Maria Perez

Maria Perez was an assistant professor with the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington, where she conducted research in behavioral economics, econometrics, and education policy. She previously worked as a senior research scientist at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where she directed evaluation projects on a range of public policy issues, particularly those related to English language learners, low-performing schools, and students with disabilities. She was the recipient of the Stanford Interdisciplinary Fellowship and the Spencer Dissertation Fellowship, and her dissertation research focused on the theoretical and empirical effects of performance-based pay for teachers. Perez is currently a data scientist at Airbnb, where she has held multiple leadership roles, including head of data science for the Homes Platform. She applies advanced quantitative methodologies to business strategy, causal inference, and product analytics. Perez earned an MA in economics and a PhD in the economics of education from Stanford University.

updated 2025