Leighton Students’ Research Accepted for Conference Presentations
Management undergraduate Faisal Almagboul’s research with Assistant Professor of Management David Tobey on pandemic preparedness was accepted for conference presentation at The 8th World Congress on Health Care and Medical Tourism in Dubai in November. “I am very impressed with Faisal’s accomplishment and his continued diligence in producing a systematic review of the literature,” said Tobey. “The letter sent by the organizers noted the high quality of research selected for this conference, which is a testament to Faisal’s outstanding work and the quality of undergraduate research at the Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics.”
In addition, management undergraduate Kerry Ann Sandsmark, presented her research on "Engaging Caregiving Talent: A Systematic Review" at the Northern Indiana Quality Improvement Collaborative Workshop held on the IU South Bend campus in June.
Hui Yang, a recent Master of Science in Accounting graduate, presented her research with Finance Professor Alex Meisami at the IU South Bend Multidisciplinary Graduate Conference last spring. Her research paper, “Does Superstition Play a Role in the Chinese Stock Market,” investigates “number worship” and its impact on investors’ behavior and stock returns in Chinese Stock market. “Hui continues to work on the research, even after she has graduated from the program,” explained Meisami. “She is working toward getting it published in professional journals, too.”
Meisami helped her narrow the topic and provided the tools to conduct the research. “He encouraged me and at the same time pushed me to be a better critical thinker,” explained Yang. “He also taught me statistics and methodologies, which are extremely useful skills in doing research. When it came time to write the research paper, he offered advice about writing a research paper, such as organizing ideas, processing data, and citing references. Without Professor Meisami's advice and encouragement, I would not have accomplished my research goals.”
Throughout his tenure at the Leighton School, Meisami has collaborated with many undergraduate and graduate students on research projects. “It’s a win-win,” he said. “The student gains new skills and perspectives, and when our work is published, it is good for my career too.”
The experience opened a whole new world for Yang. “I gained self-confidence. As an international student, I could have never imagined that one day I would present in front of so many people including students and business professors,” she said. “Now, I feel like the sky is the limit!”