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For legislators examining the successful transformation of an economy from agrarian to industrial and service sectors, there are intricate economic, institutional, and practical factors to consider. “Are specific areas ensnared in a state of under-industrialization?” questions Tishara Garg, a PhD student in economics at MIT. “If true, can governmental policies assist them in breaking free from this predicament and shifting to an economy defined by increased industrialization and higher-paying employment opportunities?”
Garg’s inquiry centers on trade, economic geography, and development. Her research culminated in the paper “Can Industrial Policy Overcome Coordination Failures: Theory and Evidence from Industrial Zones,” which explores whether economic policy can transition an economy from an unfavorable to a favorable condition.
Garg’s work synthesizes tools from industrial organization and numerical algebraic geometry. Her findings indicate that Indian regions with state-created industrial zones are 38 percent more likely to transition from a low to high state of industrialization over a 15-year span compared to those lacking such zones.
The types of inquiries posed during her research are not easily addressed through conventional technical and econometric methods, prompting her to develop novel tools. “A key contribution of my research is a methodological framework that integrates concepts from diverse fields,” she notes. “These instruments not only facilitate my investigation into my specific question but are also versatile enough to assist in addressing a wider array of issues related to various challenges.”
The innovative tools she has crafted, coupled with her openness to interdisciplinary collaboration, have enabled her to uncover creative strategies to tackle these challenges while adapting to new ones, a practice she asserts is actively fostered in an institution such as MIT.
“I have gained immensely from maintaining an open perspective and learning varied subjects,” she affirms.
“I entered academia later than most”
Garg’s path from Kaithal, India, to MIT was not particularly smooth, as societal expectations played a significant role. “The conventional route for individuals like me involves completing schooling, entering into an arranged marriage, and starting a family,” she states. “However, I excelled in academics and aspired for more.”
Coming from a background with limited access to information about career prospects, Garg developed an early affinity for mathematics. “I opted for business studies in high school with the intention of becoming an accountant,” she recalls. “My uncle was an accountant.”
While diligently completing a high school business program, her interest in economics blossomed. “Although I had little knowledge of economics initially, I grew to appreciate it,” she says. Garg delights in the process of deductive reasoning that starts with certain premises and incrementally leads to a well-defined conclusion. She particularly enjoys wrestling with the arguments presented in textbooks. Continuing her studies in economics, she enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Delhi, later obtaining her master’s from the Indian Statistical Institute. Pursuing a doctoral degree was not an option until she made it a reality.
“It required some time to persuade my parents,” she notes. After a year at a hedge fund, she applied to economics PhD programs in the United States and selected MIT. “I entered academia later than most,” she reflects. “Yet my passion was guiding me toward the academic route.”
Tackling ambitious and significant inquiries
Garg, who had not ventured outside India prior to arriving in Cambridge, Massachusetts, found the transition daunting. “I encountered new cultural norms, a language barrier, unfamiliar foods, and lacked a preexisting social network,” she remarks. Upon her arrival in 2019, Garg leaned on friends and MIT faculty for support.
“When Covid struck, the department supported me,” she recalls. Garg remembers regular check-ins from a faculty advisor and the sense of camaraderie that developed from shared experiences, such as navigating Covid-related guidelines. Adapting to a new and unfamiliar reality reshaped her self-perception. “The backing from the MIT community fostered my growth in numerous ways,” she reflects, “I discovered my voice here.”
Once she commenced her studies, one of the notable contrasts Garg observed was the plethora of viewpoints within her area of research. “At MIT, I conversed with students and faculty specializing in trade, developmental economics, industrial organization, macroeconomics, and more,” she states. “I had previously limited exposure to many of these sub-disciplines before joining MIT.”
She rapidly gained confidence, drawing heavily on her past achievements and the academic habits she cultivated during her time in India. “I am not a passive learner,” she asserts. “My approach is active, critical, and engaged.”
Engaging in her research exposes Garg to novel concepts. She discovered the importance of examining how other disciplines tackle problem-solving, a practice that was encouraged and facilitated at MIT.
One of the classes she enjoyed the most was an industrial organization course led by Tobias Salz. “I had limited familiarity with the content, and it was highly technical — but he presented it in such a clear and intuitive manner that I genuinely appreciated the class, even during the pandemic,” she recollects. This initial experience established a foundation for her future research. Salz subsequently became her dissertation advisor, aiding her engagement with work she would further develop.
“Addressing ambitious and significant inquiries is what captivates me about this work,” Garg states. “I find joy in learning, and I cherish the creative process of integrating diverse ideas, and MIT’s environment has allowed me to explore new concepts effortlessly.”
Collaborating with her advisors at MIT has equipped Garg to formalize her research and recognize the significance of uncovering inquiries and formulating methods to address them. Professor Abhijit Banerjee, a mentor and Nobel laureate, has guided her in appreciating varying traditions while remaining authentic in her analytical approach, she recalls. “This has empowered me to chase questions in ways that resonate most deeply with me,” she explains, “even if they do not fit neatly within traditional academic confines.”
This encouragement, combined with the diverse perspectives at MIT, motivated her to think innovatively about research obstacles and search for solutions beyond conventional methods. “The faculty at MIT have influenced my thinking and refined my approach to this work,” she asserts.
Giving back
Garg, who will pursue her research as a postdoc at Princeton University this fall and commence her professorship at Stanford University in 2026, emphasizes her network of friends and mentors.
“From regular check-ins with my mentors to fostering relationships that provide balance in my studies, the individuals at MIT have been indispensable,” she shares.
Garg is particularly passionate about the mentorship opportunities available as a researcher and educator. “I have greatly benefited from the network of friends and mentors at MIT, and I aspire to give back — especially to women and others from backgrounds similar to mine,” she states.
She highlights the roles of her mentors, David Atkin and Dave Donaldson — with whom she is collaborating on research analyzing instances of economic distortions — as significant influences on her development and crucial for her commitment to guiding others. “They have stood by me at every juncture,” she shares.
Garg advises maintaining an open mind above all. “Some of my students came from less math-intensive backgrounds and would limit themselves or feel discouraged from pursuing theoretical work,” she remarks. “However, I always motivated them to follow their passions above everything, even if it intimidated them.”
The eclectic range of ideas in her research interests continues to intrigue Garg, who looks forward to what lies ahead. “Don’t shy away from significant questions,” she encourages. “Dive into the larger concepts.”
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