Hui Zhu – Financial Management – Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr. Hui Zhu  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Financial Management. She has extensive academic experience in the field of finance. She currently serves as an Associate Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Business and IT at Ontario Tech University in Canada, a position she has held since 2018, where she also attained tenure. Prior to this role, she served as an Assistant Professor of Finance on a tenure-track basis from 2014 to 2018 at the same institution. Additionally, she has contributed to the academic community as an Adjunct Professor at the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa from 2018 to 2021 and as an Assistant Professor of Finance on a tenure-track basis at the Shannon School of Business at Cape Breton University from 2012 to 2014. Her dedication to teaching and research underscores her commitment to the field of finance.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, Canada, which she completed in 2010. Prior to this, she earned an M.A. in Economics from the University of Victoria in Victoria, BC, Canada, in 2005. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North China Electric Power University in China, which she completed in 1991. Through her diverse educational background, she has equipped herself with a strong foundation in economics and computer science, contributing to her interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Fixed Income Securities, Initial Public Offerings, Corporate Innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility,
International Finance

CREDENTIALS

She has acquired several credentials and certifications to enhance her teaching and professional skills. These include completing the Online Income Tax Planning Refresher for Corporate Tax course offered by Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) in Canada in 2017. Furthermore, she earned The Certificate in University Teaching from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Ontario, Canada, also in 2017. Her commitment to teaching excellence is further demonstrated through her participation in programs such as the Teaching Squares Program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2016, and her receipt of a Faculty Teaching Certificate from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, in 2010. Prior to this, she completed the Instructional Skills Workshop at the University of Calgary in 2009 and the Course Design and Teaching Workshop at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, Canada, also in 2009. These credentials underscore her dedication to pedagogical development and excellence in teaching practices.

🔍RESEARCH EXPERIENCE🔍

She has secured various research funding grants to support her academic endeavors and scholarly pursuits. Notably, she served as the Principal Investigator for the Building EDI Knowledge in Research grant at Ontario Tech University, receiving $4,500 to conduct research on EDI conference in Labour and Gender Economics in 2023-2024. Additionally, she was awarded a Visiting Scholar Grant from Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria, amounting to Euro 2646.96, to investigate Board Characteristics, CSR Controversies, and Firm Value during the same period.

Furthermore, she has been the recipient of grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), including an Insight Development Grant totaling $54,182 for the project titled “Pension Deficits and Financial Distress in an Innovative Environment” from 2018 to 2023. Other SSHRC grants she has obtained include the SSHRC Small Grants Program 2023 – Explore Stream at Ontario Tech University ($7,000) and SSHRC Small Partnership Grant ($13,912) in June 2017-March 2018.

She has also received research funding from various institutions to support her work, including the FBIT Summer Research Support ($1,000) at Ontario Tech University in May 2016 – August 2016, and Research Policy Grant at Cape Breton University ($16,000) from 2012 to 2014, among others. These grants reflect her success in securing financial support for her research endeavors, highlighting her contributions to the academic community.

CONFERENCES🎓🌐

She has presented her research findings at numerous prestigious conferences worldwide, showcasing her expertise and contributions to the field of finance. Noteworthy presentations include her investigation into the influence of firms’ purchase obligations on their choice of debt structure at the Southwestern Finance Association annual conference (SWFA) in 2024, and her exploration of the impact of firm life cycle on bond ratings and yields at the European Financial Management Association annual conference (EFMA) in 2023.

Additionally, she has presented research on various topics such as the implications of social trust on corporate social responsibility, the effect of going public in the U.S. market on corporate innovative activities, and the relationship between cost of debt and customer concentration risk at conferences including the 3rd Canadian Sustainable Finance Network Annual Conference (CSFN), the Multinational Finance Society Annual Conference (MFS), and the Midwest Finance Association Annual Conference (MFA).

Her extensive conference presentations demonstrate her commitment to disseminating research findings and engaging with the academic community on topics spanning corporate finance, innovation, and economic freedom. Through these presentations, she has contributed valuable insights to scholarly discourse and advanced understanding in her field.

📚BOOK CHAPTERS📚

John, K., S. Saadi, and H. Zhu. 2014. Liquidity Risk, in H. Kent Baker and Greg Filbeck, eds.,
Investment Risk Management (pp. 141-154), Oxford University Press.

She has received numerous honors and awards in recognition of her contributions to academia and research. At Ontario Tech University, she was honored with the FBIT Research Excellent Award in both the Senior Researcher Category for 2022-2023 and the Early Stage Researcher Category for 2019-2020. Additionally, she was nominated by students for the Student Choice Award at the Teaching and Learning Center in 2019, reflecting her effectiveness and impact as an educator.

Her scholarly achievements extend beyond her university affiliations. She was recognized as a scholarship recipient for the 2022-2023 Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program at the University of the West Indies in Barbados and as a scholarship recipient for the Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program at Fudan University in 2019. Moreover, she received prestigious awards during her academic pursuits, such as the Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Calgary from 2009 to 2012 and the Ph.D. Graduate Scholarship at Queen’s University from 2005 to 2009.

Furthermore, her research has garnered acclaim, including being listed in the Top Ten Download List for Social Science Research Network (SSRN) Financial Economics Network for her work on institutional barriers to cross-border LBOs. She has also received Best Paper Awards at conferences such as the Rome 2016 Conference on “Corporate Innovation and Cost of Capital” and has been nominated by students as one of the most outstanding professors in the Faculty of Business and IT at Ontario Tech University.

These honors and awards underscore her excellence in both research and teaching, highlighting her significant contributions to her field and her impact on students and colleagues alike.

INVITED SEMINARS🎓

Hui Zhu has been invited to present her research findings and expertise at various seminars, webinars, and conferences around the world. Notable presentations include seminars on topics such as “Do Firms’ Purchase Obligations Influence Their Choice of Debt Structure?” at Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria, “Investment Essentials” at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, and “The Implications of Social Trust on Corporate Social Responsibility: International Evidence” at the Institute for Sustainable Finance (IFS) webinar hosted by Queen’s University.

She has also delivered seminars on “Pension Deficits and Financial Distress in an Innovative Environment” at various universities in China, including Hunan Agricultural University, Jiangsu University, East China University of Political Science and Law, and East China Normal University.

Furthermore, she has presented her research at seminars and conferences in Canada and other countries, covering topics such as crash risk, investor horizon, institutional investors, and forecast modeling.

These invitations highlight her expertise and reputation in the field of finance, as well as the international recognition of her research contributions.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

 

 

Keru Duan – Blockchain Application- Best Researcher Award

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Keru Duan – Blockchain Application

Ms. Keru Duan  distinguished academic and researcher in the field  Blockchain application. Keru Duan is a Ph.D. candidate in the research group on Supply Chain and Operations Management at the Birmingham Business School. She obtains a master’s degree in 2020 from the University of Manchester, and also completed her undergraduate studies in the United Kingdom. Prior to her Ph.D. journey, Keru held a two-year tenure as a Senior Business Decision Analyst at Tesla’s Greater China Headquarters. In this role, she was responsible for formulating vehicle production plans and export strategies for the Greater China region, which included setting sales targets and managing logistics operations.

Keru’s current research focuses on the integrated application of blockchain technology, intelligent supply chain management, and closed-loop supply chain management. In the academic year of 2022-23, she actively participated in the pedagogical work of the business school, serving as a seminar tutor for postgraduate level students in the ‘Digital Business Strategy & Data Analysis’ module. This experience has enriched her teaching skills and methodologies.

At present, Keru is dedicated to publishing her research. She is finalizing a systematic literature review that focuses on the application of integrated blockchain technology in supply chain management. Drawing upon her academic background and professional expertise, she aims to develop innovative approaches to address the evolving challenges and complexities within modern supply chains.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations: 📚🎓

She has pursued a diverse educational background spanning multiple countries and disciplines. Beginning her academic journey at Beihang University in Beijing, China, she initially majored in International Finance, achieving an impressive overall grade of 87/100. During this time, she delved into various essential modules such as Economics, Financing International Trade, Marketing, Personal Financial Services, Investment, and Income Tax.

Seeking further academic enrichment, she transitioned to Coventry University in the United Kingdom, where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance for International Business. Graduating with a commendable High 2:1 Class degree, she engaged with critical modules including Organization Management, International Finance, and Management Accounting for Business Decisions.

Her academic journey continued with a Master’s degree at The University of Manchester, where she specialized in Political Economy. Displaying a high level of academic achievement, she attained a degree level of High Merit. Her coursework encompassed a range of significant topics such as Global Governance, Comparative Political Analysis, and Critical Approaches to International Political Economy. Notably, her dissertation focused on the analysis of environmental regulations concerning haze pollution from the perspective of international political economy.

Currently, she is furthering her academic pursuits at The University of Birmingham, undertaking a Ph.D. in Supply Chain and Operation Research. Her research direction revolves around lockchain TechnologBy Adoption and its Application in Supply Chain Management, showcasing her commitment to exploring innovative solutions in this field.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

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During her time as a Sustainability Intern at the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, Group of Sustainable Development, she actively engaged in various initiatives aimed at analyzing and promoting the sustainability of bamboo and rattan resources. Working closely with environmental scientists, she contributed to the evaluation of sustainability practices in this sector.

Additionally, she took on a leadership role in supervising new interns tasked with assisting local farmers in restructuring their farms. She played a pivotal role in developing profit models for these farms, which included strategies for crop cultivation, livestock breeding, and farm tourism. Her efforts resulted in the successful design of business proposals, leading to securing a significant investment from angel investors.

With the obtained start-up funds, she executed pilot experiments, procured necessary resources such as seeds and agricultural tools, and initiated marketing campaigns. Through her dedicated work, she significantly contributed to local farmers’ recovery from losses, ultimately leading to a substantial increase in profitability, amounting to nearly 5,000 RMB per person per month.

AWARDS & SKILLS
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She has garnered several notable achievements and accolades throughout her career. In 2017, she received the Outstanding Student Award from Beihang University, a recognition granted to the top 3% of students. Her academic excellence was further acknowledged in 2020 when she was awarded a Scholarship for Outstanding Overseas Alumni from Beihang University.

In 2023, she became a member of the China Outstanding Young Scholars Association, demonstrating her continued commitment to academic and professional excellence. Alongside her academic achievements, she possesses a diverse skill set, including proficiency in data analysis tools such as Tableau, Ziplabs, and Python, as well as experience with R and MySQL. Her expertise extends to financial information and analysis tools like Bloomberg and Wind, complemented by proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Furthermore, she is multilingual, with native fluency in Mandarin, professional proficiency in English, and fluency in Korean. These linguistic abilities enhance her capacity to engage effectively in diverse professional environments and collaborations. Overall, her combination of academic prowess, technical skills, and linguistic proficiency underscores her versatility and readiness to excel in various professional endeavors.

RESEARCH INTEREST:

– Research on the impact of integrated application of blockchain technology in supply chain management
– Research on Mathematical Model of Application Performance of Blockchain Technology
– Research on Closed-loop Supply Chain & Reverse Supply Chain and Circular Supply Chain

 📚Publication
  • – Keru Duan, Gu Pang, Yong Lin, Exploring the current status and future opportunities of blockchain technology
    adoption and application in supply chain management, Journal of Digital Economy, 2024, ISSN 2773-0670, [Available
    at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdec.2024.01.005].
    RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT:
    – Regular Peer Reviewer For The Journal Of Digital Economy 2023-Present
    Since 2023, serving as a regular peer reviewer for the Journal of Digital Economy, reviewed over five manuscripts
    in the supply chain and digital transformation fiel