Organized by the University of Strasbourg and its doctoral school in economics, management and finance, the “Augustin Cournot Doctoral Days” conference brings together around 30 PhD students each year, from various universities around the world. The Best Paper Awards are given to the PhD students who present the best three articles at the conference. Annabelle Marxen, who works with the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Business and Economics at UNIL, won first prize!
The innovative nature of the research, the scientific value of the article and the articulacy of the presenter were the qualities the panel of judges, made up of teaching staff from the University of Strasbourg, identified during Annabelle’s presentation of her research article.
What was the article about?
Written jointly by the PhD student and her supervisor, Professor Joao Montez, the article analyzes the effects on competition of launching generic medicines on the market once the patented versions’ period of exclusivity has expired. The theoretical model they have developed shows that, contrary to expectations, increased competition between generic medicines and their previous patented versions can have the negative effect of reducing economic well-being and as a result, harming consumers.
A first for Annabelle
This was the first time the PhD student had taken part in an academic conference. Winning first prize in the Best Paper Awards made it an even more successful experience: “The prize is a brilliant incentive for my work. It confirms the interest and importance of my research and motivates me to continue along the same path,” she comments.
Originally from Luxembourg, Annabelle Marxen joined the Faculty of Business and Economics at UNIL in late 2014, to start her doctorate. Previously, she spent two years working as an economist at the Competition Commission in Luxembourg, having specialized in economics and competition law at the College of Europe in Bruges. She was awarded her Master’s in Economic Sciences by the London School of Economics and her undergraduate degree by the University of Luxembourg.
We wish her every success in the next stage of her career.