People Spotlights

William D. Hacker Professor of Economics and Political Science, Emeritus

Charles R. Plott

Caltech’s continuing focus on the formalization, integration, and experimental testing of basic principles of economics and political science creates challenges, intellectual excitement, and an integrated body of science that continues to grow and find important applications that will span many decades."

Linde Postdoctoral Scholar in Economic and Management Sciences (2017–19)

Teddy Mekonnen

We economic theorists come up with problems that are real and relevant, but some of our solutions are impractical, with implicit assumptions of infinite time, resources, or data. When you use computer science to approach economic questions, such as matching problems related to apps for ride-sharing or dating, those assumptions matter."

Social and Decision Neuroscience Graduate Student

Qianying Wu

Here in HSS, I'm able to apply multidisciplinary approaches to my research—to understand typical and atypical human social behaviors with functional neuroimaging, and to characterize those behaviors using computational models."

Fletcher Jones Foundation Postdoctoral Instructor in Contemporary Literature (2020–21)

Julia Hori

I think coming from a different discipline or background, the questions that emerge are just different. Also, perhaps the students are a little bit less afraid to ask certain grounding questions that a student with a major in English might not ask. And these questions actually help to facilitate the conversation tremendously."

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Gabriel Lopez-Moctezuma

Caltech pioneered the use of mathematical models to explain political behavior, including voting and bargaining. The research I do would not be possible without these early contributions."

PhD '18, Social Sciences

Lucas Núñez

The mix and interactions between multiple social science disciplines at HSS make it a uniquely enriching place to study."

All Spotlights