A specialist in economic development, with emphasis on Latin America, Dr. Ladman's research has focused on rural credit for small farmers, Mexican migration, and the U.S.-Mexico border economy. His work has concentrated on Bolivia, Central American countries, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. He had a Fulbright grant in Ecuador and he has resided in Mexico twice, where he worked with the Ford Foundation, and the Dominican Republic. Jerry directed the OSU Center for Latin American Studies and served seven years as Associate Provost for International Affairs prior to his retirement in 2007.