Le Wang
Le Wang completed his Ph.D under the supervision of Professor Daniel Millimet in 2006. He is currently Chong K. Liew Chair and Professor of Economics, and President’s Associates Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to joining OU, he held positions at the University of Alabama, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Minnesota. He was also a Women and Public Policy Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.
Le’s research focuses on questions in econometrics and subfields of microeconomics including labor and demographic economics, development economics, and public economics. His work has been published in top journals such as Journal of Political Economy, Journal of Econometrics, Journal of Business Economics and Statistics, Journal of Applied Econometrics, and Journal of Environmental Economics and Management.
Le serves as a Co-Editor of the China Economic Review and the Journal of Labor Research, and as an Associate Editor of Econometric Reviews.
Looking back, my decision to come to SMU to pursue a Ph.D in economics was one of the best decisions that I ever made, which changed not only my career trajectory, but also my life.
When I first joined the Ph.D program, I had little background in math and economics and only a vague idea of what academic research was about. Clueless, to say the least. But the superb training at SMU has changed that. I was taught by many professors who were leading experts in their respective fields and also great teachers.
More importantly, they were always there to help and support. Their doors were always open for questions and discussions. They encouraged me to explore my own interest, taught me to be an independent researcher and thinker, and were always willing to work with me.
Their support did not stop at graduation. They continue to be my biggest supporters to this day, and some have also become life-long friends and coauthors. I am forever grateful to them, especially Professors Dann Millimet (my advisor), Essie Maasoumi, and Per Fredriksson.