As we begin the Fall 2026 semester, the UF/IFAS Department of Food and Resource Economics is thrilled to welcome a familiar face back to the McCarty Hall, as Dr. Ting Cao joins the faculty as our newest assistant instructional professor.
Cao, who will be teaching AEB 3103: Principles of Food and Resource Economics and AEB 3133: Principles of Agribusiness Management, graduated from the University of Florida Ph.D. in Food and Resource Economics program in Spring 2024.
“As a former Ph.D. student in our department, I have learned so much from the outstanding faculty and the supportive community here,” Cao said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back by teaching and mentoring the students.”
While her research expertise lies in the areas of applied economics, agricultural and resource economics, and food market analysis, Cao’s passion for undergraduate education and student mentorship led her to seek out teaching focused roles.
“What I enjoy most is seeing students gain confidence and begin applying what they learn to real-life situations,” Cao said. “It is especially rewarding when students make connections between classroom concepts and the decisions they encounter in their everyday lives or future careers.”
For the past two years, she has served as a Postdoctoral Associate in the UF Department of Economics, where she strengthened her skills as an instructor by independently designed and teaching several undergraduate courses, such as Managerial Economics and Economics of Competitive Strategy.
“I strive to create an interactive and supportive learning environment by incorporating discussions, real-world examples and hands-on activities,” Cao said. “My goal is to help students not only understand the concepts but also develop the confidence to apply them in practice.”
As she settles back into the Department of Food and Resource Economics, Cao is excited to continue on her journey as an educator while fully immersing herself in the teaching community.
“I am most excited about developing engaging and inclusive courses, and becoming an active member of the FRE teaching community,” Cao said. “I look forward to contributing to the department while continuing to grow as an educator.
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