Donovan Rasamoelison

Hello! I am a PhD candidate in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. My research interests span labor and public economics, personal finance, and applied microeconomics, with a focus on using economic theory and econometric methods to study government programs, public policies, and their effects on behavior and economic welfare.

My job market paper examines the behavioral and welfare consequences of fraud-prevention mechanisms in public programs, focusing on screening and compliance documentation. While these mechanisms can reduce fraudulent claims, they may also impose large administrative costs. I study this tradeoff and find that documentation requirements impose substantial burdens on firms while providing limited additional deterrence when initial screening is already in place. The findings suggest that layering compliance requirements onto existing screening mechanisms can reduce welfare without generating commensurate gains in program integrity. You can learn more about my research here and find my CV here. 

I am on the 2026-2027 job market. You can contact me at: rasamoelison@ucsb.edu.