish climate resilience and adaptive strategies for extreme conditions in the Horn of Africa. I worked with high-frequency panel data detailing the presence of resource-based conflict in agropastoral and pastoral communities in Kenya and Ethiopia, comparing it with Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and a Reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI) to discern the connection between conflict and hunger.
This work required me to use both the technical and analytical skills I had developed throughout my time at USF. Using R, I cleaned and explored the data, converting variables, creating new ones, building indices, constructing models, and producing visualizations that turned complex data into accessible insights. My progress was supported by the assistance of my peers and the guidance of my supervisor, who checked in regularly. My time at ILRI was incredibly meaningful and helped me expand my skills in ways I could not have anticipated.
In addition to working behind a computer, I was also able to participate in fieldwork in Isiolo, a town about six hours north of Nairobi.
Collecting tea leaves.
During periods of resource scarcity, pastoral communities must often find alternative sources of income, sometimes resorting to raiding neighboring communities’ livestock. As part of the LCE team, I traveled north of Nairobi to assist in the training and piloting of an intervention program aimed at discouraging livestock raiding and supporting alternative livelihoods. The process involved bringing in people from communities across Kenya and training them to show a video and facilitate discussions about the impact of livestock raiding and more productive alternatives to income during times of scarcity. My role included tracking participant performance, helping to refine discussion questions, and observing the piloting of the intervention.
The experience gave me valuable insight into PhD-level research and data collection. It was an incredibly enriching experience that opened my eyes to the inner workings of resilience and community progress. Fieldwork strengthened me as a learner and will continue to shape my perspective as I wrap up my M.S. and step into my career.
Of course, my time in Nairobi wasn’t all work. While there, I made new friends and had incredible opportunities to explore Kenya. At ILRI, I connected with students from all over the world, and together we went on many adventures. From a three-day backpacking trip up Mt. Kenya to paragliding over Naivasha, there was never a dull moment. The friendships I built over the summer are deeply valuable to me and stand as one of my greatest takeaways from the entire experience.
Paragliding!
A big thank you to USF, the economics department, and especially my faculty advisor, Professor Hobbs, for providing me with this unforgettable opportunity.
