Melissa Tartari is an Associate Instructional Professor in the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, where she teaches econometrics and causal inference. Her research is in applied microeconomics, particularly labor economics and public finance. She has worked on both structural and reduced-form approaches. She welcomes students interested in both paradigms.

Before rejoining academia, Tartari spent over a decade in academic research and then transitioned to the tech industry, where she led a data science team focused on applied causal inference and experimentation. This experience continues to shape how she teaches and advises: She emphasizes methodological rigor alongside practical impact and enjoys helping students explore both academic and industry paths. In recent years, she has developed and taught courses that blend rigorous causal inference with practical industry applications, including a project-based class connecting students with real problems faced by data scientists and economists at leading tech firms.

At Chicago since 2023