Laura Ma is the associate director for China Programs at Asia Programs of the Ash Institute. She received her Ph.D. in Assyriology from Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China in 1994. She then served as an associate professor at the University for International Business and Economics in Beijing. Prior to joining Asia Programs in 2005, she worked at Harvard University’s LASPAU: Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas. Away from the office, she enjoys time with her two daughters.