"We should all 'grow up' to be just like Amartya. I am very happy that he has been honored with the Nobel prize," Metrick said.

S. Madiha Murshed '99, a former student in Sen's class Economy 1395, "Development and Living Standards" said, "I think the man is brilliant. He has changed the way we think about famines, hunger and human development and influenced policy in a dramatic way."

Daniel Altman '96, a graduate student in the Department of Economics and a former Crimson executive, also was a student of Sen's.

"He's a hugely impressive intellect. I was not surprised [that he won the Nobel Prize]," he said.

Other graduate students who work with him say that Sen is generous with his time.

"It is this aspect of Professor Sen that sets him apart, this deeply human quality," said Arun Abraham in a statement. Abraham is a master's degree student in public policy and in theology who has worked as Sen's research assistant for three years.

Sen has also been president of the International Economic Association, the Indian Economic Association, the American Economic Association and the Econometric Society. He was also awarded an honorary vice presidency by the Royal Economic Society.

Sen's published works include Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation, Collective Choice and Social Welfare and Hunger and Public Action.