Irena Vodenska

Irena Vodenska is a Professor of Finance, Director of Finance Programs, and Chair of the Administrative Sciences Department at Boston University’s Metropolitan College. She is also affiliated with the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS). Her research focuses on network theory, complexity science, and systemic risk modeling in financial systems. She holds a PhD in Econophysics (Statistical Finance) from Boston University, an MBA from Vanderbilt University, and degrees in Computer Information Systems from the University of Belgrade.

Education: PhD in Econophysics (Boston University), MBA in Finance (Vanderbilt University), MA in Health Economics (Boston University), MS/BS in Database Management (University of Belgrade). She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.

Research interests include financial network analysis, cryptocurrency dynamics, machine learning applications in finance, and ESG investments. Her work emphasizes early warning systems for financial crises and systemic risk propagation through interconnected networks. Notable projects include modeling bank-asset networks, analyzing news sentiment impacts on markets, and blockchain applications in healthcare.

Grants include leadership on a Department of Defense grant ($18,000) and participation in a Japanese Ministry of Education grant ($240,000). She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, covering topics like systemic risk, cryptocurrency interdependencies, and pandemic socio-economic impacts. Teaching includes courses on investment management, international finance, and financial ethics.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute for Global Sustainability and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on network science and macroeconomic modeling. Leads research groups on blockchain in healthcare and AI-driven financial forecasting.