Skip to main content

(PDF Version)


Economic and Statistical Analysis

Thoughtful economist with strong statistical training and experience who adapts analytical methods to complex problems, tailors output to match internal and external client needs, and provides rigorous oversight to ensure accuracy and consistency. Enthusiastic to understand and model business and consumer behavior, and to develop new insights using data analytics and visualization. Works well collaboratively and independently to meet project goals and timelines.

Education

  • Ph.D., Economics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, May 2012.
    Dissertation Title: "Econometric Analyses of Health Care Markets"
    Committee: Donald Kenkel, Claudio Lucarelli, Sean Nicholson
  • M.A., Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, May 2006.
    Committee: Christopher Cornwell, Angela Fertig, David Mustard
  • A.B., Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, May 2006.
    Summa cum laude, First Honor Graduate

Professional Experience

  • Economist, Joint Committee on Taxation of the U.S. Congress, Washington, DC, March 2015 to Present
    • Prepares official, nonpartisan revenue estimates of tax legislation considered by Congress.
  • Associate, Analysis Group, Boston, MA, August 2012 to January 2015
    • Designed and conducted statistical analyses of both large and small scale consumer survey data, health care claims, sales data, administrative records, and published literature to support client needs across a variety of industries: consumer package goods, durable goods, mobile technology, telecommunications, automotive, health care delivery, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Applied and adapted statistical methods in light of the data generating process, data availability, and causal inference.
    • Drafted and reviewed surveys which addressed many aspects of the consumer experience, including information gathering; initial product adoption; repeat purchase decisions; consumer preferences and valuation of product features; response to changes in price, features, and availability; and determinants of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Matched survey design and analysis to client needs by balancing the breadth and intensity of the survey with budget, timeline, and risk. Deliverables included analytical support for pricing decisions, a long-term strategy for survey research, generating scientific evidence for litigation, and publishing manuscripts for regulatory review.
    • Developed economic models in collaboration with academic experts and senior consultants to understand results of statistical analyses. Conducted systematic reviews of academic and industry literature to guide analytical decisions and model assumptions. Creatively summarized data to support or refute hypotheses and discover new insights. Drafted and delivered reports, manuscripts, and presentations of economic findings internally to case teams as well as externally to clients, in peer-reviewed publications, and at professional conferences.
    • Led teams of analysts to quickly and accurately return client-ready results for managerial review. Audited analysts’ statistical codes and evaluated intermediate results with focus on logical consistency, interpretation, and relationship to overall project. Automated delivery of statistical results using software tools to increase precision while still allowing for flexibility. Managed work flow to stay within project scope and timelines.
    • Drafted project proposals for new potential clients and to expand the scope of existing projects.
  • Research and Teaching Assistant, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, August 2006 to May 2012
    • Research Assistant to Sean Nicholson and Claudio Lucarelli investigating prescription patterns and trends in chemotherapy use for colorectal, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer. Identified, applied for, administered, and analyzed linked Medicare health care claims and National Cancer Institute cancer registry data. Generated cost effectiveness measures and drafted results for publication.
    • Teaching and Research Assistant to Donald Kenkel for the course “Economics of Public Health” and for National Institutes of Health-funded research into the determinants of smoking cessation. Developed course materials, led review sections, and held open office hours. Reviewed academic literature and compiled database of minimum schooling requirements used as instruments in econometric research of health behaviors and outcomes.
    • University Tutor in the Office of State Programs teaching supplemental curriculum to underrepresented students for the courses "Introduction to Statistics" and "Multiple Regression Analysis." Developed material and tracked student progress.

Research Papers

Fellowships and Awards

  • Cornell University Provost's Fellowship, August 2011.
  • Certificate for Graduate Teaching Assistant Excellence, May 2011.
  • Cornell University College of Human Ecology Research Fellowship, August 2008.
  • Terry College of Business Student of the Year, May 2006.
  • Phi Beta Kappa, March 2006.
  • University of Georgia Foundation Fellowship, March 2004.

Professional Affiliations

  • American Economic Association
  • American Marketing Association
  • American Society of Health Economists
  • International Health Economics Association

Presentations
(* Indicates that coauthored work was presented by coauthor.)

  • American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting: 2014
  • American Society of Health Economists Biennial Conference: 2008*, 2010
  • Annual Health Econometrics Workshop: 2011*, 2012
  • National Hemophilia Foundation Annual Meeting: 2013*
  • World Federation of Hemophilia Congress: 2012*

Referee Service

  • Health Economics
  • Economics and Human Biology
  • Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

Technical Skills

  • Advanced user of SAS, Stata, SQL, GPower, LaTeX, and Microsoft Office Suite. Hands-on familiarity with MATLAB, R, Python, VBA, and Sawtooth.
  • Skilled in random and nonrandom sampling schemes; parametric and nonparametric statistical tests; power calculations; linear, nonlinear, and limited dependent variable regression; multivariate models; propensity score and matched-sample analyses; conjoint analysis; demand estimation and simulation; hazard and duration analysis; cost and comparative effectiveness analysis.
  • Proficient in Spanish.

References

  • Donald Kenkel
    Joan K. and Irwin M. Jacobs Professor of Economics and Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University
    2310 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
    t. 607 255 2594; e. DSK10@cornell.edu
  • Rebecca Kirk Fair
    Managing Principal, Analysis Group
    111 Huntington Avenue, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA 02199
    t. 617 425 8256 (direct), 617 425 8000 (main); e. Rebecca.KirkFair@analysisgroup.com
  • Laura O'Laughlin
    Senior Economist, Analysis Group
    1000 De La Gauchetiere Ouest, Bureau 1200, Montreal, QC H3B 4W5
    t. 514 394 4438 (direct), 514 394 4460 (main); e. Laura.OLaughlin@analysisgroup.com
  • Alan G. White
    Managing Principal, Analysis Group
    111 Huntington Avenue, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA 02199
    t. 617 425 8217 (direct), 617 425 8000 (main); e. Alan.White@analysisgroup.com

Citizenship    United States

 

 

Contact Information

Joseph LeCates
Joint Committee on Taxation
1625 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

e.  jlecates;@;gmail.com
w. www.JosephLeCates.com