Irina B. Mateus is an Associate Professor in Finance at Aalborg University Business School, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She joined Aalborg University in 2019 and remains an active researcher with a focus on corporate finance, corporate governance, and asset management. Education: PhD in Finance, specializing in Benchmark Indices, Alpha Creation, and Performance Persistence. Her research interests include: Corporate Finance (Cash Holdings, Capital Structure) Corporate Governance (Board Diversity) Asset Management (Mutual Funds Performance and Style Investments) Recent research output spans topics such as mutual fund performance persistence, climate risk reporting by pension funds, share repurchase dynamics, and VAT policy impacts on tourism. She collaborates internationally and has contributed to projects like 'Climate Risk Reporting by Pension Funds: International Evidence' funded by Denmark's Independent Research Fund. Scientific awards and specific student details are not explicitly listed in her profile.
Professor Barbara Casu is the Deputy Dean, Faculty and Research at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), part of City, University of London. She holds the academic rank of Professor of Banking and Finance and serves as Head of the Faculty of Finance. Her research expertise spans systemic risk, banking strategies, financial regulation, and gender diversity in finance. She leads the prestigious Centre for Banking Research and collaborates with global institutions like the IMF, European Commission, and SWIFT Institute. Professor Casu’s leadership focuses on fostering research excellence, attracting top talent, and enhancing academic environments. Her contributions were highlighted in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), where Bayes ranked 5th in the UK for research quality. She advocates for policies that balance financial stability with innovation, particularly in post-pandemic contexts. In her role as Deputy Dean, she emphasizes resource allocation, peer support, and creating an optimal environment for researchers. Her academic leadership includes overseeing faculty development and strategic initiatives. Notable contributions include authoring the globally recognized Introduction to Banking (Pearson FT) and organizing major finance events such as the annual Mais Lecture. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical policy implications, addressing challenges like banking sector sustainability, digital transformation, and regulatory reforms across Europe, MENA, and African regions. Professor Casu’s research portfolio includes groundbreaking studies on bank business models, liquidity management, and the impact of gender diversity on misconduct. She has published extensively on systemic risk, shadow banking, and post-crisis banking reforms. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses both macroeconomic and micro-level financial dynamics, influencing both academic discourse and industry practices.
Bang Nam Jeon is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. His research focuses on international economics, financial economics, global banking, and Asian economies, with a strong emphasis on macroprudential policy, bank risk, and financial stability in emerging markets. He has published extensively in top-tier journals and presented at numerous international conferences. His research interests include: International and comparative banking Financial regulation and macroprudential policy Monetary policy transmission Financial contagion and systemic risk Economic uncertainty and financial stability Foreign direct investment and trade linkages in Asia His recent publications show a consistent focus on the interplay between macroeconomic conditions, regulatory frameworks, and bank risk behavior, particularly in China and other emerging Asian economies. He frequently employs empirical and panel data methods to analyze bank-level data. His work contributes significantly to understanding financial stability in developing economies amid global shocks such as the 2008 crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific awards and honors include: Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award (2020) Service and Appreciation Awards from the Korea-America Economic Association Peter G. Stercho Memorial Research and Service Award (2005) Excellence in Teaching Award (2003) University Research Scholar Award (1990–1991) The Henry M. Oliver Memorial Award (1987) Jeon has advised numerous researchers and co-authored extensively with scholars like Ji Wu, Minghua Chen, and Qiaoling Kang. He has received research funding and institutional support, evidenced by his visiting positions and co-directorship of executive training programs. He has held leadership roles including President of the Korea-America Economic Association (2013) and has served on advisory boards for journals such as Journal of Economic Integration and Panoeconomicus . He has also been a visiting scholar at institutions in Hong Kong, Korea, China, and Romania, indicating strong international collaboration. He is actively involved in research dissemination through working papers, conference presentations, and editorial roles, including Guest Editor for the International Finance Review . His research program is well-established, continuously funded, and highly productive, with publications extending into 2025.
Andras Danis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the Central European University (CEU). He previously held an Associate Professor position at Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business. He earned a PhD in 2012 from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business and a Diplom in Social and Economic Sciences from the University of Vienna (2007). His research focuses on corporate finance topics such as credit derivatives, capital structure, shareholder activism, and labor policies. He teaches finance across bachelor's, master's, executive, and PhD programs. His notable awards include the Jensen Prize (2014) for his work on capital structure. Research interests include the effects of right-to-work laws on labor relations and corporate investment behavior influenced by credit markets. His work has been cited in the U.S. Economic Report of the President (2022) and covered by major media outlets like CNN Money and Reuters. Recent research themes involve inflation prediction using wait time metrics, corporate governance through voting rights decoupling, and the role of credit default swaps in firm interventions. He collaborates with institutions like SSRN and Google Scholar, maintaining active profiles for his publications.
Dr. David Bell is a Scientist at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) within the Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences and Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry . Since 2017, he has conducted research on aerosol formation and aging processes, particularly focusing on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from biomass burning and complex combustion sources. He transitioned to a Tenure Track position at PSI in 2021. Education : B.Sc. in Chemistry and Mathematics from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2008); Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Utah (2013); Postdoctoral Researcher at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (2013-2017). His research systematically investigates aerosol source profiles using atmospheric simulation chambers and real-time chemical composition analysis. Key areas include secondary organic aerosol formation , oxidative potential of combustion aerosols , and humidity effects on aerosol behavior . He employs advanced instrumentation like extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI-TOF) for molecular-level insights. The 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) highlight his work on biomass burning emissions , α-pinene oxidation , NO3 radical impacts , and instrument development for aerosol analysis. His studies emphasize the interplay between inorganic-organic interactions (e.g., ammonia effects) and climate-relevant processes (e.g., cloud formation).
Assoc. Prof. Meltem Gürünlü serves as a faculty member and department head of the Department of International Trade and Finance (Eng.). She has conducted Erasmus teaching mobility at the University of Split, Croatia (May 2023), delivering a seminar on legislative-environment interactions and strengthening academic ties. Her research focuses on corporate finance, behavioral finance, sustainability, and emerging markets, with particular attention to digital transformation, corporate governance, and fintech innovations. Recent work explores topics like cryptocurrency ecosystems, green bonds, and the future of financial systems. Her academic contributions span over 40 publications since 2007, addressing themes such as capital structure dynamics, foreign ownership impacts, and the role of technology in finance. Key areas include analyzing business groups' financial behaviors, evaluating earnings management practices, and investigating investor perceptions of sustainability initiatives. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical evidence, often using Turkish market data (e.g., Borsa Istanbul). Notably, Prof. Gürünlü’s research highlights interdisciplinary intersections—e.g., blockchain’s governance implications, renewable energy financing challenges, and the ethical dimensions of AI in finance. Her scholarship emphasizes practical policy recommendations for regulatory frameworks and corporate strategies in evolving financial landscapes.
Professor Di Luo holds dual roles as a Visiting Professor at the University of Southampton's Southampton Business School and as Professor (Chair) of Finance and Economics at the University of Dundee's Business School. He is also the Associate Dean of People & Culture at Dundee and serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Sustainable Finance and Investment . His research focuses on asset pricing, behavioral finance, ESG, and Fintech, with recent projects addressing sustainability, ambiguity in financial markets, and cryptocurrency mechanisms. Di completed his PhD in Finance at Nottingham University Business School, alongside a MSc and BSc in Finance from Nankai University, China. He has published extensively in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Banking & Finance and European Financial Management . His teaching experience includes leading modules on portfolio management and derivatives at the University of Southampton, where he also earned HEA Fellowship and PGCAP qualifications. Di supervises MSc and PhD students at Southampton Business School, including current PhD candidate Xiaohan Yu. He has held roles such as MSc Risk and Finance Programme Leader and EDI Champion for the South Coast Doctoral Training Program. His external engagement includes speaking at the 2022 Frontiers of Development Conference.
Serena Ng is the Edwin W. Rickert Professor of Economics at Columbia University and an Affiliated Faculty member in the Department of Statistics. Her research spans econometrics, empirical macroeconomics, time series analysis, and big data methods, with a focus on factor models, missing data, and macroeconomic forecasting. She has developed influential datasets such as FRED-MD and FRED-QD, widely used in macroeconomic research. Her research interests include: High-dimensional econometric modeling Factor analysis and principal components Missing data and matrix completion Dynamic modeling of disasters and climate shocks Macroeconomic forecasting and nowcasting Structural vector autoregressions and DSGE identification Her recent publications (2021–2025) reflect a strong trend toward integrating machine learning and computational methods into econometric modeling, particularly in handling large datasets, imputing missing values, and analyzing the macroeconomic impact of climate and disaster shocks. She has also contributed to foundational work in uncertainty measurement and time-varying parameter models. Her scientific contributions are recognized through extensive publication in leading journals. While no specific awards are listed, her editorial and collaborative roles (e.g., with the Journal of Econometrics) indicate high standing in the profession. She advises doctoral students in economics and statistics, though no names are publicly listed. She has received funding from major institutions including the National Science Foundation and NIH for interdisciplinary research. Her work bridges econometrics with environmental and health economics, particularly in projects related to climate adaptation and disaster impacts. She maintains a laboratory-like research group focused on macroeconometric modeling and big data analysis, contributing to the development of tools for real-time economic monitoring and policy analysis.
Susan J. Smith is an Honorary Professor of Geography at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the Department of Geography within the School of the Physical Sciences. She has held prestigious academic and leadership roles, including Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge since 2009, and previously served as Professor of Geography at Durham University and Ogilvie Professor of Geography at the University of Edinburgh. Her career spans over three decades of research, teaching, and public engagement in social and economic geography. D.Phil., Faculty of Anthropology and Geography, Nuffield College, Oxford University B.A., M.A. in Geography, St Anne’s College, Oxford University Her research focuses on inequality, particularly in the context of housing, mortgage markets, health, and fear of crime. She has led numerous research projects funded by bodies such as the ESRC, Leverhulme Trust, and Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Her work bridges academic inquiry with public impact, including innovative projects using theatre to communicate research on austerity. Recent collaborations include ARC-funded research on homeownership transitions with scholars from Curtin and RMIT Universities. Professor Smith's recent publications reveal a sustained focus on the financialization of housing, the dynamics of homeownership, and the links between housing wealth, debt, and wellbeing. Her work critically examines neoliberal housing policies, the ethics of care in markets, and the socio-spatial consequences of financial innovation in housing economies. She frequently publishes in top journals such as Environment and Planning A , Urban Studies , and Housing Studies . Her major scientific awards include: Victoria Medal (2014) from the Royal Geographical Society Murchison Award (1998) from the RGS-IBG Fellow of the British Academy (2008–present) Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) Tanner Lecturer at Clare Hall, Cambridge (2010) Julian Minghi Outstanding Research Award (2009) Susan Smith has supervised PhD students in social and economic geography, particularly on topics related to housing, mortgage markets, and financial innovation. She has also contributed to research strategy and assessment, serving on panels for the ESRC, HEFCE, and Leverhulme Trust. Her leadership extends to editorial roles in major reference works such as the International Encyclopedia of Housing and Home and the SAGE Handbook of Social Geographies . She leads and collaborates on interdisciplinary research teams, including partnerships with theatre companies to dramatize research findings. Her current project, 'The Great Austerity Debate,' funded by an impact acceleration grant, exemplifies her commitment to public engagement and knowledge exchange.
Frank Keutsch is the Stonington Professor of Engineering and Atmospheric Science in the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. He holds a joint appointment in both departments and is also a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich's Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS), where he collaborates with Prof. Jia Chen on air pollution and climate research since 2021. Dr. Keutsch received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of California Berkeley and his Diplom in Chemistry from TU Munich. His academic journey bridges European and American institutions, reflecting his international research perspective and expertise in both fundamental chemistry and applied environmental science. Professor Keutsch's research focuses on understanding atmospheric chemical processes, particularly those related to air quality and climate change. His work combines laboratory experiments, field observations, and modeling to investigate fundamental mechanisms of anthropogenic influence on atmospheric composition. He specializes in photochemical oxidation processes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that produce tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOA), which affect human health and climate. His research spans from urban areas to remote tropical forests, from tropical oceans to polar regions, addressing critical environmental challenges across diverse spatial and temporal scales. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on air pollution monitoring, climate intervention strategies, and the development of novel measurement techniques. The research shows an increasing integration of machine learning approaches with traditional atmospheric science methods, as well as a growing emphasis on global applications of pollution monitoring technologies and the health impacts of atmospheric pollutants. 2015, LFUI Guest Professorship 2014, Vilas Mid-Career Investigator Award 2013, Vilas Associate Award 2012, Honored Instructor Award 2006, Camille and Henry Dreyfus Award Postdoctoral Program in Environmental Chemistry 2005, Camille and Henry Dreyfus New Faculty Award Hans Fischer Senior Fellowship (2021) As an active mentor, Professor Keutsch is accepting graduate students into his research group. His laboratory develops cutting-edge instrumentation for atmospheric measurements, including the FILIF (Formaldehyde Instrument using Laser-Induced Fluorescence), CHOCHO LIP (Laser-Induced Phosphorescence), EDB-MS (Electrodynamic Balance Mass Spectrometry), and DPOPS systems. These instruments have been deployed in numerous field campaigns across diverse environments worldwide, from forests in Michigan and Colorado to the Amazon rainforest and even Antarctica. His group's work on stratospheric aerosols, particularly related to climate intervention strategies, has gained significant attention in the scientific community.
Gerald Steiner is a full professor of organizational communication and innovation, dean of the Faculty of Business and Globalization, and chair of the Department for Knowledge and Communication Management at Danube University Krems in Austria. He is also a member of the Associate Faculty at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna since 2018, reflecting his deep engagement with systems and complexity science. His academic journey includes a PhD in management studies and social sciences from the University of Graz and a BSc in mechanical engineering, with training at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Oklahoma. His education includes: PhD in Management Studies and Social Sciences (Organizational and Innovation Management), University of Graz Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Austria Training at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and University of Oklahoma at Norman Gerald Steiner's research is rooted in systemic and sustainability management, guided by a complexity science framework. His work explores sustainability-oriented innovation systems, knowledge integration, transdisciplinarity, and stakeholder collaboration. He investigates competences for solving complex problems and sustainable entrepreneurship, with recent focus on sustainable resource management, particularly the phosphorus supply chain and phosphate rock mining. His research emphasizes collaborative, science-practice co-creation and digital transformation in innovation systems. The recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, bridging sustainability science, public health, mineral economics, and digital entrepreneurship. Articles frequently address systemic challenges during crises (e.g., COVID-19), transdisciplinary modeling, and resource security. Keywords span environmental science, behavioral science, policy, and systems thinking, indicating a holistic, integrative research approach. Scientific awards are not explicitly listed in the provided text. Gerald Steiner actively mentors students and early-career researchers, as evidenced by co-authorships with individuals such as L. Satalkina, L. Zenk, and J. Weitzer. He co-directs the PhD program in migration studies, indicating leadership in graduate education. While specific grants are not mentioned, his involvement in transdisciplinary labs and high-impact publications suggests successful funding acquisition. His work often involves international collaboration, especially with institutions in the D-A-CH region and the United States. He has co-founded four transdisciplinary labs at Danube University Krems: the Transdisciplinarity Laboratory Sustainable Digital Environments, the Transdisciplinary Laboratory for Sustainable Mineral Resources, GovLab Austria, and the Biodiversity Hub. These labs serve as platforms for integrating science, policy, and practice in sustainability transitions.
Irena Vodenska is Professor of Finance and Director of Finance Programs at Boston University’s Metropolitan College, Department of Administrative Sciences. She holds a PhD in statistical finance and an MA in economics from Boston University, an MBA from Vanderbilt University, and a BS in computer information systems from the University of Belgrade. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. Her research is at the intersection of finance, complexity science, and artificial intelligence, focusing on systemic risk modeling, ESG investments, and financial network dynamics. She has led major interdisciplinary research projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the European Commission, and the U.S. Army Research Office. PhD, Statistical Finance – Boston University MA, Economics – Boston University MBA – Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University BS, Computer Information Systems – University of Belgrade Dr. Vodenska’s research interests include network theory in finance, systemic risk propagation, AI-powered ESG analysis, cryptocurrency price forecasting, and financial regulation. She employs big data, machine learning, and natural language processing to analyze financial news, market dynamics, and corporate sustainability. Her work investigates how climate disinformation spreads via social networks and influences public policy and governance. The recent articles highlight a consistent focus on modeling financial and economic systems using network science and AI. Trends include systemic stress testing, sentiment analysis in financial markets, cascading failures, and the interplay between macroeconomic indicators and financial networks. Her work spans econophysics, behavioral finance, public health economics, and ethical AI in fintech. National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant (2023) NSF EAGER Award (2014–2015) European Commission FET Open Grant (2012–2014) U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) Grant (2020–2021) MEXT Post-K Computer Grant, Japan (2016–2019) Alexander Hamilton Fulbright Fellowship (1994) Owen Graduate School Fellowship (1995–1996) Dr. Vodenska teaches core finance courses such as Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, Derivatives Securities, and Financial Regulation and Ethics. She co-developed the MET AD 678 course with Professor Tamar Frankel from BU Law, emphasizing real-world case studies and ethical decision-making. Her research grants have supported innovative work in systemic risk modeling, AI for ESG, and financial network stability. She is actively involved in mentoring, conference organization, and editorial roles in leading journals. She is a key organizer of the International School and Conference on Network Science (NetSci) and the Big Data in Economics, Science, and Technology (BEST) Conference. Her lab and research team focus on complexity in financial systems, bringing together economists, physicists, computer scientists, and data analysts to study global financial stability and sustainability.
Dr. Ling Yue is a Senior Lecturer in Finance at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, specializing in Financial Markets and Analytics, Financial Technology, and AI in Higher Education. She holds a Ph.D. in Finance from INSEAD and has taught at NUS, Curtin University, and contributed to educational initiatives at INSEAD. Her research focuses on banking, investment strategies, and leveraging technology in education. Dr. Yue has received prestigious awards, including the NUS Business School Teaching Excellence Award (2023, 2025) and the NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Award (2024). Research Interests: Dr. Yue’s work spans Financial Technology, Corporate Governance, and AI-driven educational tools. She has published extensively on topics like market timing, corporate finance strategies, and biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to finance and healthcare intersections. Teaching & Grants: She leads the Learning Community Project on AI Teaching Assistants (NUS Teaching Enhancement Grant 2023/24). Notable courses include Machine Learning in Investments and Financial Risk Management. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes innovation and student empowerment. Publications Overview: Her recent articles address corporate delisting decisions, climate finance, and retail trading dynamics. Earlier works explore biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment, showcasing her dual focus on finance and biomedical research.
Thomas Snyder is a Professor of Economics at the University of Central Arkansas's College of Business. His research spans labor economics, entrepreneurship, public policy, and international finance. Key areas include occupational licensing, minority business success, charter school impacts, and regulatory effects on economic activity. Research Trends: His work analyzes how policy frameworks shape labor markets, entrepreneurship, and educational outcomes. Recent studies focus on migration, DACA recipients' economic integration, and moral hazard in international lending. Publications: A prolific scholar, Snyder has published extensively on topics such as natural resource economics, charter schools, and state-level licensing regulations, with a geographic emphasis on Arkansas and China.
Dr. Sotirios Varelas is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Tourism Studies of the University of Piraeus specializing in Hospitality Business and Tourism Organization Strategy. He holds a PhD from the Department of Organization and Business Administration of the School of Economics, Business and International Studies of the University of Piraeus, an MBA-TQM in Business Administration, and graduated from the Department of Statistics and Insurance Science. With over 12 years of professional experience as a scientific consultant in tourism organizations, Dr. Varelas has served at the Ministry of Tourism, the Hellenic Tourism Organization, and the Peloponnese Region. He has collaborated with numerous research centers including the Institute of Regional Development, ELKE of the University of Peloponnese, and the Research Center of the University of Piraeus. His research focuses on strategic management in tourism, digital tourism innovations, sustainable tourism practices, and big data applications in the tourism sector. He has published extensively in international journals on topics including blockchain technology in tourism, virtual immersive platforms, artificial intelligence applications, and strategic management during economic crises. Dr. Varelas teaches various courses including Introduction to Tourism, International Economics and Tourism Market, Tourism Development Strategies, Strategic Management of Tourism Businesses, and Contemporary Tourism Issues at the University of Piraeus. He also serves as the student internship coordinator and academic advisor coordinator for the Department of Tourism Studies. As an active leader in the tourism academic community, he is President of the Board of Directors of the Greek Branch of the World Organization for Technology in Tourism and Travel (IFITT) and has created and coordinated postgraduate programs in tourism business administration.
