Ph.D. Placement: Yaying Zhou

Yaying Zhou grew up in China and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Tongji University and her Master’s degree in Economics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Before joining BEPP, she visited Copenhagen Business School as an exchange student. After receiving her Ph.D. at Kelley, she joined the University of Queensland as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) of Economics.

“I’m passionate about empirical research because I enjoy uncovering hidden truths from the data,” says Zhou, who chose to study the healthcare market for its potential to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. One of the reasons Zhou is excited about her new role as a professor at the University of Queensland is the wealth of health data available in Australia. With access to this data, she hopes to conduct research that can generate insights into healthcare systems and policies that can be applied globally.

“I’m excited to transition from a student to a professor, sharing my knowledge and experiences with my future students and inspiring them to pursue their own passions in the field of economics,” she says. “Of course, I’ll never let go of any opportunity to hug a koala!”

Zhou appreciates her six years of rigorous training at BEPP where she received great attention, guidance, and feedback, which nourished her interests in health economics and helped her quickly grow as a researcher. Sparked by the cool and elegant professors in her field, Zhou wishes to keep working on projects that help improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare. By shedding light on these important topics, Zhou hopes to contribute to developing evidence-based healthcare policies that can improve the quality of life.

Zhou is also grateful for her parents’ constant support.

“Being honest and diligent themselves, they have always encouraged me to follow my heart and try my best,” she says. “This attitude has helped me derive more utility from accomplishing goals and being in the moment rather than just finishing tasks.”

Having someone who shares her passion for research has also been a source of great motivation. Zhou is thankful to have her partner, a fellow Ph.D. student in Finance at Kelley, by her side throughout her Ph.D. studies. They have been able to provide each other with invaluable emotional and academic support throughout their time at IU.

When not working, Zhou enjoys indulging in her hobbies. Dancing is one of her favorite pastimes as it provides her with a creative outlet that’s separate from her academic work. She also loves watching movies, particularly those that take her on a journey through different cultures and perspectives.

“I’ve also spent a lot of time building a virtual house,” says Zhou. “It’s my dream to decorate a real house of my own, have a dog, and travel around the world with my family.”

As a matter of fact, Zhou received her Ph.D. offer from BEPP the night after she saw aurora in Sweden. She will probably visit the Great Barrier Reef as a starting point and Africa someday in the future.

“The pandemic was a challenging time for everyone, but I’m grateful for the sense of community that I’ve felt within the BEPP program,” she says. “I enjoyed participating in the BEPP trivia game, which brought the students and faculty together for some friendly competition. I also enjoyed playing soccer with my peers. It was a fun way to stay active and social.”