Growing up in Armenia, I developed strong ties to my community and a deep desire to contribute to my country’s prosperity. This motivation guided my decision to pursue higher education in the United States and now propels my work as a PhD student in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. My academic training, research focus, and professional experiences have all been aligned with one overarching goal: to help build a secure, resilient, and economically vibrant Armenia.

My current research centers on electricity markets, particularly the integration of renewable energy sources and storage technologies into the power grid. This work is vital to understanding how the accelerating transformation of global electricity systems impacts price volatility, reliability, and long-term affordability. Using mathematical modeling and data from wholesale electricity markets around the world, I study how novel energy technologies reshape grid dynamics and what design principles ensure safe and efficient market operation.

These questions are especially urgent for Armenia. A landlocked country with limited natural resources and surrounded by geopolitical challenges, Armenia is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels to meet its energy needs. Energy security is therefore a strategic priority. The Armenian government has rightly recognized the importance of investing in renewable energy—such as solar, wind, and biofuel—and developing storage infrastructure. Yet these transitions come with complex, poorly understood implications. My research is designed to address these very issues. By analyzing how renewable integration affects prices, reliability, and market design, my work can directly inform Armenian energy policy.

Beyond research, I am committed to public service and education in Armenia. I aspire to eventually work in government and academia, using advanced econometric tools to shape data-driven policies that promote sustainable growth and reduce challenges such as corruption, tax evasion, and economic vulnerability. My undergraduate thesis, which found a causal link between economic growth and lower crime rates, underscored how informed policy can yield real social benefits. During my 2023 internship with the Central Bank of Armenia, I authored a detailed report calling for greater trade diversification to reduce macroeconomic risk—an example of my dedication to applied, actionable research.

Investing in my education means investing in Armenia’s future. As I gain deeper expertise in electricity market design, environmental economics, and public finance, I will continue applying these tools to serve the Republic of Armenia. I envision a future where Armenian households and businesses benefit from clean, affordable, and secure energy, and where evidence-based policymaking supports lasting prosperity. I believe this scholarship will help me advance that vision.

I am aware that Huys Foundation is granting the Huys Scholarship to me with the anticipation of my good faith pursuit and implementation of the projects and undertakings described in this letter, to which I hereby commit.