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Junlong Feng
Junlong Feng
PhD Candidate
Fields: Econometrics
Main Advisor(s): Jushan Bai and Simon Lee 
Advisor(s):




Welcome! I am a Ph.D. candidate in economics at Columbia University. My research interest lies in econometrics, applied microeconomics, causal inference and machine learning.

I will be available for interview at 2019 CICE (Beijing), EJM (Rotterdam) and 2020 ASSA (San Diego).


Job Market Paper
Abstract:

We consider triangular models with a discrete endogenous variable and an instrumental variable (IV) taking on fewer values. Addressing the failure of the order condition, we develop the first approach to restore identification for both separable and nonseparable models in this case by supplementing the IV with covariates, allowed to enter the model in an arbitrary way. For the separable model, we show that it satisfies a system of linear equations, yielding a simple identification condition and a closed-form estimator. For the nonseparable model, we develop a new identification argument by exploiting its continuity and monotonicity, leading to weak sufficient conditions for global identification. Built on it, we propose a uniformly consistent and asymptotically normal sieve estimator. We apply our approach to an empirical application of the return to education with a binary IV. Though under-identified by the IV alone, we obtain results consistent with the literature using our approach. We also illustrate the applicability of our approach via an application of preschool program selection where the supplementation procedure fails.


Research

Robust Principal Component Analysis with Non-Sparse Errors, with Jushan Bai.

– Working paper, 2019.

Abstract: 

We show that when a high-dimensional data matrix is the sum of a low-rank matrix and a random error matrix with independent entries, the low-rank component can be consistently estimated by solving a convex minimization problem. We develop a new theoretical argument to establish consistency without assuming sparsity or the existence of any moments of the error matrix, so that fat-tailed continuous random errors such as Cauchy are allowed. The results are illustrated by simulations.

Regularized Quantile Regression with Interactive Fixed Effects

– Working paper, 2019.

Abstract: 

I consider nuclear norm penalized quantile regression for large N and large T panel data models with interactive fixed effects. The estimator solves a convex minimization problem, not requiring pre-estimation of the (number of the) fixed effects. Uniform rates are obtained for both the slope coefficients and the low-rank common component of the interactive fixed effects. The rate of the latter is nearly optimal. To derive the rates, I show new results that establish uniform bounds of norms of certain random matrices of jump processes. These results may have independent interest. Finally, I conduct Monte Carlo simulations to illustrate the estimator’s finite sample performance.


Teaching

Columbia University

  • Spring 2017  Econometrics II (M.A.), TA for Professors Ronald Miller. Best TA Award (runner-up). 
  • Fall 2016   Introduction to Econometrics I (Ph.D.), TA for Professors Jushan Bai. Best TA Award (runner-up).
  • Spring 2016   Introduction to Econometrics, TA for Professors Seyhan Erden.
  • Fall 2015   Intermediate Microeconomics, TA for Professors Susan Elmes.

 

1022 International Affairs Building (IAB)
Mail Code 3308  
420 West 118th Street
New York, NY 10027
Ph: (212) 854-3680
Fax: (212) 854-0749
Business Hours:
Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

1022 International Affairs Building (IAB)

Mail Code 3308

420 West 118th Street

New York, NY 10027

Ph: (212) 854-3680
Fax: (212) 854-0749
Business Hours:
Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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