PhD Candidate in Economics
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
I am currently a research assistant for Dr. Steven Bond-Smith at the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO). We investigate the economic performance of Hawaii from a regional economic development framework and are organizing the Hawaiian Economic Development Institute (work in progress).
PhD in Economics
Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
MA in International Relations
Advisors: Dr. Atsushi Kato (primary), Dr. Tomoo Kikuchi
BS in Economics — Magna Cum Laude
Minors in Chinese Language & Northeast-Asia Pacific Studies
Supervisor: Dr. Steven Bond-Smith (UH Manoa / UHERO)
Worked with Dr. Bond-Smith to write reports and recommendations to diagnose Hawaii's economic situation, with a focus on adjusting Hawaii's income statistics for local prices and examining slower than average growth rates. Performed statistical analysis, wrote and edited reports, created graphics, charts, and tables.
Second dissertation chapter examining the long-term effects of Cultural Revolution violence on governance outcomes in contemporary China. Presenting at Western Economic Association International Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, April 2026.
First dissertation chapter, an analysis of Belt and Road Initiative effects on democratic institutions in recipient countries. Presented at Western Economic Association San Francisco Conference, June 2025.
Mentor: Dr. Michael Roberts (UH Manoa)
Used SWITCH modelling to determine optimal level of natural gas infrastructure investment needs with endogenous price and supply and demand response.
Mentors: Dr. Toshio Obi (Waseda University — Emeritus), Dr. Naoko Iwasaki (Waseda University)
Researched and edited the Waseda International Digital Government Rankings 2021. Provided policy suggestions for reports. Researched and wrote a report on bilateral investment between the US and Indonesia/Vietnam.
Lecturer, Department of Economics — University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for analyzing key issues facing today's developing world. Topics include characteristics of underdeveloped economies, economic growth, structural change, poverty, inequality, education, population growth, foreign aid, and the financial sector.
Develops basic techniques and fundamental concepts of microeconomic theory. Learn to use economic reasoning to understand the social consequences of decisions made by individual consumers, producers, and governments.
Designed to help develop basic techniques of data analysis and visualization. Introduces sources of economic data; methods of preparing data from various file and data formats for analysis; methods of visualization.
Working papers coming soon.
Bond-Smith, S., & Schwartz, E. (2026, February 1). Beyond the price of paradise: Is Hawaiʻi being left behind? University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO).
Schwartz, E. (2022). High speed rail opening and economic agglomeration effects in Western China [Master's thesis, Waseda University].
"Chinese Cultural Revolution Violence and Contemporary Governance"
Presenting April 4, 2026
"Chinese Development Finance and Host Country Political Institutions"
Presented September 30, 2025
"Chinese Development Finance and Host Country Political Institutions"
Presented June 26, 2025