Professor Byoung Park Recognized as Distinguished Nominee for the Inaugural Catalyst Award

The Department of Economics is proud to announce that Professor Byoung Park has been named a Distinguished Nominee for the inaugural Catalyst Award for Faculty Mentorship of Undergraduate Research.

The Catalyst Award, organized by the Minerva Center, recognizes faculty members who provide outstanding mentorship to undergraduate students in their research and creative activities. Students engaged in research across the university participated in the nomination process earlier this year.

Professor Park has advised two undergraduate research projects supported by the Minerva Center Innovation Funding for Research & Creative Endeavors. One project, conducted with Ju-Hyeon Kim and titled “Statistical Analysis of NBA Team and League Salary Distribution,” examines patterns in salary allocation across teams and over time. The second project, conducted with Gaheul Yi and titled “A Comparative Analysis of Variations in the Control of Women’s Bodily Autonomy and Reproductive Rights in the United States Across Regions,” explores regional differences in abortion policy and institutional frameworks related to reproductive rights. Both projects will be presented at the Minerva Center Showcase Day on April 30.

Please join us in congratulating Professor Park on this well-deserved recognition of his commitment to undergraduate research and mentorship.