For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Sophia N. Johnson, sj2482@columbia.edu, 212-854-1566

John Asker, Evan D. Sadler and Tamrat W. Gashaw will join the Department of Economics this fall. John has been appointed Professor of Economics, Evan is Assistant Professor, and Tamrat, Lecturer in Discipline.

Professor Asker’s research investigates topics related to antitrust policy, cartel behavior, vertical restraints, auction design, firm-level productivity and the effects of industry subsidies. “My research is aimed at understanding elements of how allocation, production and exchange work in industries is characterized by market power, complex vertical structure and an active government presence,” explains Asker, who holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and a B. Ec (Hons) from the Australian National University.

Professor Sadler’s research focuses on the economics of networks, and incentives within organizations. “I am particularly interested in how behaviors and information spread through social ties. I seek to better understand how the structure of social networks influences the aggregation of information, the diffusion of innovations, and incentives to share or gather information,” notes Sadler, who holds a B.A. in mathematics (cum laude) from Princeton University, and Ph.D. in information systems from NYU Stern School of Business. “I am also very much interested in incentives for innovation and experimentation,” he adds.

Professor Gashaw’s research focuses on international trade and finance, monetary economics, applied microeconomics and applied econometrics. “I have taught multiple economic courses that include principles and advanced-level courses since 2005 in Ethiopia, as well as the United States,” says Gashaw, who holds a B.S. from Alemaya University, MA in international economics from Addis Ababa University, MA in applied economics and applied econometrics from Western Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in economics from Western Michigan University. “I have also worked as a researcher with the Ethiopian Economics Association / Ethiopian Economic Policy Research Institute, and market researcher with Ethiopian Export Promotion Agency and Ministry of Trade and Investment,” he adds.

This fall Asker will co-teach Industrial Organization with Tobias Salz (Economics). Sadler will co-teach Micro. Analysis with Mark Dean (Economics), and Economic Theory Workshop with Jacopo Perego (Columbia Business School).  Gashaw will teach financial economics.