EPIC welcomes a new class of fellows to the highly-competitive program which provides young researchers who have completed their bachelor’s degrees the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in a full-time work environment under the guidance of EPIC-affiliated faculty and researchers.
Sanghwa Ahn
Sanghwa Ahn is a pre-doctoral fellow at EPIC working with Fiona Burlig. He supports projects at the intersection of energy, environmental, and development economics, currently focusing on a project regarding an enforcement experiment for electricity bill payments in India. Originally from South Korea, Ahn received his BA in Economics with minors in Asian History and Financial Economics from Seoul National University. He has broad interests in environmental and development economics, along with academic experience and interests in international economics, industrial organization, and economic history. As an active organizer within academic circles, he leads groups of students in Chicago and Seoul who are interested in academic and scientific approaches to climate, environmental, and energy issues.
“I have long been fascinated by research from EPIC, and I was thrilled to receive an offer to join this dynamic and productive community, which is filled with scholars at the forefront of their fields and talented young researchers. Fiona’s research agenda closely aligns with the topics I hope to explore in graduate school, and this program provides an ideal opportunity to actively engage in the entire research process and to learn extensively about the key questions, collaboration, and methodologies involved. I believe that the experience I gain at EPIC will ultimately help me become a collaborator in this field, contributing to advancing economics and public policies to address the pressing climate, environmental, and energy challenges ahead.”
Elliot Grenier
Elliot Grenier is a pre-doctoral fellow at EPIC working with the Climate Impact Lab. He is currently supporting a project which aims to assess inequality in both the impacts and causes of future global warming. Grenier is interested in applied microeconomics with a focus on environmental economics and political economy. His previous research has explored how voters and their representatives adjust their political attitudes towards the environment as a result of climate change. He holds a Master’s in Economics from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada and a Bachelor’s in Honors Economics from Western University in London, Canada. In his free time, Elliot enjoys live music, reading, and exploring Chicago.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Climate Impact Lab and of the greater EPIC community. Joining CIL has given me the unique opportunity to learn from economists and climate scientists alike alongside a cohort of bright and driven fellow pre-docs. The collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of CIL will allow me to grow as a researcher all while working on projects that inform climate policy.”
Wanru Wu
Wanru is a pre-doctoral fellow at EPIC, working with Professor Michael Greenstone on several projects, including the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas and cloud seeding in China. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from Johns Hopkins University. Her academic interests lie in Environmental Economics, Development Economics, and Macro Theory. Wu is passionate about using economics to expand people’s freedom and improve their well-being.
“I chose EPIC because it offers me the opportunity to research one of the most pressing issues that will impact people’s lives in the near future—climate change. I am particularly interested in investigating how inequality will be affected and exploring ways to protect vulnerable populations. I feel honored to have the chance to discuss these critical issues with professors and peers at EPIC.”
Keishi Kimura
Keishi Kimura is a pre-doctoral fellow at EPIC working with Michael Greenstone. He is currently working on a randomized control trial that examines the effectiveness of smart meters in reducing AT&C losses in India. Kimura is broadly interested in energy policy, science and innovation, and economic growth, and he also leads a Progress Studies reading group. Kimura holds a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago, where his honors thesis explored the geography of AI innovation in the U.S.
“Working at EPIC has been an invaluable experience. My team is friendly and collaborative, and I benefit from seminars and close interactions with professors and PhD students. Most importantly, constant engagement with fellow pre-docs has been key to broadening my understanding of various fields and methods within economics.”
Marsya Paramita Candradewi
Marsya Paramita Candradewi is a pre-doctoral fellow at EPIC. She works with Michael Greenstone on research projects related to energy and development, including estimating the demand for electrification at the global electrification frontier and analyzing the impact of new technology adoption on power company revenue. Previously, Candradewi worked at Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, focusing on raw minerals industrialization efforts. She holds an M.A. in Public Policy Studies with Certificate in Research Methods from the University of Chicago and a B.Sc. in Economics from Universitas Gadjah Mada.
“Coming from Indonesia, I am driven by the question of how developing countries can achieve sustainable growth without relying on dirty energy sources. Working with my PI, Michael Greenstone, whose research on the Economics of the Global Energy Challenge addresses this critical question, has been a unique opportunity to contribute to the cutting-edge solutions. Being at EPIC also means I am constantly surrounded by leaders in the field, supportive peers, and numerous opportunities to grow as a young researcher. I have already deepened my research skills significantly in the short time I have been here.
Caleb Halvorson-Fried
Caleb Halvorson-Fried is a pre-doctoral fellow at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC). He is working with Professor Koichiro Ito on a project investigating the spillover effects of environmental regulation in the context of the multinational automobile industry. Originally from Maine, Halvorson-Fried earned his BA from Columbia University, where he majored in Economics-Philosophy, graduating magna cum laude. After working for a few years in the renewable energy industry, he went on to complete a Master’s in International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute in Switzerland. He is glad to be back in the US and enjoys commuting by bike along Chicago’s beautiful Lakefront Trail.
“My experience working with Professor Koichiro Ito on frontier research in environmental economics has surpassed my expectations. EPIC and the broader UChicago community provide a remarkably stimulating environment, with the opportunity to attend seminars led by leading scholars and engage in rigorous graduate-level coursework. I also feel like every day gives me the chance to develop invaluable research skills that I expect to aid me in my time here at UChicago and beyond.”
To learn more about the program or apply, visit here.