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Mallika Pung

Mallika Pung

Lecturer in Finance

Jones Graduate School of Business

CONTACT

mallika.pung@rice.edu

WEBSITE(S)| https://business.rice.edu/person/mallika-pung

SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: Labor Market Disparities: Analyzing Demographic Inequities Using Current Population Survey Data

This project will explore labor market disparities among various demographic groups, such as gender, race, and educational background, using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Students will analyze trends in wages, employment, and job opportunities, focusing on the causes and consequences of economic inequalities. The research will involve data cleaning, statistical analysis, and the development of models to assess how factors like education, race, and gender intersect to affect labor market outcomes. Potential topics include wage gaps, employment discrimination, and the impact of economic policies on marginalized groups.

Undergraduate researchers will gain hands-on experience with economic analysis, learn to work with large datasets, and contribute to ongoing research in labor economics. Past students have worked on projects examining the gender wage gap, the impact of higher education on employment outcomes, and racial disparities in job opportunities. This project is ideal for students interested in economic research, data analysis, and policy-oriented questions.

Potential skills gained: Data analysis, research methodology, policy analysis

Required qualifications or skills: The following are not required but will be good to have: Multi-variable Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Micro/Macro Economics

Direct mentor: Faculty/P.I.

Research Areas

Mallika Pung is a Labor Economist for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she conducts statistical and econometric analyses of systemic employment discrimination cases. Before joining federal service, Mallika served the State of New Mexico as Chief Economist for the Department of Transportation. Prior to that she worked for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department as a Senior Economist specializing as the state’s income tax expert. Her work with the state government has focused on economic policy analysis, revenue forecasting and fiscal impact analyses. Mallika also visited The Center for Free Enterprise at University of Louisville as an Assistant Professor of Economics from 2016-2018.