Ruoqi Yu, assistant professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been selected for funding by the Campus Research Board through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation. Her project, “Design Before Analysis: Matching Methods for Causal Evaluation of Dynamic Treatment Regimes,” has also been designated an Arnold O. Beckman Award, recognizing research projects of special distinction or promise.
Yu’s research focuses on causal inference in observational studies, with applications in public policy, health sciences and social sciences. Her funded project aims to develop new statistical methods for evaluating decisions made over multiple stages, such as sequential grade-retention strategies in education. By building balanced comparison groups before examining outcomes, the proposed approach seeks to improve the reliability of evaluations using observational data.
The Campus Research Board’s Research Support Awards advance faculty scholarship by supporting research in new or interdisciplinary directions, preliminary studies and projects that strengthen opportunities for future external funding.
The Arnold O. Beckman designation is supported by the Beckman Research Endowment, established in 1980 through a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Arnold O. Beckman and a challenge to the university to secure matching private support. The Campus Research Board selects projects of special distinction or promise for this designation through its regular review process.