Lucas Rentschler

Lucas Rentschler is an Associate Professor of Economics at Utah State University, specializing in experimental economics and applied game theory. His approach to undergraduate mentorship reflects a core belief: students learn best when they participate in creating knowledge rather than receiving it.

Dr. Rentschler has co-authored papers with several undergraduate students, including publications in peer-reviewed outlets such as Games and Economic Behavior, Review of Behavioral Economics, and Journal of Applied Economics. Notably, a project with several students (two of whom were undergraduates) became a collaboration with Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith, resulting in undergraduate students co-authoring a paper with a Nobel Laureate in a top field journal.

Dr. Rentschler introduces students to professional circles through conference participation and collaboration with established scholars. His mentorship continues past graduation, and he has co-authored papers with former students years after they left USU. His mentees have gone on to top PhD programs such as UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and Cornell University.

As Director of USU's Experimental Economics Laboratory, Dr. Rentschler has designed an innovative course in Experimental Economics, and has built an environment where undergraduates contribute to ongoing research, moving from consumers of knowledge to producers.