Prof. HU Jianfeng is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from Baruch College, CUNY. His research focuses on asset pricing, capital markets, financial innovation, fintech, and quantitative finance. Notable contributions include studies on option trading's informational role, macro-news embargoes, and order flow volatility's impact on equity costs. Selected awards include the Lee Kong Chian Fellowship (2016-2017) and multiple best paper awards. He has secured research grants totaling over S$140k, including MOE Tier 1 funding for projects on order flow volatility and fiduciary duties. His work has appeared in top journals like the Journal of Financial Economics and Management Science. As a researcher and educator, HU advises students such as ZHONG Yiqiang. His research interests span strategic priorities like digital transformation and growth in Asia, reflecting Singapore's financial hub dynamics.
Bettina Nissen is a Lecturer in Interaction Design and Programme Director for Design Informatics at the University of Edinburgh's School of Design within Edinburgh College of Art. Her position bridges academic teaching and research with practical applications in data-driven design. She directs the Design Informatics MA program while maintaining an active research profile through the Institute for Design Informatics. Dr. Nissen's research interests focus on making complex technological concepts accessible through tangible means. Her expertise spans Research through Design , Data Physicalisation , Digital Fabrication , and Designing with Data . She explores how physical representations of data can enhance understanding and engagement with complex systems, particularly in contexts of trust, consent, and economic value. Her recent publications reveal a strong trajectory toward community-centered approaches to data governance and indigenous knowledge systems. The work shows increasing engagement with decolonial design methodologies, more-than-human interactions, and feminist economic perspectives on technology. A notable pattern emerges in her focus on tangible interfaces for abstract concepts like blockchain, trust, and value systems. Best paper award at CHI 2024 for "Cosmovision of data: An indigenous approach to technologies for self-determination" Dr. Nissen currently supervises three PhD students (Yifei Li, Carlos Guerrero Millan, and Yixun Li) and has secured funding from multiple prestigious sources including AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, and EU programs. Her research projects include PACTMAN (EPSRC-funded work on trust in pervasive environments), After Money (ESRC-funded collaboration with Royal Bank of Scotland), Crypto-Knitting with People's Bank of Govanhill, DCODE (EU-funded network), REPHRAIN research center, and the VisHub visualization laboratory. She actively participates in interdisciplinary research communities through the Visual+Interactive Data group and the Regulation and Design (RAD) Lab, fostering collaborations between design, technology, and policy domains.
Rui Manuel Teixeira Santos Dias is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Finance at the State University of Feira de Santana (Brazil) , affiliated with the Department of Exact Sciences. His work bridges finance, econophysics, and sustainability, focusing on market efficiency, cryptocurrency dynamics, clean energy investments, and commodity market interdependencies. Education : PhD in Management (University of Évora, Portugal), DEA in Financial Economics (University of Extremadura, Spain) Research Themes : Cryptocurrency markets, sustainable finance, portfolio optimization, oil-currency nexus, and behavioral finance His recent articles analyze multifractal efficiency in green investing, cross-market contagion, and the role of precious metals as safe havens in clean energy portfolios. Publications span journals like Fractals , PLOS ONE , and Energy Procedia , with a strong emphasis on quantitative and econophysics approaches. No explicit scientific awards are mentioned in the provided data.
Helen Armstrong serves as Professor of Graphic & Experience Design and Director of the Graduate Program in Graphic & Experience Design at North Carolina State University's College of Design. Her academic leadership spans research, publication, and industry collaboration at the intersection of design and artificial intelligence. Her educational background includes an MA in English Literature from The University of Mississippi, an MA in Publication Design from the University of Baltimore, and an MFA in Graphic Design from The Maryland Institute College of Art. Armstrong's research focuses on digital rights, human-machine teaming, and accessible design, driven by her advocacy for inclusive interfaces as a parent of a child with disabilities. She explores how designers can establish leadership in AI development through human-centered approaches, particularly in explainable AI systems and trust calibration between humans and machines. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a dominant trend toward applying design principles to artificial intelligence challenges, with increasing emphasis on visualization techniques for uncertainty representation, ethical considerations in AI, and inclusive design methodologies. Her work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industry applications across diverse domains including intelligence analysis, financial services, and assistive technologies. Scientific recognition includes: University Faculty Scholar at NC State (2018) Armstrong actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students through studio courses and research projects while securing substantial industry funding. Her sponsored research portfolio features partnerships with SAS Analytics, IBM, REI, Advance Auto Parts, Sealed Air, Fidelity Investments, and the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences. Current projects address critical challenges in human-AI teaming, including visualizing confidence scores for speaker models, knowledge transfer in wealth management, and personalized shopping experiences. She maintains deep collaboration with the NC State Laboratory for Analytic Sciences (LAS) and contributes to the K-12 Design Lab initiative, extending her expertise in inclusive design to educational outreach programs and community engagement efforts.
Dr. Efthymia Symitsi serves as Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance at Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, a position held since September 2018. Previously, she was Senior Research Associate on the TILOS Project at Norwich Business School and maintains banking sector experience from Agricultural Bank and Piraeus Bank in Greece. Her responsibilities include Deputy Director of the PhD Accounting and Finance program and Faculty Equality and Inclusion Champion. Her academic credentials comprise: PhD in Finance, University of East Anglia, UK MSc in Accounting and Finance, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece BSc in Management Science and Technology, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece Dr. Symitsi's research spans Corporate Finance, Labor Economics, Entrepreneurship, Risk Management, and Financial Technology. She pioneers the use of online employee data to analyze corporate behavior and financial markets, with notable work on employee sentiment indices for economic prediction and corporate social responsibility reporting frameworks. Analysis of her publications reveals consistent innovation in alternative data applications: employee reviews predict stock returns and bankruptcy risk, cultural factors influence service evaluations, and cryptocurrency interactions with traditional assets are quantified. Her work bridges academic rigor with real-world financial applications through media-engaged scholarship. Her scientific recognition includes: Azduna data project (£35k) as Q-step RA Placement Project Leader Best Seminar Leader Award (PG) Small Research Grant, LUBS (£4,048) Doctoral Scholarship from University of East Anglia American Finance Association Student Travel Grant Greek Ministry of Education and Athens University academic excellence scholarships Dr. Symitsi actively supervises PhD candidates including Wanji Wu, Argyro Angeli, Yuxuan Liu (Sandy), and Wen Yang. She leads research initiatives funded by LUBS and Urban Big Data Centre grants while teaching undergraduate Corporate Finance modules. Her external role as External Examiner for Manchester Business School's MSc Financial Management demonstrates sector-wide influence. She contributes significantly to the Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance and Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change, driving interdisciplinary research at the finance-employment nexus.
Dr. Quynh Do is an International Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at The Management School, Lancaster University . Her research focuses on innovative pathways towards sustainable and circular supply chains , addressing critical issues such as waste reduction, decarbonisation, worker rights, and empowerment of marginalized actors like farmers and workers. Her work explores the digital and social innovations that drive ethical sourcing and systemic change, with applications in the textile, food, and manufacturing sectors . She collaborates with organizations such as Reverse Resources, Renewcell, and the Global Fashion Agenda to promote transparent and responsible sourcing practices. 2025: Big data analytics and supply chain learning for resilience and financial performance. 2024: Circular food waste management in Italian fish manufacturing, stakeholder collaborations in fast fashion, digital platforms for waste exchange, and power dynamics in circular supply chains. 2023: Organizational resilience during the pandemic, legitimacy-seeking behaviors in circular transitions, and data-driven supply chain learning. 2022: Global value chain restructuring post-COVID, institutional adoption of circular practices in seafood, and resource mobilization via bricolage. 2021: Systematic reviews on food waste and supply chain agility during crises.
Professor Liu Hongyan is a full-time Professor in the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management, where he has served since 1994, achieving the rank of Professor in 2011 after previously holding positions as Associate Professor (2003-2011) and Teacher. His research bridges theoretical data science with practical applications across e-commerce, healthcare, and social media platforms. Education: PhD in Management, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University (2001) His research focuses on big data management , machine learning , and business intelligence with specialized expertise in personalized recommendation systems , medical/financial data analysis , and computer vision applications . Recent work integrates large language models and causal inference to solve complex problems in short video platforms, live streaming, and healthcare analytics, emphasizing real-world impact through industry collaborations. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong trajectory toward multimodal AI systems combining recommendation engines with computer vision, particularly in 3D animation for advertising and healthcare. Key trends include LLM-enhanced display advertising, emotion-aware facial animation, and medical image annotation using adversarial learning, while maintaining core contributions to behavioral data mining in social networks. Scientific recognition includes: National Archives Administration's Outstanding Scientific and Technological Achievement Award Multiple Best Paper Awards at international conferences Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Supervisor designation from the Society for Management Science and Engineering Special Award for National Natural Science Foundation project on user behavior pattern discovery Professor Liu has secured leadership roles in major National Natural Science Foundation projects including Innovation Research Groups and international cooperation initiatives. His industry impact is demonstrated through patented recommendation systems adopted by multiple companies, particularly in personalized content delivery for live streaming and short video platforms. As an Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Supervisor, he mentors the next generation of data science researchers. He serves as Deputy Director of Tsinghua University's Center for Artificial Intelligence and Management Research and holds key positions in national academic societies including the E-Commerce and Cyberspace Management Committee (China Management Modernization Research Association) and the Information Systems Engineering Committee (Chinese Society for Systems Engineering).
Zhu Yan serves as Professor at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management, Department of Management Science and Engineering. He concurrently holds leadership positions as Dean of Tsinghua's Internet Industry Research Institute, Director of the Advanced Information Technology Business Application Laboratory, and Executive Deputy Director of the Medical Management Research Center. Education: Postdoctoral Fellow (1998-2000) and Ph.D. in Nuclear Energy Technology (1994-1998) at Tsinghua University, Bachelor's in Engineering Physics (1989-1994) Professional Experience: Professor (2010-present), Associate Professor (2002-2010), Lecturer (2000-2002); Visiting Scholar at MIT Sloan, CUHK, and Lancelot Institute Professor Zhu's research spans digital transformation , industrial blockchain , and digital production relations , with emphasis on practical applications in healthcare, construction, and finance. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with industry implementation, particularly in China's digital economy evolution. Current projects focus on industrial internet integration and digital finance systems. His 15 most recent publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary focus, connecting information systems with healthcare analytics (40%), industrial digitalization (35%), and economic policy (25%). The research shows increasing emphasis on AI-driven diagnostic systems and pandemic-responsive economic strategies since 2020. Beijing Philosophy and Social Sciences Excellent Achievement Award (2020) China Petroleum and Chemical Automation Association Science and Technology Progress Award (2010) Multiple Beijing Science and Technology Progress Awards (2001, 2005) Tsinghua University Outstanding Teaching Award (1999) As academic advisor to national initiatives, Professor Zhu leads the China Technology Economics Society's Blockchain Division and serves as Chief Academic Officer for Chengdu University of Information Technology's Blockchain Industry College. His industry partnerships include SAP Global HR Advisory role since 2000 and CCTV Financial Commentary position since 2015. Current research funding focuses on digital infrastructure development through the Industrial Digital Finance Technology Application Laboratory. He directs the Advanced Information Technology Business Application Laboratory, which develops enterprise digital transformation frameworks, and co-leads the Medical Management Research Center's AI diagnostic initiatives. Current projects include national blockchain infrastructure development and pandemic-resilient supply chain systems.
Tarun Ramadorai is Professor of Financial Economics at Imperial College London, with a distinguished career spanning household finance, financial economics, behavioral economics, real estate, and international finance. He serves as Executive Editor of the Review of Financial Studies and holds prestigious fellowships including Research Fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), Senior Academic Fellow of the Asian Bureau of Finance and Economics Research (ABFER), and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). Education BA in Mathematics and Economics from Williams College MPhil in Economics from the University of Cambridge PhD in Business Economics from Harvard University Research Interests Professor Ramadorai's research spans household finance, financial economics, behavioral economics, real estate, and international finance. His work examines how households make financial decisions across different markets and countries, with particular focus on housing markets, investment behavior, and financial inclusion. He has established himself as a leading expert in international comparative household finance, having previously served as Principal Investigator on a transformational initiative financed by the Sloan Foundation to establish this sub-field of finance and economics. His recent research explores the intersection of technology and personal finance, housing market dynamics, and optimal tax policy. He has demonstrated how housing costs impact fertility decisions, how machine learning affects credit markets, and how privacy policies influence consumer data extraction. His work combines rigorous theoretical frameworks with innovative empirical approaches using large-scale datasets from diverse markets. Publication Trends Professor Ramadorai's recent publications reveal a strong focus on household decision-making in financial markets, with increasing attention to the digital transformation of finance. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical policy implications, particularly in emerging economies. There is a clear trend toward interdisciplinary research that combines finance, economics, and data science to address pressing questions about financial inclusion, housing affordability, and the impact of technology on traditional financial services. Scientific Awards Brattle prize for best paper in the Journal of Finance Jensen prize for the best paper in the Journal of Financial Economics Wharton School-WRDS Best Paper Award in Empirical Finance James A Lebenthal Excellence in Municipal Finance Research Prize FMA Napa Conference Best Paper Prize INQUIRE Europe third prize Viz Risk Management Best paper prize Policy Engagement and Advisory Roles Professor Ramadorai has made significant contributions to policy discussions worldwide. He served as Chairman of the Inter-Regulatory Committee on Household Finance constituted by the Reserve Bank of India, which produced the influential "Indian Household Finance" report. He has advised numerous institutions including the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, the European Securities and Markets Authority, and the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund. Currently, he co-chairs the Fintech workstream of the India-UK Financial Partnership, helping to shape the future of financial technology across borders. Research Initiatives Professor Ramadorai previously led the Initiative on International Comparative Household Finance, funded by the Sloan Foundation, which established household finance as a distinct sub-field of research. He is in the process of setting up a new initiative at Imperial College Business School to further advance this area of study. His work has influenced both academic research and practical policy interventions in financial markets around the world.
Marina Milovanović is a Professor at the University of Singidunum, Faculty of Informatics and Computing, Department of Mathematics. She holds dual doctoral degrees from the Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac (Department of Mathematics, 2014) and Faculty of Entrepreneurial Business, Union University (2008), along with Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade (2000-2005 and 1995-2000 respectively). Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Department of Mathematics (PhD, 2014) Faculty of Entrepreneurial Business, Union University (PhD, 2008) Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade (Master's, 2000-2005) Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade (Bachelor's, 1995-2000) Svetozar Marković High School, science and mathematics major (1991-1995) Professor Milovanović specializes in Mathematics Education and Educational Technology, with particular expertise in interactive multimedia applications for teaching mathematics. Her research consistently bridges theoretical mathematics with practical educational technology solutions, evolving from traditional multimedia approaches to incorporating cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques. She has authored multiple books including 'Interactive multimedia in mathematics teaching' (2015) and collections of solved mathematics problems for entrance exams. Her recent publication record through 2025 demonstrates active engagement in interdisciplinary research, particularly at the intersection of educational technology, artificial intelligence, and practical applications in fields ranging from software engineering to medical diagnostics. Her work shows a clear trajectory from foundational educational technology research toward more sophisticated AI-enhanced learning systems. Professor Milovanović has made significant contributions to semantic web applications in education, particularly through Moodle LMS enhancements, and has explored SCADA applications in industrial contexts. Her collaborative research spans multiple countries and institutions, reflecting an international scholarly network. She has extensive experience developing computer tools for engineering education and has published on diverse topics including petroleum industry processes, environmental management, and financial mathematics. Her work demonstrates consistent application of computational approaches to solve domain-specific problems across multiple disciplines.
Frankie Santos Laanan is Dean of the College of Education at the University of Utah, where he also holds Professorial appointments in the Departments of Education, Culture & Society and Educational Leadership & Policy. A first-generation college graduate and Pacific Islander scholar, he earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from UCLA in Political Science and Higher Education. Dr. Laanan has led institutions including the University of Guam, Iowa State University, and the University of Alabama, with a focus on expanding access for underrepresented students. Research Foci: Community college role in STEM pathways, transfer student adjustment, educational equity for first-generation/low-income/historically underrepresented students, postsecondary policy, and workforce development Funding: Over $8 million in grants from the Spencer Foundation, National Science Foundation, and USAID His scholarship has shaped understanding of transfer student capital, with foundational work on factors influencing retention and satisfaction among vertical/horizontal transfer students. Key findings highlight coursework quality, institutional support, and student-faculty interactions as critical for success. Scientific Awards: Barbara K. Townsend Early Career Scholar Award Founders' Service Award (ASHE Council on Ethnic Participation) Outstanding Faculty Award (NASPA Latino/a Knowledge Community) Summer Database Institute Fellow (National Center for Education Statistics) As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Laanan has studied PLTW curriculum impacts, CTE program accountability, and social capital intersections in STEM pathways. His translational research emphasizes student-centered leadership and policy reform.
Maximilian Schreieck is an Associate Professor for Information Systems at the Department of Information Systems, Production and Logistics Management, University of Innsbruck. He earned his PhD at Technical University of Munich (2020) and completed habilitation at University of Innsbruck (2025). Previously a DFG Walter Benjamin Fellow at Wharton School (2021-2022). Education: PhD in Information Systems, Technical University of Munich (2020) Habilitation in Information Systems, University of Innsbruck (2025) His research focuses on digital platform ecosystems, platform governance, digital platforms for social causes, and digital transformation of established companies. He has published extensively in top journals like MIS Quarterly, Information Systems Journal, and Electronic Markets. Recent publications address generative AI ecosystems, EU digital regulation impacts, cloud platform adoption, and multi-platform strategies. His work combines technical platform analysis with organizational and regulatory implications. Scientific awards include: Best Paper Award, AIS SIG Grounded Theory Methodology (2021) Paper of the Year Award, AIS SIG Electronic Markets (2020) His research has practical applications in automotive, banking, and refugee integration platforms, with collaborations at SAP, BMW, and EU policy contexts. Teaching activities include master's theses supervision and courses on digital platform management.
Michael Benzaquen is a CNRS Research Scientist and accredited research director (HDR) based at École Polytechnique, where he founded and currently holds the Chair of Econophysics & Complex Systems. He is affiliated with LadHyX (UMR CNRS 7646), a research laboratory focused on hydrodynamics and complex systems at the intersection of physics, economics, and social sciences. Dr. Benzaquen's research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields, with primary interests in: Statistical physics of complex systems Hydrodynamics at interfaces Econophysics and quantitative finance Socio-physics and behavioral modeling Applications of physics to economics and social sciences Physical approaches to market microstructure and price formation His work demonstrates a unique methodology applying physical principles to understand complex phenomena in financial markets, social dynamics, and ecological systems. Dr. Benzaquen has made significant contributions to understanding market impact, price formation, and the statistical properties of economic systems from a physics perspective, while also maintaining strong research in fundamental fluid dynamics and interfacial phenomena. Analysis of Dr. Benzaquen's extensive publication record reveals a consistent trend toward interdisciplinary integration, with recent work increasingly bridging statistical physics, econophysics, and complex systems theory to address real-world problems. His publications span from fundamental research on ship wakes, liquid crystals, and thin films to applied studies in quantitative finance, ecological economics, and social dynamics, demonstrating remarkable breadth while maintaining methodological coherence through statistical physics approaches. As an accredited research director (HDR), Dr. Benzaquen supervises PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, leading an active research group focused on econophysics and complex systems. His group maintains strong collaborations across disciplines and regularly publishes in high-impact journals spanning physics, finance, and interdisciplinary sciences. The group's work is supported by various research funding sources enabling ambitious projects at the intersection of physics and social sciences. Dr. Benzaquen's laboratory at LadHyX brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds including physics, mathematics, economics, and computer science to tackle complex problems using quantitative approaches. His research has practical applications in financial market regulation, ecological conservation, and materials science, reflecting the real-world impact of his interdisciplinary methodology.
Ludovic Phalippou is a Professor of Financial Economics at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He is a leading expert in private equity and financial markets, frequently consulted by governmental bodies such as the UK House of Lords’ Financial Regulation Select Committee. His research focuses on private credit, financial leverage, and investor protection. University: University of Oxford School: Saïd Business School Department: Financial Economics His research explores the systemic risks of private debt markets, performance measurement in private equity, and the impact of financial leverage on corporate stability. He critiques traditional metrics like IRR and emphasizes transparency in fund management. Recent publications analyze trends in private equity, venture capital, and debt markets, highlighting concerns about valuation methods, regulatory gaps, and the growing influence of non-traditional lenders like pension funds. His work underscores the need for international cooperation in financial regulation.
Arijit Chakrabarty is a Professor at the Theoretical Statistics and Mathematics Unit of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India. His research focuses on random matrix theory, heavy-tailed distributions, large deviations, and long-range dependence. He can be reached via email at arijit.isi@gmail.com. Research Interests: Random matrix theory, Heavy-tailed distributions, Large deviations, Long-range dependence, Spectral analysis, Stochastic processes Publications Trends: His 15 most recent articles span random matrix theory, large deviations, Gaussian processes, and free probability. Key topics include eigenvalue analysis in random graphs, excursion lengths in Gaussian processes, and clustering of extremes in memory regimes. Lecture Notes: He has produced educational materials on Measure Theoretic Probability, Martingale Theory, and Probability Theory, partially in collaboration with Arup Bose and Rajat Hazra. These notes are accessible online and reflect his teaching contributions.
