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The Leavey School of Business welcomes six tenure-track faculty this fall in the areas of accounting, economics, information systems and analytics, management and entrepreneurship, and marketing. The school’s collaborative and collegial environment, as well as its Silicon Valley location appealed to each of the new assistant professors. 

Accounting

Qiru (Vincent) Zhang, Assistant Professor 

The strong bond between Leavey’s students and faculty drew Vincent (Qiru) Zhang to Santa Clara. “Both students and faculty were actively engaged in the faculty hiring process, and this commitment shows the school’s dedication to student welfare, prioritizing their needs even before a faculty member’s onboarding,” says Zhang.

Zhang, an assistant professor of accounting, is interested in empirical-archival financial accounting research. “Vincent's research focuses on how accounting information helps investors make decisions in the municipal bond markets,” says Siqi Li, professor of accounting and department chair. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be invaluable to our students and university community.” 

Zhang’s papers also examine the impact of regulatory changes and accounting standard changes. Prior to joining academia, he worked as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Shenzhen, China. “Having worked as an auditor, Vincent is excited to bring his industry experience to the classroom,” says Li.

Outside of the classroom, Zhang is a “big fan of road trips.” He started his explorations when he was a PhD student at Duke University in North Carolina, where he earned his degree this year. “During that time, exploring nearby national parks was an ideal way to take a break from the demands of academic life,” he says. Among the East Coast destinations he visited are the Great Smoky Mountains, the Shenandoah National Park, and the New River Gorge National Park. “With my move to the West Coast, I am looking forward to discovering more of its remarkable national parks.”

In addition to his PhD in accounting, Zhang earned his bachelor’s degree in management (accounting) from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in China. He is an affiliate member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a Chartered Financial Analyst Charterholder, and a Global Reporting Initiative-certified sustainability professional.

Economics

Jianlin Wang, Assistant Professor 

Like Zhang, Jianlin Wang finds Leavey’s faculty to be both “supportive and collaborative colleagues with an outstanding reputation for academic excellence.” He also notes that Santa Clara’s “unbeatable” location is an added bonus.
  
Wang’s research covers international economics, finance, and macroeconomics. His current research studies the internal capital markets of multinational enterprises and global banks, as well as the impact of uncertainty shocks on firms, their shareholders, and their creditors. He also is investigating the anti-competitive effect of input tariff liberalization in an ongoing project collaborating with officials in Colombia. His recent work on the heightened uncertainty induced by the U.S.-China trade war has been featured on the Dallas Fed blog and will be presented in the upcoming Stanford SITE conference on the Macroeconomics of Uncertainty and Volatility. 

Wang’s work on the business complexity and operational risk of U.S. bank holding companies has been published in the Journal of Monetary Economics. He also is actively pursuing a diverse, but synergistic, portfolio of research topics, including the impact of climate policy risk, the role of corporate ownership in the exchange rate pass-through, and estimating the effect of fiscal policy using stock market reactions during WWII.

“Dr. Wang is doing cutting-edge research that is policy relevant,” says John Ifcher, chair and associate professor of economics. “For example, he is studying the capital structure of financial  and non-financial firms. He also is studying trade liberalization and the decoupling of global activities. Jianlin's research nicely complements the research of other economics faculty.” 

In addition to his research, Wang is also passionate about teaching economics and finance. He has taught undergraduate and MBA students during his PhD study in economics at the University of California, Berkeley, earning the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award. Before his PhD study, Wang has worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on monetary economics and international economics. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a double major in economics and mathematics.

Outside of his work, Wang enjoys hiking and board gaming. He also relishes reading a rich variety of topics in history and philosophy. He currently is reading Robert Kurvitz’s novel, Sacred and Terrible Air, with the English translation made possible by fans due to their deep love for the Elysium world.

Information Systems and Analytics
The faculty of the information systems and analytics department are welcoming two assistant professors this year: Jingbo Hou and Maggie (Ying) Zhang.

Jingbo Hou, Assistant Professor 

Like the other new faculty, Jingbo Hou, assistant professor of ISA, says he was drawn to the Leavey School because of its reputation for fostering innovative thinking and a collaborative learning environment. “The school's commitment to academic excellence resonated with my own values and aspirations,” says Hou. “Additionally, the diverse and accomplished community here was a significant factor in my decision.”

Hou, who earned his PhD in management information systems from Arizona State University in May, conducts research on digital platforms, digital media, information and communication technology, the future of work, economics of AI/ML, and crowdsourcing contests like Kaggle coding competitions or 99design logo contests. He currently has several papers in the advanced review stage with premier journals, including Management Science, Information Systems Research, and Production and Operations Management. 

“Jingbo Hou's unique perspective promises to invigorate our academic discourse and contribute significantly to our institution's academic and societal contributions,” says ISA Department Chair Professor Haibing Lu.

Of his ambitions at Leavey, Hou says, “My primary goal is to contribute to the school’s academic community by sharing my expertise in conducting IS-related research,” says Hou. “I am excited to engage with colleagues in meaningful research and discussions that push the boundaries of knowledge in the field. Through this collaboration, I aim to facilitate impactful initiatives that benefit both the school and the broader business community.”

The faculty are looking forward to working with Hou as well. “Dr. Hou's research and experience present a compelling case for his seamless integration into our faculty,” says Lu. “The innovative dimensions he brings to investigating online market designs and their impact on diverse platforms, coupled with his examination of the broader societal impacts of information technologies, resonates deeply with our commitment to fostering relevant and impactful research. His potential to unravel practical insights from complex digital phenomena adds a significant layer of value to our faculty, making him a promising and distinguished addition to our team.”

Outside of his professional pursuits, Hou describes himself as a nature enthusiast who enjoys exploring new trails and experiencing the outdoors to recharge and find inspiration. He also enjoys watching non-fiction films, particularly those that delve into physics, psychology, economics, social issues, and emerging trends in business.

Ying (Maggie) Zhang, Assistant Professor 

“The Leavey School of Business is embracing the culture of Silicon Valley – innovation and energy,” says Maggie (Ying) Zhang, assistant professor of information systems and analytics (ISA). “The school is supporting innovations in teaching as well as cutting-edge research, and this culture welcomes the type of research I am exploring.”

Zhang’s research interests include socially responsible operations, sustainable operations, and emerging market operations. Her current work focuses on agricultural operations and DEI in operations. Her research on agricultural operations studies the application of scientific farming methods and innovative agri-business models to improve agricultural productivity, farmers' welfare and social welfare. Her research on DEI explores the implication of inclusiveness such as disability diversity on firm productivity. Her work has won Honorable Mention in the JOM 2021 Jack Meredith Best Paper Award. Her research has appeared in top journals such as Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Production and Operations Management, and Journal of Operations Management.

Zhang says she hopes to “build solid collaborations with colleagues in the school, as well as companies in the Bay area that focus on the same business practices as my research.”

“Dr. Zhang's profound engagement with socially responsible operations underscores her commitment to instigating positive societal change through academic pursuits,” says Lu. “Her expertise in sustainable operations and emerging markets resonates deeply with our institution's emphasis on global relevance and innovation. Plus, her dedication to DEI issues within operational contexts further strengthens her resonance with our institution's values.”

Inside the classroom, Zhang says, “I would like to build an image of both effective and passionate teaching, as well as providing great classroom experience and care for students. So that the students would find satisfactory learning experience as well as competent skills for the job market. In addition to the current curriculum, I would also like to develop courses on topics related to social responsibility.”

Prior to joining the Leavey School, Zhang was an assistant professor of management at Clemson University’s College of Business. She earned her PhD in Operations from Kenan-Flagler Business School, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in 2018 and her bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

In her spare time, Zhang enjoys doing aerial yoga, cooking and baking, and attending Broadway musicals. She also likes traveling and hiking, especially places near beaches, rivers or with waterfalls.

Management & Entrepreneurship

Ewan Kingston, Assistant Professor 

“In many schools, I might be working as the lone business ethicist,” says Ewan Kingston, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship. “At the Leavey School, I will be part of a team that has been undertaking very high quality research and teaching in the field.”

Kingston, who earned his PhD in 2019 from Duke University, specializes in the ethics and governance of sustainability. He is currently investigating three topics:

• How can regulators of high-tech industries balance the need for expertise from business with the requirement to remain neutral and serve the public interest?
• How should conscientious individuals engage with industries whose core business appears undesirable (e.g. fossil fuels)?
• How might a fair and effective intellectual property regime respond to the need for innovation to solve the challenges of global climate change?

“Dr. Kingston brings a deep philosophical background to help students consider how to apply ethical perspectives to critical issues of the day, especially regarding the environment,” says Barry Posner, department chair and Accolti Professor of Leadership. “We're excited about the creative pedagogical strategies he brings to the classroom.”

His work has been published in journals such as Business Ethics Quarterly and Ethical Theory & Moral Practice, and can be found on his research website.

“I hope to develop my own distinctive approach to teaching business ethics, develop courses around business and sustainability, and collaborate with colleagues on research on climate policy and governance,” says Kingston. 

Kingston teaches multiple topics in ethics, philosophy, and environmental studies using innovative techniques such as backwards course design, role-playing, and alternative grading. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate in Princeton’s Climate Futures Initiative and as an assistant professor at the College of Charleston. 

His hobbies include DJing, and bass guitar. “I'm trying to build a varied enough music collection so that I can play a set in almost any genre,” Kingston says. A self-described fan of the outdoors, he enjoys paddle boarding and is looking forward to exploring the Bay Area and beyond.

Marketing

Jangwon Choi, Assistant Professor 

“Everyone at the Leavey School seems to be genuinely kind and helpful with everyone’s best interests at heart,” says Jangwon Choi, assistant professor of marketing. “I feel like I am able to freely bounce any new research ideas off them as well as go out for lunch to have fun.”

In addition to the people, Leavey’s proximity to Silicon Valley also attracted Choi. “My primary research domain is digital marketing using empirical data, and Leavey's location at the heart of Silicon Valley means easier access to many tech companies that could become potential collaborators. I am hoping to produce impactful research that will change how businesses approach and interact with consumers in the digital realm,” he says.

Department Chair and Professor of Marketing Desmond Lo says, “Dr. Choi’s research interests include 1) modeling the implications of marketing interventions – specifically in the digital realm such as promotions of digital content and online advertising – focusing on their temporal components, and 2) generating prescriptive guidance for optimizing and/or customizing them. 

“Professor Choi's expertise will strengthen our faculty's capability in quantitative marketing,” continues Lo. “He uses various statistical and econometric models and techniques such as Bayesian nonparametric and Natural Language Processing for both research streams.”

In addition to his research, Choi is looking forward to teaching Principles of Marketing to undergraduates. “I am excited about meeting new students and showing them that marketing is much more than creating catchy ad messages and TikTok videos. What they see as end consumers is just the tip of the iceberg, and a lot of analytical thinking and data analyses went into it!”

Before joining Leavey, Choi received a PhD in business administration this year from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and an MS in Statistics from the University of Chicago and BBA, BA in economics, and BS in statistics from Seoul National University.

As someone who enjoys weekly 30-60-minute runs, students and colleagues may see Choi running around the campus at some point, perhaps listening to Indie Pop artists AJR or rapper NF. He’s looking forward to the mild Santa Clara climate after coming from the harsh Michigan winters.