The Gift of Chess Welcomes Uyanga Byambaa as Director of Research.
“My journey from a small town in Mongolia to pursuing my academic dreams in the United States during the Great Recession was marked by challenges. Arriving as a 'stranger in a strange land,' I faced the daunting task of adapting to a new environment with limited English proficiency and financial support. Throughout this period of dramatic change and struggle, chess served as my language and outlet, providing numerous opportunities both intellectually and financially. Soon, I started playing professionally and began teaching the game to children in after-school enrichment programs, accumulating over a decade of experience.
Combining my extensive background in chess and academia, I am currently intrigued by understanding how chess impacts children's development and human capital through evidence-based research. As part of this initiative, I have conducted outreach work in Kenya and Botswana, exploring the effectiveness of chess as an educational tool in diverse contexts. I am excited to contribute to the transformative power of chess and be part of the greatness of "The Gift of Chess".”
About Uyanga Byambaa:
I am currently a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley, where my research focuses on economic development, economies of education, and human capital. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am serving as a short-term consultant at the World Bank in their poverty and equity team. Simultaneously, I am a graduate student researcher involved in the Kenya Life Panel Survey round 5 under the guidance of my advisor, and I hold the position of a teaching assistant for the economic course 'Global Poverty and Impact Evaluation.' Previously, I had the opportunity to teach a course on Economics and Public Policy at the PPIA Junior Summer Institute, Goldman School of Public Policy. Before delving into academia, I worked as a senior research analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. My overarching goal is to make a meaningful impact through my research.