In 1992, when Natalia Tamirisa came to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to pursue her Economics doctorate, it was an exciting time. “This was during the so-called ‘Asian Miracle,’ in part because Asian economics was considered one of the main strengths of the UH Economics program,” recalls Tamirisa. “The Soviet Union was opening up, and UH was willing to welcome a student from Russia who was interested in learning the free-market system.”
Tamirisa said her memorable years at the College of Social Sciences was a period of intensive learning and immersion in new and diverse ideas, cultures and people. She would become one of then Assistant Professor Denise Eby Konan’s very first doctoral students. “I will always treasure the opportunity to have been guided by such a bright and nurturing PhD advisor,” said Tamirisa.
On earning her doctorate in 1997, Tamirisa was hired at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an organization based in Washington, D.C. that works to promote financial stability and monetary cooperation among its 190 member countries.
Fast-forward 25 years to 2022, when both Konan and Tamirisa are still at UH Mānoa and IMF, respectively. But today Konan is in the top job at CSS as dean, and her “brilliant student” Tamirisa is an IMF advisor who has authored and co-authored about 60 published papers. Topics range from energy and tourism in Hawaiʻi in 1997, to a 2008 paper that foreshadowed the threat of climate change and its impact on the economy. Tamirisa and Konan even co-authored a paper together in 1996, “National Security or Private Profits? Trade in Dual-Use Commodities.”
“Natalia and I came to the UH Mānoa Economics Department for many of the same reasons, as it was the foremost place to study the rapidly emerging economies of Asia,” said Konan. “Coming from Russia, Natalia was deeply curious about alternative economic development strategies. She had keen insights and outstanding mathematical talents, and that spark of knowing that she could make a difference.”
Tamirisa said, in her many years at IMF, she has worked on different economic policy issues and engaged with international staff and policymakers from different countries and at some of the most prestigious schools in the world. And, for that, she is grateful for her education and life experience while in Hawaiʻi.
“UH provided me with the strong basis to be able to stand toe-to-toe with my colleagues and representatives from various countries,” she said. “My PhD taught me to have an open and flexible mind – to be ready to apply economic theory and empirical knowledge to real-world problems. The experience of living in Hawaiʻi also taught me to appreciate cultural diversity and perspectives from around the world, particularly Asia.”
Tamirisa said, if a prospective Economics student asked her for advice about enrolling at CSS, it would be to go for it. “Studying economics at UH, and living in Hawaiʻi, can benefit you in multiple and perhaps unexpected ways,” she said. “While there are many mainstream economic positions in the U.S. job market, I urge you to look globally and get involved with the international community, for which UH prepared me well. Although I have traveled the world from Turkmenistan to Albania to Singapore, I regret that I have only visited Hawaiʻi once since I finished my PhD. I cannot wait to see again the beauty of the ocean, flowers and people of the islands.”
