Mohammad Akbarpour

Professor of Economics
Professor of Computer Science (by courtesy), School of Engineering
Academic Area:
Mohammad Akbarpour

Bio

Mohammad Akbarpour works on market design, the interaction of design and inequality, and networked markets. Akbarpour is particularly interested in understanding how the kidney exchange markets, school choice systems, and the labor markets evolve, and to improve their designs. He frequently employs tools from computer science to tackle computationally complex economic problems.

Research Interests

  • Microeconomic Theory
  • Matching/Auction Market Design
  • Social and Economic Networks
  • Over-the-Counter Financial Markets

Academic Degrees

  • PhD in Economics, Stanford University, 2015
  • MS in Economics, Stanford University, 2014
  • BS in Electrical Engineering; Sharif University of Technology, Iran; 2009

Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor of Economics, Stanford GSB, 2020–present
  • Assistant Professor of Computer Science (by courtesy), School of Engineering, 2019–present
  • Assistant Professor of Economics, Stanford GSB, 2016–20

Awards and Honors

  • Kevin J. O'Donohue Family Faculty Scholar, 2023–24
  • Botha-Chan Faculty Scholar, 2022–23
  • Botha-Chan Faculty Scholar, 2021–22
  • Philip F. Maritz Faculty Scholar, 2020–21
  • Philip F. Maritz Faculty Scholar, 2019–20
  • Philip F. Maritz Faculty Scholar, 2018–19
  • Research Fellow, Becker-Friedman Institute, University of Chicago, 2015–16
  • Review of Economic Studies Tour, 2015
  • B.F. Haley and E.S Shaw Fellowship for Economics (SIEPR Dissertation Fellowship), 2014
  • Sean Buckley Memorial Award, Best 2nd Year Paper Prize, Stanford University Economics Department and Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, 2012
  • Department of Economics Graduate Full-year Fellowship, 2011

Research Statement

My research is defined broadly by questions of market design and network theory. Within these fields I investigate subjects as disparate as redistributive policies, auctions, dynamic matching, kidney markets, and diffusion in networks. Methodologically, some of my work is distinguished by applying an “algorithmic” perspective that, instead of (over)simplifying the models to make them tractable, includes first-order complexities and characterizes near-optimal solutions, which enables me to identify key features of the exact optimum. My research is defined broadly by questions of market design and network theory. Within these fields I investigate subjects as disparate as redistributive policies, auctions, dynamic matching, kidney markets, and diffusion in networks. Methodologically, some of my work is distinguished by applying an “algorithmic” perspective that, instead of (over)simplifying the models to make them tractable, includes first-order complexities and characterizes near-optimal solutions, which enables me to identify key features of the exact optimum (read full research statement).

Journal Articles

Mohammad Akbarpour, Julien Combe, Yinghua He, Victor Hiller, Robert Shimer, Olivier Tercieux
The Review of Economic Studies
September 2024
Mohammad Akbarpour, Piotr Dworczak, Scott Duke Kominers
Journal of Political Economy
June 2024 Vol. 132 Issue 6
Mohammad Akbarpour, Eric Budish, Piotr Dworczak, Scott Duke Kominers
The Quarterly Journal of Economics
February 2024 Vol. 139 Issue 1 Pages 359–417
Mohammad Akbarpour, Scott Duke Kominers, Kevin Michael Li, Shengwu Li, Paul R. Milgrom
Econometrica
November 2023 Vol. 91 Issue 6 Pages 1969–2003
Mohammad Akbarpour, Adam Kapor, Christopher Neilson, Winnie van Dijk, Seth Zimmerman
Journal of Public Economics
June 2022 Vol. 210
Afshin Nikzad, Mohammad Akbarpour, Michael A. Rees, Alvin E. Roth
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
September 7, 2021 Vol. 118 Issue 36
Piotr Dworczak, Scott Duke Kominers, Mohammad Akbarpour
Econometrica
July 2021 Vol. 89 Issue 4 Pages 1665–1698
Mohammad Akbarpour, Afshin Nikzad
The Review of Economic Studies
November 2020 Vol. 87 Issue 6 Pages 2473–2510
Mohammad Akbarpour, Shengwu Li
Econometrica
March 2020 Vol. 88 Issue 2 Pages 425–467
Mohammad Akbarpour, Matthew Jackson
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
July 2018 Vol. 115 Issue 30 Pages E6996-E7004

Working Papers

Mohammad Akbarpour, Cody Cook, Aude Marzuoli, Simon Mongey, Abhishek Nagaraj, Matteo Saccarola, Pietro Tebaldi, Shoshana Vasserman, Hanbin Yang June 2020
Mohammad Akbarpour, Winnie van Dijk September 2018
Mohammad Akbarpour, Shengwu Li July 16, 2018
Mohammad Akbarpour, Suraj Malladi, Amin Saberi April 2018
Afshin Nikzad, Mohammad Akbarpour, Michael A. Rees, Alvin E. Roth December 2017

Insights by Stanford Business

September 25, 2024
In this bonus episode, we explore the personal stories that inspire big questions and challenge fundamental assumptions in business research.
July 25, 2024
In our season one wrap-up episode, Senior Associate Dean Jesper Sørensen discusses the importance of research.
April 03, 2024
If we want a more equitable world, then we need to consider the different ways people value money.
November 22, 2021
A Stanford GSB economist argues that well-designed markets can address inequality while remaining competitive.
October 15, 2021
Even modest improvements to organ exchange markets can save many lives. That’s where economists and operations experts come in.
December 09, 2020
We’ve compiled an eclectic collection of books to share — or hoard — while sheltering in place this season.
September 01, 2020
A new computer model developed by Stanford researchers could help policymakers choose the right reopening strategy.
June 26, 2020
Lotteries for public school admissions unintentionally favor students who have the option to attend private institutions, a new study shows.
December 06, 2019
Stanford GSB professors recommend the books they’re most likely to give as presents over this year’s holiday season.
December 03, 2018
From tips for career satisfaction to an economist’s stint as an Uber driver, here are the stories that caught our readers’ attention.
August 21, 2018
New research casts suspicion about auctions in the online advertising market.
June 11, 2018
A new study questions the effectiveness of targeting “hubs” at the center of social networks.
March 13, 2017
Research seeks ways to reduce wait times and increase matches for kidney transplants.

School News

May 09, 2024
If you’re looking for smart answers to complex questions, then you should check out this new podcast.
January 18, 2024
If/Then aims to help business leaders address modern problems
August 20, 2020
The fellowship recognizes Akbarpour’s promising explorations that bridge computer science and economic theory.
November 02, 2016
This fall, the Stanford Graduate School of Business welcomed six new professors — including the 2016 winner of the prestigious John Bates Clark award, Yuliy Sannikov — and 11 lecturers.