Raisa Epikhina is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in World Economy at Moscow State University, where she works as a junior research fellow. Epikhina is conducting research on the development of the electric power sector in China, as well as on international innovation policies and economics. She holds an M.A. in Asian and African Studies from Moscow State University with a concentration in the economies of Asian and African countries, and a B.A. in Oriental Studies from the Institute of Practical Oriental Studies in Moscow, Russia. She studied Chinese language and culture and did field research for her Master’s thesis at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Ms. Epikhina also completed international professional development coursework for electricity industry experts in Ningbo and Hangzhou. She previously served at the State Duma of the Russian Federation as a Deputy’s aide specializing in energy and international relations. Ms. Epikhina has published numerous articles on the development of the energy sector in China.

While in the United States, she plans to conduct research on mergers and acquisitions and post-reform electricity industry consolidation in China and Russia with David Pumphrey, Senior Adviser for the Energy and National Security Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.