Dr. Ali Dadpay received his Ph.D. in economics with a focus on econometrics from the
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics
from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Sharif
University of Technology, as well as a Master of Science degree in Socio-Economic
Systems Engineering from the Institute for Management and Planning Studies in Tehran.
He is joining the Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas as an associate
professor of finance. Prior to this, he has taught in the Bill Munday School of Business
at St. Edward's University in Austin, TX. He also has served as a research scientist
with the State University of New York Research Foundation and a consultant with Eurasia
Foundation. As a visiting faculty, he has taught courses in the University of Caen
in France, the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University in Germany and the University
of Pannonia in Hungary. He is an active researcher, and his articles on multinational
markets have appeared in Eastern Economic Journal, Applied Economics Quarterly, and
Australian Economic Papers. He has also studied information content-based search criteria
for generalized distribution families. A paper based on this study has been published
by the Journal of Econometrics and an application developed for modeling air traffic
delays appeared in the Journal of Air Transport Management. Currently, he is working
on modeling techniques in reverse mortgage markets and analyzing investors' behavior
in international markets.
Why did you become a professor?
Everyone has a calling in life, mine is teaching. As a college professor, I serve
the community, prepare students to meet the demands of an evolving global economy
and continue to learn to be a better educator and scholar. Through teaching, I join
the largest fellowship there is, continuing on a path as ancient as mankind's history.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
The interaction with students, to learn from them and their quests. I enjoy seeing
them succeed in their lives and careers as well as showing them how to succeed. I
consider myself a member of their success team. It is a good feeling.
What do you hope students gain from your courses?
The skills they will need to perform their tasks and to fulfill their mission in life.
I would like them to understand learning never ends and to have an open mind for new
ideas and tools.
What did you do prior to entering academia?
I was a portfolio manager, a data analytics consultant, and a freelance columnist.
My last posting prior to starting my academic career was supervising data analysis
team as a contractor at the Office of Aviation Information, in the Department of Transportation
in Washington, DC.
What are you passionate about outside of the University?
History, aviation, arts, and books. I love participating in events to promote entrepreneurship
and follow startup scene closely.
What are your research interests?
Investment analysis, venture capital, multinational markets, and duration analysis.