Maria Ilcheva is a research professor at the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, Florida International University, and the assistant director of planning and operations of the Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center. She has 15+ years of experience working on various economic development, social and behavioral projects. She is a subject matter expert in data analytics, designing and applying advanced research methodologies for demographic, economic, statistical, and geographic information system analysis.
Her work includes an array of evidence-based studies and policy work focused on issues including community needs assessments and service gaps, gender and racial equity and disparity, housing affordability, reapportionment/redistricting, program evaluation, business and economic development, and climate and hurricane resilience.