1. Tell us about your basic background? Where did you come from, former education, former jobs.

I came from a small town in southeastern China, Lishui in the province of Zhejiang. After completing an undergraduate degree in Rural and Regional Development at Renmin University of China, I came to the University of Illinois for graduate school. Before joining graduate school, I had the opportunity to work as a summer intern at the Department of Agriculture in Zhejiang, where my primary responsibility was to analyze the economic issues on cooperatives in the province.

2. What was the research you performed while at OFOR?

My PhD dissertation focused on the issue of price bubbles in commodity markets. In the mid-2000s, commodity prices experienced significant fluctuations. This raised concerns that the increasing participation of financial traders had shifted commodity prices from their fundamental values, ultimately resulting in “bubbles.” In my research, I used econometric models to detect, date, and explain the presence of these bubbles across a range of commodities. Overall, the findings suggested that financial traders only played a limited role in the excessive volatility witnessed in commodity markets.

In addition to my dissertation, I was also actively involved in forecasting commodity prices. One of the projects was to assess whether composite methods could produce superior price forecasts when compared to individual models. I also worked on projects to improve the accuracy of season-average price forecasts for crops such as corn and soybeans.

3. Where are you currently working? What are your main responsibilities?

I am currently an associate professor of agricultural economics at the University of Idaho, where I also hold the Idaho Wheat Commission Endowed Chair in Commodity Risk Management. Alongside my research and teaching responsibilities, I collaborate with colleagues in the department to enhance the Agricultural Commodity Risk Management program, which provides students with the opportunity to trade commodity futures and options using real funds. I also provide outreach services to stakeholders in the region, such as commodity groups, agribusinesses, producers, financial institutions, and policymakers, on agricultural and supply chain risk management strategies.

4. How did OFOR contribute to your development as a scientist and as a person?

OFOR played a crucial role in launching my academic career. Their training and mentorship helped me learn the ins and outs of carrying out research projects and effectively communicating my findings to the scientific community. My PhD advisors, Dr. Scott Irwin and Dr. Phil Garcia, also taught me to keep an open mind and never stop learning, which has been essential for my academic growth.

But it wasn’t just about the skills and knowledge – OFOR also introduced me to many mentors, collaborators, and friends who have been an amazing source of guidance and support. Thanks to them, I’ve not only grown as a researcher, but also as a person. They’ve broadened my horizons and helped me see the world from different perspectives.

5 .What is one memory about OFOR you carried with you?

The road trip to St. Louis for the annual NCCC-134 conference was always fun. I got to know my fellow graduate students and faculty members on a personal level. During one of these trips, Scott shared with me his story of trading commodities while in graduate school and how he almost lost everything. I immediately thought, wow, if someone as knowledgeable as Scott struggled with it I should probably steer clear of trading commodities.