Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Mānoa, 2010 M.A., University of Hawaii at Mānoa, 2006  B.A., Whitworth University, 2002 Email: geri@spu.edu Phone: (206) 281-2709 Office: DLMH 209 Teaching and Research areas:  Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Human Resource Economics, Political Economy Dr. Mason's personal home page: myhome.spu.edu/geri

Experience:  Dr. Mason completed her Ph.D. in Economics in 2010, receiving several academic honors. Her fields of research interest include development economics and human resource economics.

Professor Mason's teaching experience includes both micro and macroeconomics, as well as health economics. Before coming to SPU, she taught at her home institution, the University of Hawaii, and spent a year teaching at the University of Puget Sound, while completing her doctorate.

Her research focuses on the economics of microfinance and development, encompassing current debates in microfinance. Articulating her passion for poverty and economic development, her research examines the group lending methodology and the potential impact of its introduction into a rural financial market. In addition, she explores the use of technology for financial capital accumulation in microfinance. Her research also encompasses the challenges and innovations surrounding microfinance in China, and the impact of the political economy of China on the Chinese microfinance industry. This interest in microfinance and economic development as means for poverty alleviation stems from a passion to impact the poor in developing nations, and was strengthened by her travels in China.

A Northwest native, she and her husband, Joshua, love the outdoors and Seattle. They worship at Quest Church. From a large family, Geri and her husband enjoy spending time with her 14 nieces and nephews. Geri loves grey days, rain, and artisan espresso.