The Naveen Jindal School of Management welcomed 16 new faculty members to its roster this fall. They bring research and teaching expertise in accounting, finance, information systems, marketing, operations, supply chain and organizational management. From exploring the role of artificial intelligence in business to improving healthcare systems and understanding market behavior, these faculty members join a world-class team of academics teaching the next generation of business leaders and exploring innovative business concepts in research centers throughout the Jindal School.
Dr. Huaizhi Chen, an associate professor in the Finance Area, earned a PhD in Finance from the London School of Economics.
Chen is an empiricist who studies financial markets. His research explores how asset managers risk-manage their portfolios in practice. He also studies dividend investing, mutual fund competition, financing of local public institutions and real estate markets.
“Dallas is a great vibrant city, and UT Dallas offers a wonderful platform for research and teaching,” he said. “I’m excited to contribute to the intellectual atmosphere and the business environment of both the university and the city. I’m an amateur portrait photographer. I got into the hobby after betting with my wife that I could take photos as well as our wedding photographer.”
Jason Cirilo, an assistant professor of practice and director of professional development in Undergraduate Programs, earned an MBA from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration. Cirilo previously served as associate director of undergraduate professional development in the Jindal School’s Career Management Center.
Cirilo’s research interests center on supporting college students in developing effective job search strategies to secure internships and employment opportunities. He is particularly interested in examining how students leverage artificial intelligence tools to gain a competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic labor market.
“With over seven years of experience as a career development specialist and associate director in the Career Management Center, I have worked closely with students through individualized coaching and the design and delivery of programs focused on job search success and professional development,” he said. “I am now transitioning into the Undergraduate Programs as an assistant professor of practice and director of professional development, where I will lead the newly established professional development courses for undergraduate students.”
Wesley Durow, an associate professor of practice in the Marketing Area, earned an MS, in Integrated Marketing from Northwestern University.
His research interest lies at the intersection of brand positioning, customer experience and emerging technologies. He said he is a nerd about how great brands engage with customers — whether through smarter marketing, more personalized experiences or the use of innovative technologies that make connecting easier. The courses he teaches closely examine how smart companies understand what customers really want and then designing strategies that deliver value in meaningful ways. He is especially interested in how retail and service businesses can use data, storytelling and emerging tools like AI to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Ultimately, his goal is to equip our students to help the organizations they support grow by being more strategic, efficient and yet personal in how they engage their customers.
“After years of leading global marketing teams and shaping brand strategy across multiple industries, I felt a strong desire to share my experiences with tomorrow’s leaders,” he said. “As a first-generation college graduate, I was drawn to the Jindal School by the get-it-done approach of the students and faculty. JSOM’s commitment to actionable and experiential learning matches my belief that business education should be both rigorous and relevant. My purpose at UT Dallas is to equip future leaders with the insights, framework, and confidence to thrive not just today, but always. As someone who had never been to Texas, I moved to the metroplex straight of grad school to work on the advertising account for American Airlines, an experience that fundamentally changed how I approach brand and marketing. Over the course of my career, I have also somehow built a strong background in sports marketing and fan experience which spans NFL/MLB/NHL/NBA, F1/NASCAR/Indy Car, Premier League/Bundesliga/World Cup, multiple Olympics and college eSports.”
Dr. Naireet Ghosh, an assistant professor in the Operations and Supply Chain Management Area, earned a PhD from the London Business School.
Ghosh’s research looks at how to make healthcare systems work better for people. He builds practical models that help hospitals, clinics and policymakers improve access to care, use resources more efficiently and achieve better health outcomes. He is especially interested in solutions for settings where resources are limited, so that more communities can benefit from high-quality care. Ultimately, his goal is to address real-world healthcare challenges and provide insights that guide policy and everyday practice.
“I am excited to join one of the largest and most respected business school faculties in the world here at the Jindal School,” he said. “Its commitment to both impactful research and high-quality teaching makes it a truly vibrant academic community. I look forward to contributing to this culture of excellence, collaborating with colleagues and supporting the next generation of business leaders. It is an honor to be part of a faculty that continues to shape management scholarship and practice on a global scale.”
Dr. Junyoung Jeong, an assistant professor in the Accounting Area, earned a PhD in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
His research examines what happens when information becomes public. In his dissertation, he studied how salary disclosure can sometimes have unintended effects, such as suppressing wages. He also explored the role of online platforms in shaping these dynamics, from employees using social media or review sites to voice concerns, to the ways criminals operate on the dark web and how that activity affects financial markets. By understanding these interactions, his work aims to inform better policies, help companies make fairer and more effective decisions, and provide workers and investors with clearer, more reliable information.
“I am excited to join JSOM because of its strong reputation for research and its collaborative, supportive faculty,” he said. “During my visit, I was impressed by the vibrant environment and enjoyed conversations with faculty who share similar research interests. I look forward to engaging with both students and colleagues and contributing to the school’s community.”
Aditya Karanam, an assistant professor in the Information Systems Area, earned a PhD in Economics of Information Systems and an MS in Economics, both from The University of Texas at Austin.
His research explores the fast-evolving world of the digital economy. He is fascinated by how mobile app design, platform governance and the networked economy shape the way we live, work, and connect. Specifically, he has examined diverse facets of the digitized world, from social media sharing and user innovation to spillover effects and AI-powered pricing algorithms. His work also blends deep learning, natural language processing, and econometrics to generate insights for both academia and industry.
“The Jindal School’s reputation for impactful research, collaborative spirit and commitment to student success made the decision to join its faculty an easy one,” he said. “My journey from India to Texas, then to Singapore, and now back to Texas has given me a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and global engagement — qualities I see reflected in JSOM’s vibrant academic community. I am excited to contribute to the school’s mission, learn from my colleagues, and mentor students as they prepare to make their own mark on the world.”
Xinwei Li, an assistant professor in the Finance Area, earned a PhD in Finance (with distinction) from INSEAD.
Broadly, Li’s research seeks to understand what drives movements in asset prices over time and across assets, and how these fluctuations connect to the broader business cycle. One of his papers slices stocks into individual pieces — called dividend strips — that isolate the cash flows investors expect in different future years. By comparing how investors price short-term versus long-term pieces of the same stock, he can uncover what kinds of risks they care most about and how those risks change with economic conditions.
“What really attracted me was the department’s dedication to research and the supportive, collegial atmosphere,” he said. “Faculty are genuinely invested in each other’s success, and that’s something I deeply value. In addition, the DFW metroplex’s vibrant growth, dynamic economy and central location make it an exciting place to live and work, with excellent connectivity for both academic collaboration and personal convenience.”
Behnam Mohammadi, an assistant professor in the Marketing Area, earned a PhD in Quantitative Marketing and Management Science from Carnegie Mellon University.
His research contributes to advancing LLM technology through development of novel frameworks for LLM interpretation and decision analysis, investigation of AI creativity and safety trade-offs and creation of innovative AI-powered educational platforms.
Antonio Paes, a professor of practice in the Information Systems Area and director of the MS Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence – Cohort and Online, earned an MBA from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University.
Paes’ area of research is Artificial Intelligence and Quantum computing where he looks to merge both areas to advance our capacities and capabilities to expand intelligent systems to higher levels.
“The Jindal School is one of the top business schools in the world,” he said. “I can contribute to the school with my long tenure in the industry by bringing practical expertise. JSOM has an outstanding community that pushes us forward in the best way possible! I am happy to collaborate with anyone who share the same interests.”
Matthew (Matt) Paske, MS’10, BS’10, an associate professor of practice in the Accounting Area and assistant director of the Center for Internal Auditing Excellence, earned MS and BS degrees in Accounting from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas.
Paske’s area of expertise is in internal audit and assisting organizations to identify and manage their risks, as well as identify opportunities to enhance operational processes.
“I am very excited to join the UT Dallas family,” he said. “I graduated from UTD with both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 2008 and 2010, respectively, and was the President of the IIA Student Chapter. It is a huge honor to have the opportunity to come back and teach in this program!”
Dr. Ryan Raimi, an assistant professor in the Information Systems Area, earned a PhD in Information Systems from Virginia Tech.
Raimi studies how smart technologies— like chatbots and large language models (LLMs: tools that understand and generate human language) — can be used to support general and mental health, especially through digital platforms. He is particularly interested in how people think and make decisions, and how small changes in how information is presented can influence behavior in positive ways. Most of his work focuses on addressing health inequalities, aiming to make health support more fair and accessible for everyone. His research brings together ideas from technology, psychology, economics and medicine to find practical solutions that can improve people’s well-being.
“Joining JSOM was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made,” he said. “When on the academic job market, I was hoping to join a school that is research active, has a collegial culture and is a good fit in terms of research topics pursued by other faculty members. UTD checked all three boxes almost perfectly.”
Dr. Ricardo Vicente, a professor of instruction in the Finance Area and director of the Risk Management and Insurance Technology Concentration, earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Sherbrooke.
Vicente conducts research on how organizations can anticipate and manage risks that impact financial performance and strategic goals. His work focuses on how emerging technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics can be applied to day-by-day business challenges, from improving transparency and compliance to enhancing operational efficiency and resilience. By translating research into actionable strategies, he helps companies design risk management systems that not only protect against losses but also create opportunities for growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
“I am so happy to join the Jindal School,” he said. “I was inspired by UT Dallas’s culture of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and strong connection to industry. As the director of the Risk Management & Insurance Technology program, I am excited to help students gain the knowledge, skills and industry connections needed to thrive in a rapidly changing business world. My decision to join the faculty was driven by the opportunity to contribute to a vibrant academic community while developing impactful research that bridges theory and practice. I look forward to working alongside faculty, students, and industry partners to strengthen JSOM’s leadership in finance, risk management and emerging technologies.”
Beyond his role as a faculty member, Vicente said he is deeply committed to student success, both inside and outside the classroom.
“I believe in creating an environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, take risks and connect their learning to real-world challenges,” he said. “My professional journey has combined academic research with hands-on industry engagement, allowing me to bring practical insights into every discussion. Outside of work, I’m passionate about sports, camping and spending time with my family (wife and three kids), and my experiences living in different parts of the world have shaped my global perspective and approach to teaching.”
Dr. Sabrina Volpone, an associate professor in the Organizations, Strategy and International Management Area, earned a PhD from Temple University.
Volpone’s research uses both qualitative and quantitative methodology to develop and test theory about sociolinguistic practices in organizations. Specifically, her work on discursive practices examines how organizations use language to construct social realities that reproduce or dismantle power, identity, and cultural norms within workplaces. Then, her research on narrative practices investigates how individuals use language to manage their identities in workspaces. Whenever possible, her work uses a partnered research approach with participants so that the lived experiences of traditionally under-represented employees are highlighted in her research projects.
“I was born and raised in the Dallas area and am thrilled to return to be a part of the UT Dallas Jindal School faculty!” she said.
Dr. Chonghuan Wang, an assistant professor in the Operations and Supply Chain Management Area, earned a PhD in Civil Engineering and Computation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Wang’s research interests involve the use of data and AI algorithms to help businesses make better, more informed decisions. One main area of his research involves creating reliable and efficient experiments to test new business ideas. He uses real-world data to prove whether a new company strategy — like a new way to schedule employees or a different approach to customer service — is truly effective. This helps businesses avoid costly mistakes and ensures they invest in ideas that are proven to work. His other area of interest is generative AI. He works to make these AI models more efficient and accurate using methods with the tools from optimization and management science. He also explores how these powerful tools can be applied to solve complex problems in management.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Jindal School, a community renowned for its vibrant and passionate research culture,” Wang said. “The collaborative spirit and the faculty’s shared dedication to advancing knowledge — regardless of career stage — made UT Dallas an ideal home for my work. I look forward to contributing to this esteemed group.”
Vaidyanathan (Vaidy) Jayaraman, a professor of instruction in the Operations and Supply Chain Management Area and director of the BS in Supply Chain Management and Analytics Program.
