Uyanga Byambaa

I am a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Economics at University of California, Berkeley. I'm on the 2026-2027 job market. I study topics in applied microeconomics, specializing in development economics, labor economics, economics of education and human capital.

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About me

My research addresses critical challenges in education systems in low-income countries, with a focus on how human capital development—from early schooling through the life cycle—shapes individual trajectories. I study how investments in foundational cognitive skills can alter learning outcomes and long-run development, combining field experiments with policy-relevant empirical analysis.My research agenda is shaped not only by methodology but also by lived experience. I grew up in Mongolia in a context with limited educational resources and now conduct field research across sub-Saharan Africa. This trajectory informs both the questions I ask and how I design and interpret my work in context.My work has been funded by J-PAL, the Weiss Fund, and CEGA, among others, and I am a Rocca Dissertation Fellow at Berkeley’s Center for African Studies. Prior to my Ph.D., I worked as a Senior Research Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.Outside of academia, I am a National Chess Master and Woman FIDE Master. Long before chess became the subject of my research, it was a discipline I pursued competitively—shaping my interest in how cognitively demanding activities can transform learning.

My journey

I was born and raised in Mongolia,
and in 2009, during the Great Recession, I immigrated to the U.S. alone in pursuit of the American Dream and higher education. My academic journey, however, was far from straightforward. Along the way, I faced unexpected detours and challenges, but after seven years of perseverance, I proudly earned my bachelor’s degree, which became the gateway to countless incredible opportunities that shaped my journey"

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Research

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Teaching

Instructor, Economics and Public Policy,
PPIA Junior Summer Institute, Goldman School of Public Policy

UC Berkeley, Summer/2023

Teaching Assistant, Global Poverty and Impact Evaluation for Prof. Supreet Kaur, Department
of Economics

UC Berkeley, Fall/2023, Fall/2024

Teaching Assistant, Global Poverty and Impact Evaluation for Prof. Yuanyuan Deng, Department
of Economics

UC Berkeley, Spring/2024

Teaching Assistant, Microeconomics for Prof. Jim Campbell, Department of Economics

UC Berkeley, Fall/2022, Spring/2023

Tutor, Introduction to Mathematical Economics
for Prof. Haluk Ergin, Department of Economics

UC Berkeley, Fall/2021, Spring/2022

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Introduction
to Economics for Prof. Joseph Lough,
Department of Economics

UC Berkeley, Summer/2017

Service

Events and media

2024

Mentor, Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP), UC Berkeley – Actively mentoring numerous undergraduate students in conducting academic research, providing guidance on research methodologies, data analysis, and academic writing

2024

Peer Partner, CEGA (Center for Effective Global Action) Visiting Fellows Program, UC Berkeley – Collaborated with visiting fellows on research initiatives, offering support and peer guidance on topics related to global development and applied economics.

2024

Selected as a mentee by AMII (Association for Mentoring and Inclusion in Economics).

2024

Featured in the August edition of US Chess
Life in the "My Best Move" column.

2024

Volunteer at an event at Economist for Equity at Berkeley (BEE) - Provided guidance to undergraduate students
on navigating graduate school applications, academic expectations, and career development
in economics (April 2).

2024

Appointed as Director of Research at The Gift of Chess (January 8). The Gift of Chess Welcomes Uyanga Byambaa as Director of Research.
— The Gift of Chess

2023

Panelist at Laney College (December 2) – Participated in an event organized by the Bridge Student Organization to discuss the transfer process from community college to four-year institutions, offering insights and advice to students navigating this transition.

2023

Guest Speaker at the University of Santa Monica – Invited by the Santa Monica Data Science Club to discuss the role of data science in economics research and explore career opportunities in the field (October 13).

2023

Featured in an interview with US Chess – Shared insights about my personal chess journey and discussed the impact of chess in education, emphasizing its role in cognitive development and life skills and gender issues in chess (September 27).

2023

Interviewed on Patrick Fahey’s radio show, 102.5 FM – Discussed topics including the economy, my research in economics, and the role of chess in education. (August).

2023

Delivered a talk on Clubhouse for ANY’s "Financial Corner," discussing economic research and data processing (January 18).

2022

Guest Speaker at the Financial and Economic University of Mongolia – Delivered a talk to students on data analysis, research methodologies, and the global labor market, exploring their implications for economic opportunities.

2022

Interviewed by the Tetgeleg app in Mongolia – Discussed the importance of pursuing higher education, sharing insights and advice for students considering advanced academic paths.

2022

Featured in an interview on ikom.mn in 'Delhiin Mongol' – Shared my journey from a small town in Mongolia to attending top Ph.D. programs in the U.S., highlighting the challenges and milestones along the way (January).

2021

Speaker at the Virtual Hurdle event, Mongolian Youth Leadership Program (MYLP).

2021

Led a session at the BEE Admission Bootcamp (November), UC Berkeley.

2021

Guest on the Premier Chess Podcast,
Episode 172 (September).

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Chess

Uyanga Byambaa is a Woman FIDE Master (WFM) with a peak FIDE rating
of 2138. She also holds the title of National Master from the US Chess Federation, with a peak rating of 2275.

Uyanga began playing chess at the age of four, taught by her father. Before graduating high school in Mongolia, she earned the title of National Candidate Master. After immigrating to the United States, Uyanga started playing in the US Chess League at the Mechanics Chess Club, competing on board 4 alongside top grandmasters in Northern California, with a peak performance rating of 2343. She is ranked #14 among female chess players in Mongolia and represents Mongolia in international competitions.

Uyanga has achieved one norm toward the title of Woman International Master (WIM). In that tournament play, she has drawn against 7-time US Women's Chess Champion Grandmaster Irina Krush, as well as top-ranked players from Argentina, and has defeated the #1 - ranked women players from Canada and Cuba. Her games have been frequently published for their brilliance, and she was recently featured in the August edition of US Chess Life in the "My Best Move" column.
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Uyanga has won numerous national and state titles. In 2013, her team competed in the US Amateur National Championship, where she played on board 3, leading her team to victory and obtaining a national title. She is a two-time California Women's State Chess Champion, having won the title in both 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Uyanga has triumphed in several other state and local tournaments, often as the first female player to do so.

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