Predocs at IRLE

A cohort of emerging social sciences researchers at UC Berkeley

Each year IRLE hosts predoctoral scholars working with affiliated UC Berkeley faculty members across a variety of social sciences disciplines. For these early stage researchers, we provide workspaces, an intellectual home, and a place for them to interact on issues related to labor, employment, and economic opportunity. 

Check back for new predoc opportunities. UC Berkeley faculty interested in promoting a predoc opportunity through IRLE can email us at irle@berkeley.edu.

Learn more about our current cohort of scholars below:

2025-2026 Cohort

Mckenzie Diep smiling outside of a university building

Mckenzie Diep

BA Urban Studies and Economics, UC Berkeley Supervisor: Antoine Levy, Fisher Center for Real Estate + Urban Economics

My research focus is on urban and labor economics. I’m interested in improving the spatial distribution of wealth and resources and ultimately tackling barriers to upward mobility for underserved communities.

Youg Sanghvi smiling outside at dusk

Youg Sanghvi

BA Economics, University of Southern California Supervisor: Tamma Carleton, Agricultural & Resource Economics

I’m interested in the intersection of environmental and development economics and how policy can be shaped to mitigate climate impacts and boost resilience. I’m also interested in broader questions of inequality and institutional pre-distribution solutions to it.

Yachi Tu

BA Finance, Fudan University Supervisor: Chenzi Xu, Economics

I am interested in international trade, macroeconomics, and financial economics.

Astrid Tonnet smiling against a gray wall.

Astrid Tonnet

BA Economics, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay Supervisor: Chenzi Xu, Economics

My research focuses on sovereign debt and sovereign risk in financial markets. I am currently studying historical banking crises using archival and macroeconomic data to understand their dynamics and consequences.