Xin Geng Department of Economics Campus Box 256 University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80309-0256 Placement Director: Graduate Administrator: Email: [email protected] Cell: +1(909)-374-4897 https://sites.google.com/site/xingeng2015 Brian Cadena Patricia Holcomb [email protected] [email protected] Phone: +1(303)492-7908 Phone: +1(303)492-6396 Education Ph.D. in Economics, University of Colorado Thesis Title: “Essays on Semiparametric Estimation of Structural Models” Principal Thesis Adivisor: Professor Carlos Martins-Filho Expected Completion Date: June 2015 M.A. in Economics, University of Colorado, GPA: 3.9 Ph.D. student in Economics, Claremont Graduate University, GPA: 4.0 B.A. in Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China B.A. in Mathematics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China GPA: 93/100 2010 to present 2012 2010 2009 2009 Research Fields Econometrics, Nonparametric Estimation Job Market Paper “Estimation of Semiparametric Regression in Triangular Systems” Abstract: We propose a kernel based estimator for a partially linear model in triangular systems where endogenous variables appear both in nonparametric and linear component functions. This model has a wide range of applications in many fields of economics. Compared with the two alternative estimators currently available in the literature for such model, this estimator has an explicit functional form, is much easier to implement and may significantly outperform those in finite sample simulation. Our estimator was inspired by the control function approach of Newey et al. (1999) and initially proposed by Martins-Filho and Yao √ (2012). It builds on the additive regression estimation by Kim et al. (1999). We establish: (i) n asymptotic normality of the estimator for the parametric component, and (ii) consistency and the uniform convergence rate of the estimator for the nonparametric component. In addition, for statistical inference, a consistent estimator for the covariance of the limiting distribution of the parametric estimator is also provided. Various intermediate results will also be of use to theorists. Working Papers “Technology Downgrading, Exporting and Heterogeneous Firms” Abstract: This paper presents a general equilibrium model in which homogeneous individuals make occupational choices to be workers or entrepreneurs of different ability levels, and entrepreneurs choose a technology from a set of competing technologies and decide whether to export. In equilibrium, the interaction between individuals homogeneous ability levels, the characteristics of competing technologies, and international trade costs gives rise to firm heterogeneity in productivities. This paper tries to explain the response of non-exporters to trade liberalization in terms of technology adoption. Non-exporters would choose to downgrade their technology since they might not be able to afford the fixed cost of high technology due to the increased import competition and “tougher” environment caused by trade liberalization. Besides that, trade liberalization shrinks the skill premium for the low ability entrepreneurs relative to raw labor, while it increases the premium for the high ability entrepreneurs. Aggregate welfare and welfare for raw labor and high ability entrepreneurs are improved, leaving the change of welfare for low ability entrepreneurs unclear. “The Fallacy of the Resource Curse in Arab Oil Economies: Why Institutions Matter” (with Professor Mohammed Akacem) Abstract: This paper examines the importance of institutions in oil exporting economies. We chose two countries from North Africa (Algeria and Libya) and three countries from the Gulf (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait). While the resource curse has been studied extensively over the years, we argue that oil does not necessarily lead to a decline in economic growth. This holds true in the resource poor countries of North Africa or the resource rich countries of the Gulf. The lack of the proper political institutions leads to a decline in economic growth. We submit that growth depends on whether oil was discovered before or after the proper institutions were in place. We use panel data to test the “oil curse” hypothesis with Norway as a control country. Our results show no evidence of the resource curse in a sample of countries including Norway. Oil exporting countries present a variety of characteristics not only for the two types of oil they produce. A few of these include: the amount of reserves, population base, and their daily production. The five OPEC countries in our study (Algeria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait) performed consistent with the resource curse thesis. They did not perform well economically. Our paper presents empirical evidence along with a regression model to show that oil had nothing to do with their poor economic growth and development. Teaching and Research Experience University of Colorado, Boulder, CO Instructor, Math Tools for Economists (II) Undergraduate Tutor of the Economics Department Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Economics Spring 2012 to present Fall 2011 Spring 2011, Summer 2011 Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA Research Assistant for Professor Thomas Borcherding Fall 2009, Spring 2010 Fellowships and Awards Sieglinde Talbott Haller Endowed Economics Scholarship Fund Award Graduate School Dissertation Fellowship, University of Colorado, Boulder Graduate Assistantship, University of Colorado, Boulder Meritorious Winner of Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling in North America The First Prize in Beijing National University Mathematics Modeling Contest China National Scholarship 2014 2014 2010 to present 2008 2007 2007 References Professor Carlos Martins-Filho (Advisor) Department of Economics University of Colorado at Boulder +1(303)492-4599 [email protected] Assistant Professor Xiaodong Liu Department of Economics University of Colorado at Boulder +1(303)492-7414 [email protected] Professor Donald Waldman Department of Economics University of Colorado at Boulder +1(303)492-6781 [email protected]