Mehmood, Sayeed
Sayeed Mehmood
Dr. Sayeed Mehmood is an economist who researches natural resource usage, environmental policies, sustainable economic development, and human behavior in natural environments. He is an Associate Professor of Natural Resources Economics in Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources. He taught at the University of Arkansas at Monticello before he moved to Ohio State in July 2017. His work applies economic and other social science theories to explain human behavior interactions with natural resources and the environment.
“Given all the environmental, economic, and social problems of today, we need you; the world needs you. You are, in many ways, better than us. You grew up being acutely aware of the environmental issues facing humanity.” - Dr. Mehmood, 2023
Adhikari, R.K., N.C. Poudyal, T.O. Ochuodho, R. Parajuli, O. Joshi, S.R. Mehmood, J.F. Munsell, G. Dhungel, W. Thomas, E. Crocker. 2023. Predictors of Landowners’ Intention to Manage Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Kentucky. Forest Science. In Press.
Hoy, M., R. Parajuli, S. Chizmar, O. Joshi, J. Gordon, S. Mehmood, J.E. Henderson, P. Khanal, O. Witthun, and L. Buntrock. 2022. Business outlook of private urban forestry in the Northeast-Midwest region of the United States. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, 48(5):278-292.
Parajuli, R., S. Chizmar, M. Hoy, O. Joshi, J. Gordon, S. Mehmood, J.E. Henderson, J. Poudel, O. Witthun, and L. Buntrock. 2022. Economic contribution analysis of urban forestry in the Northeastern and Midwest States of the United States in 2018. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 69:127490.
Tian, N., J. Gan, S. Mehmood, and M. Pelkki. 2022. Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowners (NIPF) Willingness to Pay for Forest Certification in Arkansas. Small Scale Forestry 21:681-695.
Joshi, O., & Mehmood, S. R. (2011). Factors affecting nonindustrial private forest landowners’ willingness to supply woody biomass for bioenergy. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35(1), 186-192.
Born in 1969, the vibrant landscape of Bangladesh shaped Dr. Sayeed Mehmood’s formative years, fostering his passion for forestry and launching his academic journey. Dr. Mehmood comes from a family of educators. His father, a physics professor, and his mother, a dedicated school teacher, nurtured high academic aspirations for their son. Reflecting the traditional values of many Asian families, they initially encouraged him to pursue a career in medicine or engineering. However, Dr. Mehmood’s interests took him on a different path. A pivotal moment came when a family member, already immersed in the field of forestry, extended an invitation to explore this discipline. Dr. Mehmood accepted the offer, visited the world of forestry, and from that moment, he was captivated by its potential and possibilities.
In 1993, he graduated from the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh with an undergraduate degree in forestry. His quest for knowledge led him to the United States to pursue advanced degrees, and in 1995, he earned his master’s of science in forest economics from the University of Maine.
Undeterred in his pursuit of knowledge and expertise, Dr. Mehmood continued his academic odyssey by embarking on a Ph.D. program in forest economics and policy at Auburn University, culminating in his graduation in 1999. To further enrich his educational background, he undertook the challenge of completing an MBA degree at the University of Arkansas in 2016.
In 2000, following the completion of his PhD, Dr. Mehmood embarked on a dynamic academic journey. He began a postdoctoral fellowship at Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Management, where he stayed for a year and a half. In 2001, he joined the faculty at the School of Forest Resources, University of Arkansas at Monticello, as Assistant Professor, marking a significant milestone in his career. In 2007, Dr. Mehmood’s dedication and contributions led to his tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.
In 2017, Dr. Mehmood welcomed a new chapter in his professional life by accepting an Associate Professor position at The Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR). This transition allowed him to broaden the scope of his research, capitalizing on SENR’s comprehensive range of environmental focuses, encompassing water, fisheries, and environmental policy.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mehmood’s unwavering identity as an economist shone through regardless of the specific topic. He researches the intricate relationships between human behavior, natural resources, and environmental concerns, seeking to offer economic perspectives to explain these phenomena. Specifically, Dr. Mehmood investigates econometric models of private forest landowner behavior, the economic impacts of ecosystem restoration projects, environmental policies, economic analyses of natural resource sectors, biomass energy and related policy issues, sustainable natural resource-based economic development, and social and community forestry.
He served as peer reviewer for numerous articles in Forest Science, Journal of Forest Economics, Journal of Forestry, Human Dimensions of Wildlife, Energy Policy, Biomass and Bioenergy, Contemporary Economic Policy, Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Land Economics, Southern Journal of Applied Forestry and Forest Policy and Economics.
He serves as associate editor for the Journal of Forestry and the Society and Natural Resources.
Several individuals significantly influenced Dr. Mehmood’s academic journey. Notably, a family member who initially sparked his interest in forestry transitioned to a diplomatic career for Bangladesh, exemplifying the evolving paths of individuals. While pursuing a master’s degree, he benefited greatly from the guidance of his advisor, Dr. David Field, at the University of Maine. This mentorship left a lasting impact on his academic development.
Dr. Mehmood worked closely with his Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Daowei Zhang, in his doctoral studies. The two frequently collaborated on projects that enriched Dr. Mehmood’s academic experience and contributed to his growing expertise in the field.
As a professor, Dr. Mehmood has been fortunate to pass on his knowledge and mentor many graduate and undergraduate students. It is a point of pride for him to see that some of his former graduate students have gone on to become esteemed professors in their own right, a testament to his positive influence on their lives.
Dr. Mehmood offers invaluable advice to aspiring individuals interested in the natural resources and environmental fields: “Choose the natural resources and environmental fields. In today’s world, where environmental, economic, and social challenges are paramount, your passion and commitment are needed more than ever. You are, in many ways, better equipped than previous generations, having grown up with a deep awareness of the pressing environmental issues that humanity faces. Unlike us, you possess a strong desire to take action and lead by example. There’s no better way to make a tangible impact than by immersing yourself in these fields and gaining a comprehensive understanding of their multifaceted dimensions. I urge you, however, to approach this journey with an open mind. Allow science to be your guide and educator, as it has the power to enlighten, inform, and equip you to address the complex challenges of our time” (2023).
Ohio State University. 2023. Sayeed Mehmood. https://senr.osu.edu/our-people/sayeed-mehmood.
Survey and interviews conducted by Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative staff. 2022-2023. Yale University-School of the Environment. New Haven, Connecticut.