His research focuses on the economics of risky health behaviors, including cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and those that relate to obesity. He has published papers on Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Health Economics, Health Economics, etc. Before joining CUHK Shenzhen, he taught at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. He received his Ph.D. in policy analysis and management from Cornell University in 2007. He obtained his M.A. in economics from IUPUI, where he has received the Chancellor's Scholar Award for excellence in academic achievement in 2003.