Monika Brown

Writer

About

Monika Brown is a freelancer in data visualization. She previously worked as a trader at UBS, Goldman Sachs and several hedge funds before starting a second career in data analysis and data visualization. She holds an MBA from UC Berkeley, a B.A. from Brown University and, more recently, an M.Sc. in data science and advanced analytics from Nova IMS.

An aerial photo of a burned neighborhood in Paradise, California, on November 15, 2018, after one of the deadliest wildfires in recent California history. Research Brief / Risk Management

A More Effective Way to Spot Potential Wildfire Origins in the Electric Grid

Sampling method capitalizes on similarities between grid sections to stretch inspection dollars

A screenshot of Nike's Refurbished page and a three-panel explanation of how it works. Research Brief / Manufacturing

Amid Supply Chain Uncertainty, Should Manufacturers Crank Up Reusability?

Obstacles and incentives to refurbishing and re-selling goods

Calm blue ocean water with a sliver of horizon above it. Research Brief / Bond Market

How Quantitative Easing Changed the Bond Market

Investors’ future expectations about QE policy lowered long-term yields, made investors feel safer holding the bonds

Painting of dogs playing poker. Research Brief / Investing

Why the Stock Market Needs Gamblers

They counteract the impulses of two other market personality types

A woman shops in the shoe aisle at a department store in New York City Research Brief / Supply Chain

If Shoe Shoppers Will Accept a Half-Size Difference, How Should Merchants Adjust Inventory?

Carrying fewer pairs of some sizes could be a potential profit booster for boutiques

Growing financial bar graph that resembles a roller coaster Research Brief / Investing

Why Rising Stocks Sometimes Reverse, Then Rally

Cultural differences and investor behavior can drive reversals and momentum

An aerial view of California's Shasta Lake taken in 2024 Research Brief / Global Warming

The New Math for Reservoir Management Amid Climate Change

Sacramento River Basin serves as a test case for conserving water over unpredictable weather cycles

A graph of the U.S. dollar index Research Brief / Currencies

When Exchange Rates Move, U.S. Companies Feel It — Even More Than Previously Thought

Firm-specific export data enables researchers to potentially solve a puzzle in economics

Illustration of a hand holding a bidding panel and a house. Research Brief / Consumer Behavior

People Pay for the Right to Bid — and Then Overbid

Bidders sacrifice a better price to avoid ending up with nothing

Radio tower waves, communication tower on earth Research Brief / Bond Market

One Way the Stock Market Sends Signals to Bond Traders

Thin stock trading, amid both price volatility and a period of potential economic change, leads bond investors to seek a higher yield

Chalkbaord illustration of a group of business people during a boardroom meeting Research Brief / Corporate Investment

The Role of Board-of-Directors Pay in Effective Corporate Investing

A model juggles who should suffer when a project goes awry; job market prospects of the CEO; and the quality of information shared in the boardroom

A woman deposits her vote in a sealed envelope into an official voting ballot box in Washington state. Research Brief / Politics

Prediction Markets + Polls + Economic Indicators: Better Election Forecasting?

A model incorporating markets that allow betting on elections suggests a role in prognostications

A woman hands off cases of drinks to a male volunteer. Research Brief / Management

How Nonprofits Can Better Engage Volunteers

When to allow unpaid workers to call dibs on recurring tasks — and when not to

Covid-19 vaccine vials in a row macro close-up. Research Brief / COVID-19

Should the U.S. Aim for a Zero-COVID-19 Policy?

Tolerating a low level of transmission just might be the better strategy