Hi, I’m Zikun Ye. I am an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Michael G. Foster School of Business, University of Washington.

My research focuses on developing and leveraging data-driven optimization algorithms, field experiments, causal inference, and machine learning to evaluate and optimize strategies in the contexts of digital platforms and marketplaces.

Before joining the Foster School of Business, I earned my Ph.D. in Operations Research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2023 and my Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Engineering with Zhiyuan honors from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2018.

I am looking for motivated students with either a strong mathematics/engineering background or research experience in the business area. If you plan to pursue a PhD starting in Fall 2025, and are interested in working with me, please contact me and apply to the Marketing Department at Foster.