New professor at HCHE: Three questions to Biliana YontchevaThe scientist is moving from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf to Hamburg

26 September 2024, by Hannes Rathjen

A very warm welcome to Professor Biliana Yontcheva, who will join the Universität Hamburg (Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences) in November 2024. Within the Professorship for Health Economics with an emphasis on empirical methods, she will be a new core member at the HCHE. Biliana Yontcheva joins the HCHE from Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE)/Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.

What attracts you to the the new position?

I see the position of Professor for Health Economics with an emphasis on empirical methods as providing a unique opportunity to contribute to evidence-based economic policy. As more data become available, we can deepen our understanding of the factors influencing health outcomes and work towards improving both access to services, as well as the quality of healthcare. The HCHE team is addressing critical challenges within the healthcare system, and I am enthusiastic about the prospect of joining their efforts.

Which (health economic) topics will you be focusing on in particular?

At the moment, I am working on several projects which evaluate the impact of vertical integration between healthcare providers and insurance companies on patient outcomes and healthcare expenditures, as well as competition within the sector. Additionally, I aim to explore how market conditions influence nutritional choices, working at the intersection of competition policy and health economics.

Why did you choose University of Hamburg / the HCHE / Hamburg?

The University of Hamburg provides a dynamic working environment, with abundant opportunities for exchange within a diverse team. Being part of the HCHE will allow me to collaborate with colleagues across various disciplines, leveraging a broad range of methodologies. The interdisciplinary culture at HCHE fosters innovative research and I am very excited to join the team. Furthermore, Hamburg as a city is a major hub of art, culture, and industry that I am thrilled to explore.