Parag A. Pathak

Parag A. Pathak is the Class of 1922 Professor of Economics at MIT.  Pathak’s research is on market design, a branch of microeconomics that seeks to devise practical solutions to real-world allocation problems.  His research has influenced real-world practice. In 2005, based on work in his PhD thesis, Boston’s school committee adopted a new mechanism for student placement.

Recently, Pathak launched a research program applying ideas from market design to the rationing of vital medical resources. In May 2020, he was part of an interdisciplinary team at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who used the reserve system to ration the anti-viral drug Remdesivir.  Pathak’s work has garnered several recognitions including the 2018 John Bates Clark Medal from the American Economic Association as the best American economist under age 40.​