About

Andrew Weaver is an Associate Professor at the School of Labor and Employment Relations. He holds a PhD from the Sloan School of Management at MIT, an M.Econ. from the University of Maryland, an MCP from MIT, and an AB from Princeton University. Prior to his academic career, Weaver served as Vice President at NCB Capital Impact and was a Senior Business Consultant at the ICA Group. He has also started and helped start several social ventures focusing on employment in inner city areas. His research focuses on the impact of institutions on labor market outcomes, workforce-related public policy issues, and topics linking employment issues with economic productivity and growth. Weaver’s current research measures industry skill demands and explores whether skill gaps exist in the American economy. Additionally, he conducts research on consumer credit and its economic and labor market impacts.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Astrobiology
• Remote sensing
• Geology
• History
• Physics
• Astronomy
• Medicine
• Art
• Internal medicine
• General surgery
• Surgery

Selected publications

• Age-Related Differences in Pediatric Burn Characteristics: A Retrospective Analysis at Cabell Huntington Hospital

  Cureus · 2025-03-04

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Pediatric burn injuries are often unintentional and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In Appalachia, pediatric burn management faces many challenges such as geographic isolation from specialized burn units. Although it is important to lower the incidence of unintentional burn injuries in the pediatric population, there is a lack of research that focuses on differences among age groups in the region of Appalachia. Our study aims to identify factors impacting different age groups in the pediatric population and understand which group is at a higher risk. METHODS: This retrospective study included 218 pediatric patients aged 0-18 years admitted between January 2010 and June 2023. Patients were stratified into four age groups (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-18 years). Data on gender, burn sources, length of stay (LOS), total body surface area (TBSA) affected, body mass index (BMI), and inhalation injuries were analyzed. Statistical tests included chi-squared tests for categorical variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables, with significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 218 pediatric patients aged 0-18 years, consisting of 130 (56%) males with an average patient age of 6.9 years (SD ± 6.2). The cohort was further divided into four groups: 0-5 years (109, 47%); 6-10 years (37, 16%); 11-15 years (37, 16%), and 16-18 years (35, 15%), with significant difference in distribution of patients across (p<0.0001). Scald burns were most common in the 0-5-year group (80%) and 6-10-year group (75%), while flame burns were predominant in the 11-15-year group (60%) and 16-18-year group (65%). Significant variability was also noted in LOS (p=0.0017), TBSA (p=0.0112), and BMI (p=0.0003). The average LOS was 2.42 days (SD ± 3.7) in the 0-5-year group, 3.24 days (SD ± 4.1) in the 6-10-year group, 3.41 days (SD ± 4.8) in the 11-15-year group, and 5.8 days (SD ± 5.2) in the 16-18-year group. The average TBSA was 4.36% (SD ± 7.3) in the 0-5-year group, 5.16% (SD ± 8.1) in the 6-10-year group, 8.51% (SD ± 12.6) in the 11-15-year group, and 6.17% (SD ± 8.9) in the 16-18-year group. The average BMI was 19.56 (SD ± 2.3) in the 0-5-year group, 20.81 (SD ± 3.1) in the 6-10-year group, 24.11 (SD ± 3.8) in the 11-15-year group, and 25.86 (SD ± 4.2) in the 16-18-year group. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct age-related patterns were observed in a number of burn patients, including burn source, LOS, TBSA, and BMI. Younger children sustained primarily scald burns with shorter hospital stays and lower TBSA, while adolescents experienced more severe flame burns and longer hospital stays with higher TBSA. These findings emphasize the need for age-specific prevention programs and resource allocation, particularly for older children facing greater burn severity. Further research should focus on long-term outcomes and refining prevention strategies.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Appendiceal Diverticulitis Masquerading as Perforated Acute Appendicitis: Diagnostic Pitfalls With a Potential Computed Tomography Radiologic Clue

  Cureus · 2025-09-07

  articleOpen access

  We report the case of a 50-year-old man presenting with acute right lower quadrant pain and leukocytosis. Computed tomography suggested acute appendicitis with possible microperforation. Laparoscopic appendectomy revealed diverticulum-like outpouchings, and histopathology confirmed acute appendiceal diverticulitis with periappendicitis. Appendiceal diverticulitis is an uncommon but clinically significant entity due to its increased risk of perforation and possible association with neoplasia. The clinical and radiologic findings often mimic acute appendicitis, leading to under-recognition without careful review. In our case, a small gas locule seen on CT, initially interpreted as a microperforation, was retrospectively identified as a diverticulum. This finding highlights the potential diagnostic value of intramural gas micro-loculations and a saccular appendiceal contour on CT, particularly when combined with asymmetric periappendiceal fat stranding and wall thickening. Awareness of these imaging features may aid in distinguishing appendiceal diverticulitis from routine appendicitis, prompting appropriate surgical management and histopathologic assessment. Recognition of this condition is important for timely treatment and for guiding follow-up, given the associated risks.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Delayed Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernias: Tomorrow’s Emergency

  Cureus · 2025-09-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI) is an often-overlooked consequence of blunt thoracoabdominal trauma. Despite advances in imaging, many diaphragmatic injuries are not identified on initial trauma CTs, leading to delays in diagnosis and possibly life-threatening complications. While some cases present acutely with respiratory distress, others remain undetected for years, progressing to delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (dTDH). In this review, we discuss TDI and present two cases of delayed hernias that presented to the hospital and required urgent surgical intervention. However, as opposed to immediate presentation or long delayed presentation, these hernias developed in the intermediate timeframe. As such, we discuss the need for a structured follow-up for those at high risk of a traumatic hernia.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• No-Show Rates at a Plastic Surgery Clinic: Insights From Appalachian Healthcare Systems

  Cureus · 2025-01-03 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  INTRODUCTION: Missed appointments, or "no-shows," occur when patients fail to notify the healthcare clinic of their inability to attend. No-show appointments place a significant burden on healthcare systems, costing clinics hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Not only do patients miss out on receiving care, but prospective patients also face longer wait times due to appointment vacancies. This study aims to evaluate the factors associated with patient no-shows at a rural plastic surgery clinic. METHODS: Two-sample t-tests were used to compare age, BMI, weather temperature, and distance from the clinic between show and no-show groups. Chi-square tests of independence assessed the relationship between categorical variables- such as gender, clinic time (AM vs. PM), weather conditions, appointment type, insurance type, smoking status, and race- and appointment attendance. The Mann-Whitney U test analyzed the distribution of post-operative visit numbers between the show and no-show groups. To control for potential confounders, a multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the independent effects of demographic, environmental, and procedural factors on no-show rates. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in the no-show group was 40.73 years (SD = 14.08), compared to 42.85 years (SD = 12.48) for the show group. Higher no-show rates were significantly associated with male gender (p<0.01), impending weather (p<0.001), appointment type (new patient, pre-operative, post-operative) (p<0.001), and self-pay appointments (p<0.01). In addition, facial fracture follow-ups and facelift/blepharoplasty procedures showed significance (p<0.001). After adjusting for cofounders, male patients had significantly higher odds of missing their appointments compared to female patients (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.12-3.06, p = 0.014). Post-operative patients were also more likely to miss appointments than new patients (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.25-2.95, p = 0.003), while pre-operative patients showed an increased likelihood of no-show, though this did not reach statistical significance (OR = 1.45, p = 0.08). Weather conditions remained a significant factor after adjusting for other variables. Cloudy weather was associated with higher no-show rates compared to fair weather (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.20-2.34, p = 0.002), whereas light rain did not significantly affect attendance (p = 0.38). Additionally, facial procedures were linked to significantly lower no-show rates compared to body contouring procedures (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29-0.79, p = 0.004). Discussion and conclusion: No-show rates are influenced by demographic and environmental factors. Male gender, insurance type, and weather conditions were significantly associated with higher no-show rates, while age, BMI, and distance from the clinic had mixed or non-significant associations. Future studies should explore the role of telemedicine in improving patient attendance in plastic surgery clinics.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An assessment of ocean thermal energy conversion resources and climate change mitigation potential

  Climatic Change · 2025-05-01 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy system that harnesses the thermal gradient between surface and deep waters. Many multi-century simulations with a fully coupled climate-carbon cycle model are presented to explore the amount of extractable energy and the climate change mitigation potential from the widespread implementation of OTEC. The sustainability of OTEC power generation was assessed for present and possible future climate states. A warmer climate reduced the sustainable power potential of OTEC. OTEC could briefly produce over 35 TW of power and, depending on the climate state, maximum power production rates of 5 to 10 TW were found to be sustainable on multi-millennial timescales. Over 500 years of simulation, with a high emission scenario (equivalent to RCP8.5), the power from OTEC deployments, with peak power generation ranging from 3 to 15 TW at the year 2100, resulted in cumulative emission reductions equivalent to 36% to 111% of historical carbon emissions from 1750 to 2023 relative to the scenario without OTEC. Such significant emissions reductions coupled with sustained OTEC-induced mixing led to globally averaged atmosphere temperature decreases of up to 2.5 ºC by the year 2100 and up to 4 ºC by the year 2500 compared to a scenario without OTEC. While caution is required, and the engineering challenges would be large, early indications suggest that the large-scale implementation of OTEC could make a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Environmental impacts from the widespread implementation of ocean thermal energy conversion

  Climatic Change · 2025-05-01 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy system that could potentially displace significant amounts of fossil fuel-generated electricity. This study presents numerous multi-century simulations of the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model, a coupled climate-carbon cycle model, to better understand the global-scale environmental impacts of the widespread implementation of OTEC at varying total power levels (3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 TW). Environmental impacts include reduced warming of the sea surface by up to 3.1 ºC, increased heat uptake at intermediate depths, and enhanced biological production compared to a fossil fuel intensive control scenario. At year 2100, OTEC-induced mixing contributes roughly 60% of the relative cooling, while the remainder is from OTEC-related emission reductions. Once OTEC is terminated, all relative cooling is caused by accumulated emissions reductions. If acting alone, the residual effect of OTEC-induced mixing would contribute to a minor relative warming of the sea surface. The effect of OTEC on the expansion of known oxygen minimum zones was minimal. In many circumstances, OTEC deployment opposes the projected impacts of climate change. Relative to a high carbon emissions control scenario, OTEC deployment is associated with less surface warming, a smaller increase in surface water pCO 2 , a suppression of ocean acidification, and significantly smaller declines in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Despite the potential engineering challenges and economic costs, early indications suggest that the large-scale implementation of OTEC could make a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Discrimination against Women in Hiring

  Economic Development and Cultural Change · 2024-02-05 · 5 citations

  articleSenior author

  We study discrimination in hiring and its associated outcomes for the discriminators using a unique survey of Egyptian businesses. Discrimination against women is widespread and overt: about half (51%) of establishments directly admit that they prefer to hire men. The share varies widely across industries, from 60% in retail to only 16% in IT. Using a list randomization technique, we can rule out that discrimination against women is heavily stigmatized in Egypt, meaning that establishments are willing to admit it openly. We then provide novel suggestive evidence showing that discriminating against women is associated with the employment of lower-quality workers. We also provide guidance on the use of the list randomization technique and how to interpret it in settings with limited stigma.

  PublisherDOI

• The impact of labor market reforms on firm training for nonregular and regular workers

  International Journal of Social Welfare · 2024-03-25 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Nonstandard employment is typically associated with reduced opportunities for workers to accumulate human capital via job training. One policy response is to require equal access to training for nonstandard employees. In this study, we investigate the impact of a 2007 Korean labor‐market reform that required such access for nonstandard employees. Using a difference‐in‐difference methodology, we find that, overall, the reform reduced the incidence of employer‐provided training for both regular and nonregular workers. At the employer level, the negative effect for regular workers attenuates over time, implying some type of adaptation or evasion by employers that preserves differential rates of training. Although the main effects on training were negative, we find considerable heterogeneity in outcomes. Specifically, the presence of a union is associated with a significantly greater probability of postreform training for nonregular workers, while the presence of performance‐pay systems is associated with a significantly lower probability for nonregular workers and a higher probability for regular workers. Ultimately, these results imply that the success of labor‐market reforms that seek to improve nonstandard job quality depends upon employer and labor‐market characteristics. Such reforms may be most successful in situations where unions can help assure compliance with legislative intent.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• LISA telescope development status and flight design

  2024-08-23 · 5 citations

  articleSenior author

  The study of the universe through gravitational waves will yield a revolutionary new perspective on the universe, which has been intensely studied using electromagnetic waves in many wavelength bands. A space based gravitational wave observatory will enable access to a rich array of astrophysical sources in the measurement band from 0.1 mHz to 1 Hz. A space based mission complements ground based gravitational wave observatories, which typically search for signals at higher frequencies. LISA is a space based gravitational wave mission. Telescopes are one of the technology contributions from NASA to the European Space Agency (ESA) for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission. ESA adopted the LISA mission in January of 2024. We will describe the key requirements for the flight telescopes and summarize the current status of the technology development effort.

  PublisherDOI

• Coming to terms with climate change: a glossary for climate change impacts on mental health and well-being

  Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · 2024-12-18 · 12 citations

  articleOpen access

  Climate change is a major threat to global health. Its effects on physical health are increasingly recognised, but mental health impacts have received less attention. The mental health effects of climate change can be direct (resulting from personal exposure to acute and chronic climatic changes), indirect (via the impact on various socioeconomic, political and environmental determinants of mental health) and overarching (via knowledge, education and awareness of climate change). These impacts are unequally distributed according to long-standing structural inequities which are exacerbated by climate change. We outline key concepts and pathways through which climate change may affect mental health and explore the responses to climate change at different levels, from emotions to politics, to highlight the need for multilevel action. We provide a broad reference to help guide researchers, practitioners and policy-makers in the use and understanding of different terms in this rapidly growing interdisciplinary field.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Michael Eby

  72 shared

• Kevin J. Flannelly

  Luke Neuhedel Foundation

  40 shared

• Harold G. Koenig

  Duke Medical Center

  39 shared

• Oleg A. Saenko

  University of Victoria

  27 shared

• Edward J. Brook

  Oregon State University

  27 shared

• Katrin J. Meißner

  26 shared

• Chris Marone

  Sapienza University of Rome

  26 shared

• A. F. Sheehan

  University of Colorado Boulder

  25 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Environmental Science and Management

  University of California, Santa Barbara

  1998

• M.S., Environmental Science

  University of British Columbia

  1992

• B.A., Geography

  University of British Columbia

  1989