Sania Zeb, MACSS’25

Sania Zeb, who moved to Chicago from Pakistan, was the first of her family to graduate from college. Her decision to pursue MACSS-Econ was driven by the program's unique blend of techniques and theory, which she believes “provides remarkable avenues both in the job market as well as for my PhD applications.” This strategic choice reflects her commitment to gaining skills that are essential for addressing complex economic issues, particularly in developing countries.

What truly stands out about the MACSS program for Zeb is its unique approach to social science. She says, “MACSS offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, with constant motivation to learn new skills and techniques every day. It's a challenge that is worth taking.” This environment has not only sharpened her technical abilities—transforming initial programming challenges into opportunities for success—but has also nurtured a passion for applying these skills to create a poverty alleviation model for developing countries. Reflecting on her journey, Zeb acknowledges the transformative impact UChicago has already had on her life: “The investment made by the University of Chicago in my education through scholarships and intellectual rigor has profoundly transformed my skill set and perspective.”

For her thesis, "Intergenerational Educational Spillovers in Pakistan", Zeb studied the 1972 nationalization of Pakistan’s education system as a natural experiment to understand how large-scale policy interventions alter human capital transmission across generations. To support this ambitious research, she was guided by several faculty in the Department of Economics as well as made use of the University’s Research Computing Center, which provided her efficient use of her big data skills. With these experiences and aspirations, Zeb is poised to make significant contributions to the field of development economics wherever her academic and professional career takes her.

As of 2025, Zeb was working as a research analyst for UChicago's Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics as well as at the Development Innovation Lab, led by Professor Michael Kremer.

Read Sania Zeb's Transcript (certain updates were provided after the interview).