Dr. Yao is responsible for macro-economic analysis, fiscal and taxation policy research, public affairs management, and preparation of speeches and press conferences for the Minister and Vice Ministers. During her Humphrey year, Dr. Yao plans to study the fields of finance and banking, with emphasis on the organizational structure of the American government expenditure system. Dr. Yao holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in law from Peking University, Beijing, and a Ph.D. in economics from Lanzhou University, China.