Award
Celebrating the 2025 SFU Economics graduate award winners
Congratulations to our graduate students whose outstanding academic performance and passion for economics has earned them this year's Department of Economics graduate student awards.
Lang Wong Memorial Endowment Scholarship
Named in memory of Lang Wong who devoted over 50 years of his life to the cause of international development, this award is presented to an outstanding international graduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence.
2025 - Eric (Hau Pang) Chow
I joined Simon Fraser University as a PhD student in Economics in Fall 2023, after completing my MS in Economics at the Australian National University. My research interests lie in understanding how micro-level heterogeneity among agents shapes macroeconomic distributional outcomes. In particular, I aim to study how inattention, learning, and expectations influence the distributional effects of macroeconomic policies. I am also interested in using experimental methods, where appropriate, to test theoretical insights and behavioral mechanisms within a macroeconomic framework. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue an academic career that allows me to continue developing this research agenda.
2025 - Xinhao Dong
I’m Xinhao (Jack) Dong, a PhD candidate in Economics at Simon Fraser University. I joined the MA program in 2022 and entered the PhD in 2023. My interests lie in macroeconomics and monetary policy, with a broad curiosity about how banks and financial markets shape policy transmission and real activity. I’m also drawn to the macroeconomics of demographics and families—how fertility, education, and pensions interact with growth, inequality, and long-run welfare. Methodologically, I enjoy work that bridges theory and evidence, from clean identification to structural modeling and calibration. In teaching, I especially enjoy microeconomics: strong microfoundations make for better macro models, and I like helping students connect individual behavior and market structure to the aggregate outcomes we study.
Nanda Family Graduate Fellowship in Economics
Established in 2021 with a generous gift from Shiva and Elizabeth Nanda, the fellowship is intended to provide financial support to students pursuing their doctoral degree at Simon Fraser University's Department of Economics.
2025 - Kiarash Hosseini
Kiarash joined Simon Fraser University in September 2020 after completing his undergraduate degree in engineering and a master’s degree in economics, as well as gaining work experience as a data analyst in Iran.
He enjoys building applied or theoretical models to explain and measure real-world outcomes. In recent years, his research has focused on political economy, labor economics, and immigration economics, but he is also interested in exploring new research areas. After graduation, he plans to build a career in applied research or data science.
Besides research, Kiarash enjoys teaching and helping students understand complex ideas in a simple and engaging way. He has worked as a teaching assistant and lab instructor for several courses in the Economics Department.
Kiarash also volunteers with the Economics Graduate Student Society (EGSS) and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU), where he supports his colleagues in the Department of Economics. Outside of university, he enjoys hiking and reading.
Meiyu Li Memorial Scholarship in Economics
Created in the memory of PhD candidate Meiyu Li, this entrance scholarship will go toward supporting outstanding international graduate students, like Meiyu, who are pursuing research in the Department of Economics.
2025 - Merve Intisah
Merve Intisah joined Simon Fraser University as a PhD student in Economics in 2025. She completed both her B.A. and M.S. in Economics at Middle East Technical University (Türkiye) before completing a second Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Manitoba (Canada). Her research focuses on experimental and behavioral economics, and she has already contributed to the field with a published paper in an economics journal. Merve has also shared her work at several academic conferences, engaging with the broader research community. Looking ahead, she plans to continue her career in economics, with the goal of advancing knowledge in her field and making lasting contributions to the academic community.
2025 - Yongpei Cai
I started my graduate studies in Economics at Simon Fraser University in September 2025. My research focuses on behavioural economics and macroeconomics. I am interested in exploring how behavioural factors influence micro-foundations of economic decision-making and their aggregate implications for financial markets and economic policy.
Peter Kennedy Memorial Graduate Fellowship
Named after the late professor Peter Kennedy, this award is presented to the outstanding graduate student who has demonstrated academic and teaching excellence.
2025 - Jeff Hsieh
Jeff Hsieh earned his BA and MA in Economics from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, and began his PhD in Economics at Simon Fraser University in 2020. His research focuses on consumer demand, econometrics, and machine learning, with a particular interest in modelling consumer behaviour to study welfare issues such as resource distribution within households and cost-of-living analysis. Over the past five years, Jeff worked as a teaching assistant, where he developed a passion for helping students engage deeply with economic concepts. He emphasizes critical thinking, logical reasoning, and clear communication as essential skills for both academic success and professional growth. After completing his PhD, Jeff plans to continue his career in academia, contributing to research and teaching the next generation of economics students.
Peter Kennedy Memorial Graduate Entrance Scholarship
Named after the late professor Peter Kennedy, this award will provide financial support to one or more doctoral students who demonstrate academic excellence and promise of outstanding achievement with particular emphasis on intellectual ability, originality and ability in research and the potential for significant contribution to the field of economics.
2025 - Shaghayegh Mehry
I began my PhD studies in Economics at Simon Fraser University in Fall 2025. Prior to that, I earned my bachelor’s and master's degrees in economics from the University of Tehran.
My interest in economics grew from a desire to understand how policies can shape growth, inequality, and social welfare in developing economies. Over time, I became particularly drawn to macroeconomics for the way it connects theory with real-world outcomes and offers insights into long-term development and stability. I also enjoy applied econometrics, as it provides the tools to translate abstract ideas into evidence-based analysis.
During my master’s studies, I focused my research on inclusive growth and development, examining how economic structures and policies can promote both equity and efficiency. That experience strengthened my interest in linking economic theory with practical policy design.
Upon completing my PhD, I plan to pursue a policy-oriented research career dedicated to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Herbert G. Grubel Award
This award is given to the graduating MA student with the highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) obtained in the MA required courses during the preceding Fall and Spring terms.
2025 - Collyn Gagne
I joined SFU as an undergraduate, where my interest in economics began after taking introductory microeconomics. I was fascinated by how economic models can be used to answer questions beyond what most people typically associate with the field. This sparked my curiosity and motivated me to continue my studies in the Master’s program at SFU.
During my MA, I discovered a strong interest in applied econometrics and industrial organization. What I like about these fields is that we can answer policy-relevant questions that directly affect people’s lives and well-being. I also enjoy the challenge of understanding the intuition behind complex econometric models and applying them to real-world data.
Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a PhD in economics. I hope to continue developing as a researcher and apply my skills to projects that make a meaningful impact.
Once I finish my studies at SFU I look forward to exploring diverse areas of work and joining a PhD program in the future.
James Dean Award
Named after the late emeritus professor James Dean, this award is given to the student with the best ECON 900 paper.
2025 - Eric Fortier
Eric Fortier is a PhD candidate in economics at Simon Fraser University. His research interests lie in applied macroeconomics, with a particular focus on monetary policy. His awarded working paper investigates the transmission channels of monetary policy in Canada. Beyond his own research, Eric works as a research assistant for Professor Luba Petersen in the SFU Experimental Economics Lab, and he currently serves as a teaching assistant for the Economics Technical Workshop, where he helps students develop programming skills.”
Richard G. Lipsey Award
Given to the continuing PhD student with the best comprehensive exam results at the end of their first year, this award is named after emeritus professor Richard Lipsey.
2025 - Hossein Jalili
I started my graduate studies in Economics at SFU in Fall 2023. Before that, I completed a master’s degree in economics and a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. My background in engineering gave me solid quantitative skills, but over time I realized that what really interested me was understanding how economies work and how policies affect people’s everyday lives.
I’m especially drawn to macroeconomics because it shows how individual choices can add up to shape the long-run growth and stability of societies. I also enjoy econometrics since it gives me the tools to connect theory with data in a meaningful way. Right now, my research focuses on how different policies can influence economic growth and development.
At SFU, I work as a teaching assistant and enjoy helping undergraduate students in their economics courses. Before coming here, I worked as a policy analyst in my home country, where I saw firsthand how research can inform real policy debates. That experience deepened my interest in linking academic research with practical issues.
After graduation, I hope to continue this path in academia or in a policy institution, contributing to economic development in a way that makes a positive impact.
Nanda Family Graduate Scholarship in Economics
Offered annually to students pursuing a graduate degree in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in the Department of Economics, who are in excellent academic standing, have demonstrated academic excellence and show promise of outstanding achievement with particular emphasis on research ability and originality.
2025 - Alexander Chaudhry (PhD)
I joined SFU In Fall 2025. My interest in macroeconomics was prompted by my tenure at the Bank of Canada as a research assistant, which exposed me to the workings of centralized payment and settlement networks in facilitating the flow of funds through the economy. I was struck by how even the simplest of everyday decisions connect to these complex networks in an ever-changing system as unpredictable but as central to daily life as the weather. My research interests are in how monetary conditions and the features of our financial system influence urban development and the economic structure of cities, with broader implications for economic growth and innovation. Outside of my coursework and research, I enjoy running, playing the drums and reading history books. Following graduation my hope is to work with an economic planning or housing authority, like the City of Vancouver or the CMHC, applying my learnings to help improve operations and address fiscal and economic challenges faced by cities.
2025 - Di Hua (PhD)
I joined Simon Fraser University in Fall 2025 to pursue a PhD in Economics. My current research interests focus on microeconomics, particularly the application of game theory. I find economics fascinating for its combination of mathematical rigor with the intuition and sensitivity of the humanities. When abstracting economic phenomena into theoretical models, I recognize that although these models have limitations, they also provide valuable insights. Economists must therefore critically evaluate both theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence. Looking ahead, I aim to deepen my expertise in applied microeconomics and explore how theoretical insights can guide market design and policy formulation, contributing to the advancement of the field.
2025 - Eeshan Bajaj (MA)
I joined Simon Fraser University in Fall 2025 to pursue my Master of Arts in Economics. My interest in economics stems from a fascination with how fiscal and monetary policies shape long-term growth, employment, and inequality.
Before SFU, I completed my BA in Economics at Laurentian University, where I worked as a Teaching and Research Assistant and as an Assessment, Accounts, and Benefits Clerk at the Canada Revenue Agency. After graduation, I hope to work as an economist in Canada’s public sector or policy research institutions, focusing on inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
2025 - Enkhbujin Lkhagvasuren (MA)
I joined Simon Fraser University in Fall 2025 to pursue my Master of Arts in Economics. Growing up in Mongolia, where the economy is highly resource-dependent, I became curious about how large-scale economic policies influence opportunities for growth and stability. My interest deepened during my undergraduate studies at the University of Finance and Economics in Mongolia and later at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Through coursework in monetary policy and advanced macroeconomic theory, as well as my honours thesis on labour force participation in resource-dependent versus non-resource-dependent economies, I discovered a passion for macroeconomics. I enjoy exploring how macroeconomic tools can be applied to real-world challenges, especially in promoting economic stability and improving societal welfare.
My main research interests are in macroeconomics, particularly monetary policy, labour markets, and issues affecting resource-dependent economies. I am a member of the Economics Society at the University of Finance and Economics in Mongolia. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in the public sector, focusing on economic policy analysis and contributing to practical solutions for labour market and monetary policy challenges.