I am a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Economics at University of California, Berkeley. I study topics in applied microeconomics, specializing in development economics, labor economics, economics of education and human capital.
Download my CV (2024)
About me
In my research, I am passionate about tackling critical educational challenges in developing countries and understanding how human capital development in schools and throughout one's life cycle impacts both labor market outcomes and broader life experiences. My work is data-driven, ranging from field experiments to informing innovative policy solutions. Prior to pursuing my Ph.D., I worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as Senior Research Analyst. I am currently a Rocca dissertation fellow and the Director of Research for 'The Gift of Chess.
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"
Research
Cognitive Enrichment and Human Capital: Evidence from school intervention in developing countries” with Jonathan Old (UC Berkeley)
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Job complexity and Human Capital — with Edward Miguel, Michael Walker and Sam Wang (UC Berkeley)
“Impact of Chess Program on Criminal Behaviour” with Omar Gill (UC Berkeley)
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).
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.
Some of her notable achievements include:
2024
Tied for third in the California Women's State Chess Championship, Berkeley CA
2023
Fifth place in Elite Besa Masaiti WIM Norm Chess Championship, Gaborone Botswana
2023
Second place in the California Women's State Chess Championship, Berkeley CA
2023
Second place in the Nairobi Chess Club
Championship, Nairobi Kenya
2017,
2016
CalChess Woman's State champion,
Berkeley CA
2015
Co-champion in the US Women's Open at the Las Vegas International Chess Festival, Las Vegas NV
2015
Winner of the 44th Carroll Capps Memorial and 15th JJ Dolan Memorial at the Mechanics Chess Club,  San Francisco CA
2015,
2014
Winner of the Alan Benson Marathon and Jacqueline Piatigorsky Marathon at the Berkeley Chess
Club, Berkeley CA
2014
Co-champion of the Sacramento Chess Championship, Sacramento CA
Blog
My Best Move. Thrilled to see my story in the August US Chess Life Magazine
2023 Elite Besa Masaiti WIM Norm Chess Championship