The Elizabeth Neave Fellowship

Where is your hometown?

My hometown is Tehran, the capital city of Iran. It is a vibrant and dynamic city, surrounded by mountains and full of culture, history and energy. Growing up in Tehran shaped my curiosity and resilience, as it is a place where tradition and modern life exist side by side.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

Studying at Smith has been a truly formative experience for me. I have significantly strengthened my academic writing, research presentation skills and my ability to communicate technical ideas to interdisciplinary audiences. The inclusive and supportive academic environment encourages open discussion, constructive feedback and independent thinking. It has helped me clearly identify areas where I can improve my methodological skills and research rigor.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

The first thing that came to my mind when I read this question was the orientation. From the very beginning, I had the opportunity to meet the wonderful faculty, staff and my cohort. Everyone was welcoming and supportive, and I immediately felt that this was a place where I could grow both academically and personally. The strong sense of community and the genuine willingness to help one another truly stood out to me.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD and build a career in academia as a researcher and professor. I am deeply motivated by the meaningful academic environment, and I hope to contribute to the growth of knowledge while mentoring and supporting future students.

What is one interesting fact about you?

From a very early age I loved teaching. After coming home from school, I would gather my dolls and turn my room into a classroom. I had a whole group of “students,” and every day I enjoyed teaching them everything I had learned at school. Looking back, those playful lessons were my first steps toward a lifelong passion for education.

Research Overview

Asal’s research aims to improve the early prediction of serious heart events, such as heart attacks and strokes, by making better use of information that is already collected during routine medical care. Many patients receive normal results from common heart tests but still experience major problems later, which means important warning signs are often missed. In her project, Asal combines stress test results, carotid artery imaging and detailed information written in medical reports to build more accurate prediction models using machine learning methods. The main goal is to help doctors identify high-risk patients earlier, without requiring new tests, higher costs or extra burden on patients. By improving how existing data is used, her research supports more preventive, personalized and efficient healthcare.

Where is your hometown?

I’m from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

The primary reason I chose Smith School of Business was its reputation for high-quality academic research. I was driven to complete my MSc in Management by a desire to help make sure of complex real-world problems, so it was important that the program I chose would provide an environment where I could develop the skills to do so.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

My favourite experience at Queen’s so far has been watching my classmate’s first-year research projects take shape as we progress through the year. I’m lucky to be learning alongside graduate students who are studying a wide range of management disciplines, so every student’s project is unique and inspires me to approach my own research in a new way. The collaborative learning environment at Smith has given us the opportunity to learn not just from faculty members but from one another, and I feel truly grateful to be developing my research skills alongside so many insightful individuals.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

After graduation, my goal is to pursue a career that allows me to contribute to building and communicating knowledge that leads to real-world change. I’ve developed a love for research and its ability to help us understand the world, so no matter where I end up, I know it will be a central part of my career. I’m very passionate about bridging the gap between academia and practice, because I believe that management research has the potential to make a real impact and reshape how organizations function for the better.

What is one interesting fact about you?

I make my own clothes! I’ve been learning to sew for the past two years, both as a hobby and as a way to lessen my environmental impact by relying less on fast fashion.

Research Overview

Becca’s research explores how certification systems shape the way businesses engage with social and environmental movements. Focusing on the B Corp certification and its governing organization, B Lab, the project examines how certifications help signal a company’s values while also creating challenges for the organizations that manage them. As certification programs grow, they can increase the reach of a movement, but they also risk weakening standards and eroding public trust. This research investigates how the standards of governing organizations influence whether firms seek, maintain or drop certification, and how these decisions affect the credibility and impact of the certification system as a whole. Using data on B Corp certified organizations over time, the project aims to identify ways certification bodies can expand their influence while maintaining strong, meaningful standards. The findings will offer practical insights for organizations seeking to promote more socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

Where is your hometown?

I’m from Shantou, China, a coastal city with a long history and a rich tradition of seafood and local cuisine.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

Coming from an Economics background, I was eager to deepen my understanding of Finance research, and Smith stood out as one of the top business schools in Canada. My time here has only reinforced that decision—I’ve had the privilege of learning from outstanding faculty and immersing myself in a dynamic research community.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

One of the most meaningful experiences at Queen’s has been working with my supervisor, Professor Paul Calluzzo. He is always patient and supportive, offering thoughtful guidance that helps me improve my research. His advice has strengthened my analytical thinking and given me the confidence to take on more challenging ideas. Another highlight has been the Capital Markets and Corporate Finance Theory course with Professor Pierre Chaigneau this semester. As someone who enjoys theoretical research, I found the course both engaging and thought-provoking. It gave me a solid understanding of some key finance theories, which I found really engaging, and reinforced my passion for finance research.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

My ultimate goal is to become a finance professor, contributing to the field through impactful research and teaching. I am particularly fascinated by the intersection of corporate culture, behavioral finance, and asset pricing, and I hope to explore thought-provoking questions that deepen our understanding of financial markets and corporate decision-making.

What is one interesting fact about you?

I love playing basketball and I am also a huge NBA fan. The Golden State Warriors are my favourite team.

Research Overview

Individual and Coordinated Insider Trading

Jiaying’s research explores the distinction between individual and coordinated insider trading, emphasizing the latter’s potential to reduce risk and stabilize stock prices. By introducing “initiating trades” and examining follow-on transactions, the study classifies trades into individual, coordinated, and passive categories. Using data from the China A-share market, it investigates the short-term and long-term effects of insider trading on stock performance and investor sentiment. The research hypothesizes that coordinated trades provide more stable market signals and may serve as strategic tools to maintain investor confidence. Future work includes developing a theoretical model linking investor sentiment to insider trading patterns, with broader implications for market regulation and financial stability.

Where is your hometown?

My hometown is Tehran, Iran. Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran, a country with a rich history, diverse environment, and stunning natural landscapes.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

I wanted to continue my graduate studies at a highly ranked university with a strong research background, innovative approaches, and distinguished faculty. When I came across the management program at Smith School of Business, I was impressed by its reputation for cutting-edge research and the positive experiences of former students. The program offers a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, which I believe is essential for both academic and professional growth. Moreover, the diverse community and industry connections at Smith provide great opportunities for networking and career advancement. With its rich curriculum and extensive resources, I am confident that this program will help me achieve my goals.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

My favourite experience at Queen’s so far has been engaging with the vibrant academic and professional community at Smith School of Business. The interactive and research-driven environment has given me the opportunity to collaborate with talented peers and learn from highly accomplished faculty. I have particularly enjoyed exploring innovative concepts in management analytics and seeing how they apply to real-world problems.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

After graduation, my goal is to pursue a career in academia as a professor. My passion for research and teaching has been a key motivator in my decision to continue graduate studies. I am particularly interested in contributing to innovative research that drives meaningful advancements in management analytics. Beyond conducting research, I aspire to mentor and inspire future students, fostering a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and creativity.

What is one interesting fact about you?

One interesting fact about me is that I started my academic journey in industrial engineering and never imagined pursuing graduate studies in a business school. However, as I explored different topics, I discovered how closely engineering and management analytics are connected. This realization led me to shift my focus and ultimately choose Smith School of Business for my master's. Now, I am truly enjoying the program and often encourage engineering students to consider management if they are interested in graduate studies, as it offers a unique and valuable perspective on problem-solving and decision-making.

Research Overview

Enhancing Emergency Department Efficiency: Optimizing the Patient Pathway in Quebec

Shervin’s research focuses on enhancing the efficiency of Quebec’s Emergency Departments (EDs) by optimizing patient pathways to address significant financial and operational challenges. Using two years of data from multiple facilities, the study aims to identify inefficiencies and propose evidence-based solutions to improve ED productivity, with a key focus on minimizing 30-day readmission rates. The research follows a two-phase methodology: analyzing one year of data to determine optimal time allocations for each step of the patient pathway and comparing these findings with actual performance in the second year. Expected outcomes include identifying underperforming ED sections, understanding systemic inefficiencies, and providing practical solutions to reduce readmissions and enhance patient care. By integrating advanced optimization techniques with real-world data, this study offers a transformative approach to improving ED operations in Quebec while contributing valuable insights to healthcare optimization research.