I hold a Ph.D. in Finance from McGill University and have taught finance courses at eight universitiestwo in Canada, one in Singapore, and five in the United States. My teaching portfolio includes Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling using Excel, Options and Futures, Portfolio Theory, International Finance, Business Statistics, and Programming for Analytics.
In addition to my expertise in finance, I am proficient in several programming languages, including R, Python, SAS, and C. My first book, *Python for Finance*, written in English, received widespread recognition and led to the publication of a second edition and Chinese and Korean translations. My forthcoming book is titled *Introduction to FinTech Using Excel*.
Inspiration
I knew little about firms or the stock market when I first began studying finance. Thanks to the guidance of outstanding professors, I developed a deep understanding of finance, accounting, and economics. Today, I strive to inspire that same excitement and curiosity in my students. In the classroom, I connect theory to current events and real-world applicationsfor example, by explaining how GDP is defined and how various market indices are constructed.
Student-Centered Teaching
I am attentive to the diverse backgrounds and goals of my students. For those who struggle, I provide additional office hours and personalized support. For advanced students, I offer extended challenges through data-driven projects. One of my most effective teaching innovations has been replacing financial calculators with Excel across all finance courses. This shift not only saves time spent on calculator instruction but also allows for deeper exploration of complex topicssuch as estimating multiple IRRs or YTMswith greater clarity and flexibility. Each course includes thorough instruction on the Excel functions necessary to succeed.
Real-World Applications
To bridge theory and practice, I incorporate real-world data into my coursework. In every course, students complete three major data cases. A typical set might include:
1. Designing a tool to process mortgage loan applications,
2. Estimating the proceeds of a new bond issue, and
3. Calculating the market risk (beta) of selected stocks.
Students are guided to source data from platforms like Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, SEC filings, and Professor Kenneth French's Data Library. This hands-on experience helps them build practical skills and prepares them for careers in finance and analytics.
I enjoy watching YouTube, reading across various genres, swimming, and traveling to explore new cultures and perspectives. I also have an interest in investing, as I find it rewarding to learn about financial markets and long-term wealth building.