Dr. Yuan Fang recently joined Data-Driven EnviroLab as a Post-doctoral Researcher. Dr. Fang completed her Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where her research bridged industrial organization, environmental and energy economics, and policy evaluation. Drawing on large-scale data and structural modeling techniques, Dr. Fang’s work examines how regulatory frameworks shape firm behavior, consumer welfare, and market outcomes. Her sustained focus is on electricity markets and environmental policy.
Can you tell us a bit about your past research and how it led you to DDL?
My research is broadly about how firms and consumers respond to environmental policies and market design. During my Ph.D. in Economics at UW-Madison, I studied topics including fuel economy regulation (CAFE standard) in the automobile industry and price regulation in Texas electricity retail markets. Across these projects, I became especially interested in how policy changes incentives in real markets, and how firms strategically respond to those incentives. That interest brought me to DDL, where I am excited to study corporate climate action, decarbonization, and the conditions under which firms move from climate commitments to real implementation.
Is there a particular real-world issue that has most inspired your research agenda?
I am especially motivated by the gap between climate commitments and actual implementation. Many firms and governments have announced ambitious net-zero goals, but it is still unclear what incentives, policies, and market conditions can turn those goals into real behavioral changes. I hope my research can help identify mechanisms that accelerate climate action in practice.
Are there any current projects you’re especially excited about or looking forward to developing at DDL?
I am currently working on a corporate decarbonization project that tries to understand how large corporations could help trigger a tipping point toward net-zero emissions. I am especially interested in the government’s role in shaping incentives and providing remedies when markets alone may not deliver enough climate action. I also look forward to bringing my background in demand and supply modeling and policy evaluation to this project.
What draws you to data driven research, and what do you find most rewarding about this approach?
Data-driven research allows us to connect important policy questions with real-world behavior. I enjoy using data to uncover mechanisms that are not immediately visible, such as how firms strategically respond to regulation or how consumers react to market changes. The most rewarding part is producing evidence that can inform both academic debates and practical policy decisions.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin this chapter at DDL?
I am most looking forward to learning from an interdisciplinary team and working on projects with real-world impact. DDL’s work sits at the intersection of public policy, corporate strategy, and data science, and I am excited to contribute my economics training while also broadening my perspective.
Bonus question: any fun facts/something interesting you want to share!
I have a cat named Kaka, who recently moved with me from Wisconsin. So far, I think Kaka may be settling in faster than I am. Here she is!
