Short Bio
I am currently an economics Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University, working under the supervision of Prof. Chris Forman and Prof. Matt Marx.
My research sits at the intersection of strategic management, innovation, and entrepreneurship. I focus on two main areas. The first explores university-industry interaction and its implications, and the second examines how policies, resources, and the institutional environment shape innovation. My work has been recognized with the Wharton Innovation Doctoral Symposium Best Paper Award (2025), the DRUID Steven Klepper Award, and a nomination for the SMS Best PhD Paper Prize.
I am on the 2025-2026 academic job market.
Research Interest
- Innovation: university–industry interaction, market for technology.
- Entrepreneurship: commercialization strategy, diversity and entrepreneurship.
Education
What’s New
- [July 2025] I will present my “Million Dollar Plants” paper in AOM 2025 in Copenhagen.
- [July 2025] I will present my “Million Dollar Plants” paper in The Max Planck Innovation & Entrepreneurship Seminar in Munich.
Working Papers
Works in Progress
- University Technology and Startup Funding (w. Pierre Azoulay & Matt Marx).
- The Way to Commercialize: Startup Formation or License? (w. David Hsu).
- When Data Fades: Data Investment, Depreciation, and Firm Market Value (w. Prasanna Tambe).
- The Power of Market: Policy Reforms and Innovation in Chinese Pharma Sector (w. Panle Barwick & Tianli Xia).
Teaching
- [Fall 2021 and 2022] Econometrics (PhD level), rating: 4.9/5.0, Cornell.
Course description: Gives the probabilistic and statistical background for meaningful application of econometric techniques. Topics include probability theory probability spaces, random variables, distributions, moments, transformations, conditional distributions, distribution theory and the multivariate normal distribution, convergence concepts, laws of large numbers, central limit theorems, Monte Carlo simulation; statistics: sample statistics, sufficiency, exponential families of distributions.
- [Spring 2023 and 2024] Introductory Macroeconomics, rating: 4.9/5.0, Cornell.
Course description: Analysis of aggregate economic activity in relation to the level, stability, and growth of national income. Topics may include the determination and effects of unemployment, inflation, balance of payments, deficits, and economic development, and how these may be influenced by monetary, fiscal, and other policies.
- [Spring 2024] Digital Platform Strategy (MBA Level), Cornell.
- [Spring 2025] Venture Creation Lab (MBA Level), University of Pennsylvania.
Student comments:
- "Hongyuan is an excellent TA! He is so patient with all the students and tries to help the students. He is super willing to help students. I am so glad to have him as our TA this semester."
- "He is the best TA I have met thus far"
- "Very attentive and caring TA, is always willing to help and knows so much of the course."
- "I thought the TA sections were much more valuable than the actual lecture. In fact, the TA seems like a better teacher than the prof. He might not know the material as well as the prof at this time, but he's a much better teacher and I learned much more from him and his sessions."
- "I learned more in the discussion sections than the lectures. The TA sections reviewed material for exams which was very helpful. It was a combination of content and practice each session."
Contact
Address: 109 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853
Office Location: Uris Hall at Cornell University
Email: hx276 (at) cornell.edu
