How long have you been at Hofstra?
Since September 1999 (14th year)

Academic specialty?
Zarb School of Business, Finance; risk management, financial derivatives, financial engineering and modeling.

Major publications/accomplishments:
Teacher of the Year in 2009 at Zarb School, Institute of Financial Markets grant for my research on algorithmic trading published in Review of Futures Markets in 2010. Journal of Portfolio Managment publication in 2012 focusing on bankruptcy (just three highlights among 12 academic refereed publications and 30+ international conference presentations).

Interesting hobbies?
Photography, International travel

Why did you go into your field?
Following my undergradute education in engineering I wanted to combine my quantitative skills as well as my interest in economics and financial markets; financial engineering and quantitative finance emerged as the best of both worlds.

Favorite campus activity:
Spending time at the Martin B. Greenberg Trading Room immersed in data and information from numerous markets around the world in front of one of our 34 Bloomberg terminals.

Why?
Hofstra's Zarb School has one of largest academic trading rooms in terms of the number of Bloomberg terminals. Using Bloomberg terminals help make my courses more relevant and cutting-edge as well as make my academic research more contemporary.

Why?
Financial Modeling courses in our Martin B. Greenberg Trading Room allows me and my students to combine knowledge in finance, quantitative and analytical skills with real-life applications as hands-on as if we are working at one of the trading floors in a global financial institution.

Why do you like to teach?
This is the course I designed which combines my passions and allows me to well prepare my students for the careers in ever complex financial markets.

Favorite thing about NY/Long Island region:
New York City is the center of the world of finance and Hofstra is a suburban campus university which combines the best of both worlds.

Favorite campus eatery:
Sandwich or salad at my desk in the Weller Hall, since I can not eat while I work with Bloomberg terminals in the trading room.

Favorite campus spot: 
Middle of the original unispan over the Hempstead turnpike at dusk looking at the horizon.

What do you hope your students learn from you?
Critical thinking while combining their quantitative, analytical and finance skills; and to  strive for professional as well as personal growth in an ethical and passionate way.

What general advice about college would you give students?
Never settle for the "good enough" and always be hungry for more knowledge and skills.

Best Hofstra memory:
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the openning of our academic trading room.

What do you take the most “Pride” in?
Being the academic director of our Martin B. Greenberg Trading Room as one of its original dreamers and designers, now its champion.

What have you found as your “Purpose”?
Being passionate about my research as well as sharing my knowledge and skills with my students, also making a difference in their professional and personal lives.