Hu is a Hopkins alumnus, having earned an MSE in mathematical sciences and an MA in economics in 2001, and a PhD in economics in 2003. As a graduate student, he received the Carl Christ Fellowship in 2002, as well as the Eugenio and Patricia Castillo Award to the best first- or second-year student in economics. Hu’s research interests are microeconometrics and its applications, as well as non-classical measurement error. In addition to his study at Hopkins, Hu has studied also at Michigan Statue University, Fudan Univesrity in Shanghai—from which he holds an MA in international finance—and Tsinghua University in Beijing—from which he holds a BE in management information systems.