Dr. Cathy Zhang

Biography

Cathy Zhang is a Professor of Economics at Purdue University, where she also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies in Economics. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Irvine, and holds both an M.A. and a B.A. in Economics from the same institution and the University of California, Berkeley, respectively. Professor Zhang's research primarily focuses on macroeconomics, monetary economics, and international economics, with specific interests in search theory. Her work investigates the role of international currency in monetary policy and currency competition, the implications of banking financial intermediation, and the effects of inflation on monetary policy transmission. She has contributed significant insights into the optimal design of monetary and fiscal policy, particularly in the context of currency unions and migration. Zhang has published various studies, one notable publication being 'Lending Relationships Optimal Monetary Policy' co-authored with Guillaume Rocheteau and Russell Tsz-Nga Wong. Additionally, she provides analysis on the implications of economic policies during crises, including her views on the Federal Reserve's role as a lender of last resort during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Interests