Nanda Family Graduate Scholarship in Economics

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. 

LinkedIn

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. 

LinkedIn

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.