Biography
Hello, I am an assistant professor in the Economics Department at the University of Northern Iowa, IA. My research interests are in the intersection of monetary economics, time-series analysis and financial markets.
Teaching is always a self-fulfillment for me. My teaching portfolio includes courses at undergrad and grad levels in macroeconomics, monetary economics and forecasting. My teaching philosophy can be summarized as three phrases – student-oriented, evidence-based, and application-driven.
Used to be an international student, I deeply understand how each individual is easily subjected to prejudice on race, gender, color, nationality and so many things that cannot be changed by oneself. Thus, I advocate equity, equality and diversity in my classroom.
I earned my Ph.D. of Economics at the University of Texas at Dallas and was proudly advised by Prof. Victor J. Valcarcel , Prof. Daniel Arce , Prof. Patrick Brandt and Dr. Enrique Martínez-García .
- Monetary Economics
- Macroeconomics
- Time Series Analysis
- Financial Markets
PhD in Economics, 2020
The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
MS in Finance, 2015
Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA
MS in Real Estate, 2013
Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA
B.BM in International Business, 2012
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China
Research Areas
Investigating how monetary policy decisions affect the economy through various transmission channels, including money markets and financial stress.
Analyzing Federal Reserve policy frameworks, inflation expectations, and the effectiveness of different monetary policy rules.
Developing and applying advanced econometric techniques for causal identification in structural VAR.
Examining the stability of money demand, safe asset aggregation, and the role of monetary aggregates in economic analysis.
Studying the integration of cryptocurrency markets with traditional financial systems and their macroeconomic transmission effects.
Creating innovative teaching tools and interactive platforms to enhance student understanding of complex economic concepts.
Recent Publications
Teaching Experience
Undergraduate:
- ECON1041 Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON2132 Money and Banking
- ECON3371 Economic and Business Forecasting
Developed interactive educational tools including Bond Price Calculator and ClassHub platform.
Undergraduate:
- ECON205 Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON470 Intermediate Economic and Business Forecasting
- ECON471 Money and Banking
Graduate:
- ECON570 Intermediate Economic and Business Forecasting
- ECON571 Money and Banking
- ECON605 Macroeconomic Theory
- ECON670 Advanced Economic and Business Forecasting
With full curricular and evaluation responsibilities:
- EC360 Time Series Visualization and Forecasting (Approved)
- EC201 Principles of Macroeconomics
- EC308 Macroeconomics
- EC303 Money and Banking
With full curricular and evaluation responsibilities:
- ECON2301 Principles of Macroeconomics (5 semesters, Summer 2018 to Fall 2019)
Teaching assistant for Dr. Victor Valcarcel:
- ECON2301 Principles of Macroeconomics (2 terms)
- ECON3312 Money and Banking (3 terms)
- ECON7302 Macroeconomics Theory II (2 terms)
Grants & Fellowships
Teaching Innovations
Interactive Educational Tools
Contact
- zhengyang.chen at uni.edu
- 2382 Minnesota St, CBB 202, Cedar Falls, IA 50614