Atsuko Tanaka

Atsuko Tanaka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on labor markets, health economics, and public policy, particularly examining topics such as female labor supply, skill investment, and pension reforms. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013), alongside advanced degrees from Cornell University and the University of Tokyo.

Education

• Ph.D. Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013)
• M.S. Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2010)
• M.S. Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University (2007)
• B.A. Agricultural Economics, University of Tokyo (2004)

Research Interests

Tanaka’s work explores how health shocks, financial constraints, and policy interventions influence labor market outcomes. She investigates topics such as post-educational skill accumulation via college loans, strategic medical treatment choices under reimbursement reforms, and the macroeconomic effects of pension system transitions. Her research combines rigorous econometric methods with real-world administrative data to inform evidence-based policy.

Awards and Grants

• SSHRC Connection Grant (2022, co-PI: Apostolos Serletis)
• National Science Foundation Extreme Science Grant (2021)
• SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2016)
• Susan Jane Blake Kocin Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011)

Grants and Collaboration

Her research has been supported by major grants, including SSHRC and NSF funding. She collaborates with scholars on projects like analyzing physician behavior under reimbursement reforms, auditing firm dynamics, and international aid allocation strategies. Her work bridges theoretical models with empirical evidence to address complex socio-economic challenges.