Our research group is interested in using data visualization, data analytics, and econometrics tools to conduct research on education policy related to teachers, STEM education, and the STEM workforce. We are always interested in working with motivated undergraduate and graduate students. Email Dr. Feng for more details.
CURRENT RESEARCH GROUP MEMBERS
Research Director, Education Policy Lab and Postdoctoral Scholar: Dr. Jieon (Jin) Shim
Jieon Shim is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Department of Finance and Economics at Texas State University. She received her B.A. (2012) in Economics and International Relations from the College of William and Mary, followed by an M.A. (2016) in Economics from Yonsei University and a Ph.D. (2022) in Economics from the University of Florida. Her research interests span across the economics of education, labor economics, and applied microeconomics. Specifically, her research focuses on (1) compensating wage differentials for teachers in high-poverty and high-minority schools, (2) retention and persistence of STEM teachers in high-need school districts, and (3) postsecondary course failure, retention, and college completion in STEM.
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
GIS Specialist: Xiu (Sue) Wu
Xiu Wu is a Ph.D. candidate of Geographical Information Science at the Department of Geography and works as a GIS specialist (graduate research assistant) at the Department of Economics and Finance at McCoy College of Business, Texas State University. She has been a teaching assistant at the department of geography for two years, holds double Master of Science degrees in Sustainability Studies at the Department of Sociology of TSU and Land Resource Management at the School of Environmental Science & Engineering of Wuhan University in China. Xiu has various skills on spatial-temporal data analysis and Geo-Mapping. Research Interests: Panel Data Analysis, Data Mining, Spatial Data Modeling, Health Geography. Xiu is working on the NSF Collaborative Noyce project led by Dr. Li Feng(PI).
Senior Data Analyst, Monica P Arboleda Martinez
Monica is a senior data analyst and a Graduate Research Assistant at the Education Policy Lab at Texas State University, conducting data analysis in a large dataset using tools like Stata and Python, delivering insights to enhance STEM education initiatives. With technical expertise spanning Python, SQL, R, machine learning, Stata, and RPA tools such as Automation Anywhere, she is skilled at leveraging data analytics and AI capabilities to drive meaningful change and innovation. Beyond technical skills, she brings a robust set of skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, collaboration, adaptability, management, and leadership.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Data Analyst: Philip Ervin
Philip Ervin is currently an undergraduate student in his senior year with a double major in Economics and Computer Science. He has presented research projects at the Dallas Federal Reserve Banks’ Economic Scholars Program for Undergraduate Research and the Texas State University Honors College Undergraduate Research Conference. From the McCoy College of Business, Philip has worked under Dr. Zhai to measure the effects of COVID-19 prevalence in health and behavioral economics. Working in the Education Policy Lab, Philip has conducted empirical analysis to track the distribution of federal grants to states and higher education institutes and their respective returns to education. This work has been presented at the Association for Education Finance Conference and the Noyce Summit.
Junior Data Analyst: Cody J. Michalik
Junior Data Analyst (remote at the University of California, San Diego): Steve Liu
FORMER GROUP MEMBERS
Mariëlla (van der Sluijs) Bumstead
Mariella developed a data-driven approach to identifying trends and patterns in STEM education and workforce participation using Python, STATA, and Power BI, resulting in insights that were used to improve STEM education programs and increase STEM workforce participation
GDIT Data Analyst Richard Vega
Richard Vega was a first-generation student born to parents that made a life in the United States after fleeing civil wars in their respective countries of El Salvador and Guatemala. After serving 4 years in the Army and representing over 45,000 students of Austin Community College as Student Body President, he was picked by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to intern for Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García. Additionally, he worked on Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar’s presidential campaign in Iowa, where he had the opportunity to learn about and meet thousands of people from different walks of life. Originally an engineering major, the combination of personal and professional experiences has influenced his decision to pursue economics to develop policy to improve the lives of people.
Richard served as an Economics Undergraduate Instructional Assistant for Dr. Feng in the Finance and Economics Department at the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University. He will serve as a member of the Student Foundation, an Ambassador for the McCoy College of Business, and the Chief Financial Officer for the Hispanic Business Student Association for the 2021 to 2022 academic year. On his free time, he likes to try cooking recipes from different parts of the world with an affinity for spicy dishes.
Associate Data Scientist: Daniel Payan
Daniel holds a dual degree in Computer Science and Business Management. He has cleaned, manipulated, and visualized large datasets using Python and Jupyter Notebook, developed machine learning models using Python’s scikit-learn library, and have developed a fully open-source dashboard utilizing Python Panel.
Babitha Govindaiah has worked in computer manufacturing industry for 3 years as a data warehouse developer. Babitha has has various skills with the focus on data like data visualization, data science and data analysis.
CFO at Kemetra, Inc: Kenneth Skidmore
Kenneth S. Skidmore holds a BBA in Economics, having earned Summa Cum Laude distinction with a 4.00 GPA upon the completion of his degree in May of 2021. His research interests include humanitarian logistics and relief systems, economics of higher education and spatial econometrics. Kenneth was recently selected to present his research at the Economic Scholars Program organized by the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank for work titled, “Modern-Day Social Stratification? Exploratory Analysis of Socioeconomic Status and Stagnant College Degree Completion Rates.” During his time in his undergraduate studies, he worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Francis Méndez Mediavilla and Dr. Eduardo Pérez at the Integrated Modeling and Optimization of Service Systems Research Lab at Texas State’s Ingram School of Engineering.
Healthcare Data Analyst: Anna Streichhardt
Anna Streichhardt has worked as an IT Consultant for a consulting company in Germany after she received her bachelor’s degree in Medical Information Management in January 2019 from the University of Applied Sciences in Hannover, Germany. Anna was part of a research team for the ethical conduct of clinical trials in Africa which resulted in one publication in an international peer-reviewed open-access journal. In spring 2020 she was awarded the competitive International Peace Fellowship for North America for her academic and personal achievements.
Data Analyst: Venkata Sowjanya Koka
Venkata Sowjanya Koka has a Masters degree in Data Analytics and Information Systems program. Sowjanya applies her data analysis and visualization skills in support of the data team. She graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering.
Graduate Research Assistants
Jacob Fowler (2015-2016) USAA Rotation Analyst
Betsy Blackburn (2014) Brand Manager
Fo-Keng (Ethan) Chen (2012) Associate General Manager
Yoo Sun Reiss (2011) Partner for a CPA firm
*Name(Academic year worked as GRA) Current Job Title