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Financial Engineering - Fall 2008
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Steven Allbee
B.S. in Mathematics
University of California, Riverside
Biography: Steven is a long time resident of Southern California. He received his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of California, Riverside. He is a person of many trades, having worked in several industries, including the restaurant, construction and retail industry. After twelve years of relentless working experiences, Steven is now ready to quench his passion for Finance. Having tried his hand on everything from money management to inventory control, he now looks forward to understanding the dynamics of finance. His goal is to work with the top investment banks in the U.S., and feels that Financial Engineering is the right way to go about that. Steve’s other full-time passion is his daughter, whom he dedicates his future success.
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Justin Ceglar
B.S. in Business
University of Southern California
Biography: Justin is a proud Trojan, holding a Bachelor of Science in Business from University of Southern California. He has been trading in FOREX markets ever since he graduated from USC. He has worked for firms like Tuco Trading, JB Ceglar Capital, and Saatchi & Saatchi. He is currently working as a proprietary trader, trading mostly in NYSE and NASDAQ stocks. However, he realizes that in addition to his intuition for the markets, he also needs the correct quantitative background to justify his decisions when he trades in the currency markets. Therefore, he has planned on taking classes in the Financial Engineering Program, which he feels is the best fit for his interests and passions. On the personal front, Justin is a fantastic basketball player and an ever-improving golfer. He has also volunteered at the Police Athletic League and happens to be an avid surfer.
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Jordan Chang
B.S. in Mathematics
Cal Poly Pomona
Biography: Jordan joins us from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.S. in Mathematics. His objective in life is to make a career as an Actuarial Analyst (retirement Actuarial Analyst) which he feels is the only profession that will allow him to pursue his dream of being a part of academia even after graduation. He intends to achieve this goal by learning more about Finance and Mathematics by being a part of the Claremont family. He feels fascinated with the idea of creating mathematical models to predict the future and try to manage risk under the scenarios that his models will create. During his leisure Jordan enjoys playing golf. He is also passionate about games like billiards, basketball and poker. In addition he plays violin whenever he finds free time from studies.
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Nicholas Crossman
B.S. in Mathematics
B.A. in Managerial Studies
University of Redlands
Biography: Nicholas holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Managerial Studies from the University of Redlands. At Redlands, he studied the use of rescaled range to estimate fractal dimensions of financial markets as his senior thesis. He also focused on building a foundation in numerical analysis and its applications for modeling stochastic processes, random processes, and the theory of statistics. In addition to his interest in mathematics and finance, Nicholas enjoys snowboarding, swimming and diving. He also takes Yoga classes with friend and roommate Alberto Izarraraz. Upon graduation, Nicholas would like to pursue a quantitative strategy career in risk management.
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Kalyan Dhanireddy
B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India
Biography: Kalyan obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from and a graduate degree in Business Administration from K.J.Somaiya Institute of Management in Mumbai, India. After finishing his MBA, he worked as a Senior Analysts for Mecklai Financial and Commercial Services Limited, one of the leading risk management consulting firms in India. He has actively participated in corporate treasury management and has written on topics regarding India’s foreign exchange derivatives market. He looks forward to working in the areas of risk management and structured finance after finishing the MSFE program. In his spare time, Kalyan likes to run and play badminton, which he hopes to play competitively at Claremont.
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Hsin Yuek Foo
B.S. in Industrial and Operations Engineering
University of Michigan
Biography: Hsin Yuek holds a B.S. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. After completing her Bachelor’s degree, she worked at DTE Energy Resources for three years as a Programmer Analyst. Her work was mainly focused on utilizing linear programming models to price energy resources in relation to current and future market characteristics. After DTE Energy, Hsin became an Associate for 330 Investment Management Hedge Fund in Chicago, where she performs sensitivity analyses to identify hedging opportunities. She joined the MSFE program to enhance her programming and quantitative skills with the hope of ascending to greater heights in the finance industry.
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Yi Hong
B.E. in Mechanical Engineering
M.E. in Electrical Engineering
Beijing Polytechnic University, China
Biography: Yi received his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and his M.E. in Electrical Engineering from Beijing Polytechnic University. During his studies, he worked as an intern at the investment banking department of China Orient Asset Management Corporation. His project was focused on estimating the risk of the structural trades of non-performing loans with ADM company, Hong Kong. Yi looks forward to learning quantitative skills and expanding his theoretical knowledge to achieve his long term of being a “quant.” Aside from his studies, Yi enjoys playing basketball and participating in marathons. He is looking forward to participating in next year’s LA Marathon and winning gold!
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Benjamin Idstein
B.S in Mathematics/Physics
B.A. in Economics
Loyola University, Chicago
Biography: Benjamin holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics/Physics and a Bachelor’s of Art in Economics from Loyola University in Chicago. While at Loyola, Benjamin had the opportunity to participate in a summer school program with the London School of Economics, where he studied econometrics and financial forecasting. He also studied trade and development within the context of the European Union and Eastern Europe at Loyola’s Rome Center. Additionally, Benjamin did an internship last summer with Macquarie Cook Power, a division of the Macquarie Bank Group. He worked in the strategy team to evaluate power and natural gas trades and financing. Today, Benjamin wishes to augment his finance knowledge by pursuing a dual MBA and MSFE degree, with the goal of working in the energy sector in the future. When he is not calculating numbers, Ben likes to play to the tune of the bass guitar and drums.
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Alberto Izarraraz
B.S. in Mathematics
University of California, Irvine
M.A. in Mathematics
California State University, Los Angeles
Biography: Alberto holds a B.S. in Mathematics from University of California—Irvine and a M.A. in Mathematics from California State University—Los Angeles. His research interests include development of stochastic models to simulate population dynamics of biological organisms, Tribulium canstenous and Eciton burchelli specifically. He has presented his findings to the American Mathematical Society and to the Society for Advancement of Chanos and Native Americans in Science. Alberto also has many awards to his name, most notable of which are the Chancellor’s Achievement Scholarship and California Alliance for Minority Participation Scholarship. Today Alberto, wishes to explore his interests in finance and advance his mathematical modeling experience. When he is not in class, you find Alberto snowboarding down the slopes of the local mountains and working on his music talents.
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Chibuzo Ivenso
Chartered Financial Analyst
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Nigeria
Biography: Chibuzo is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Nigeria. After obtaining his BS, he was offered a position as an equity/quantitative research analyst and portfolio manager at Asset and Resource Management Limited (ARM), a leading asset management firm in Nigeria. While at ARM, Chibuzo was actively involved in developing quantitative models to facilitate investment decision-making and analysis. He was also responsible for determining strategic asset allocation and monitoring portfolio performance. After completing the MSFE program, Chibuzo hopes to apply his quantitative skills and work experience to pursue a career in finance.
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Rohan Kale
B.E. in Computers Engineering
St. Francis Institute of Technology, India
Biography: Rohan joins us from St. Francis Institute of Technology, India, where he received his B.E. in Computers Engineering. He worked on several projects during his undergraduate career, one of which involved developing an “Airline Ticket Booking System.” Rohan also worked in the finance department of Chanakya Investments. After the MSFE, Rohan looks forward to applying the knowledge and skills acquired in the MSFE program to achieve his long-term goal of opening his own investment company specializing in retirement solutions.
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Adhurim Kepuska
B.S. in Electrical Engineering
California State University, Fullerton
Biography: Adhurim obtained his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Fullerton. Along with his studies, he also worked as an Administrative Assistant followed by the role of an Assistant Engineer with Global Operations & Development, Buena Park, California. He is a good team leader and has been actively involved with professional groups like IEEE and Golden Key International Honor Society. His objective in life is to become a finance professional and help reshape the financial system of his native Kosovo. He strongly believes that both the technical and socially-focus managerial aspect of Financial Engineering Program will help him achieve this objective.
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Xingying Pan
B.A. in Insurance
Fudan University, China
Biography: Xingying received her Bachelor’s degree in Insurance from Fudan University, China. During her undergraduate, she worked in the Credit Department of Shenzhen Ping An Bank as an intern credit analyst. Her project consisted of checking financial statements of enterprises applying for loans, undertaking risk assessment analysis of lending proposals, and analyzing investment projects and budgets. Prior to joining the MSFE program, she worked for Ping An Property and Casualty Insurance Company of China as an assistant insurance product designer. She supported the design and development of new insurance products and analyzing competitive products and price points. Upon graduation, she hopes that MSFE program will enable her to pursue a career in the Chinese finance and banking sector.
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Sidanth Shetty
B.E. in Electrical Engineering
University of Mumbai, India
Biography: Sidanth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Mumbai. While doing his Bachelor’s studies he also worked for Nir-rathi Securities as a Research Analyst on a part time basis. He wishes to achieve proficiency in the field of Financial Engineering by pursuing a Ph.D. His hobbies include playing football and watching Tennis. He has also been involved in many team-building activities, the most notable of them being his role as a Robotics coordinator it the intercollegiate robotics tournament.
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Adrian Sugandhi
B.S. in Computer Science
M.S. in Computer Science
University of California, Irvine
Biography: Adrian joins us from the University of California—Irvine with a B.S. and M.S. degree in Computer Science. Adrian was also a part of Broadcom Corporation wherein he authored Windows Installer package and implemented custom APIs in C++ for Windows. He looks forward towards becoming an astute Finance Professor by understanding the underlying principles of Finance and Mathematics during the course of this program. Adrian also possesses the honor of being a part of the Golden Key International Honors Society. He has been actively involved with his community church and the Association of Irvine Indonesian Students (ARISAN).
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Tepparat Wongcharoenwanakij
B.E. in Materials Engineering and Economics
Brown University
Biography: Tepparat secured his B.E. in Materials Engineering and Economics from Brown University. He is an honorary recipient of the Royal Thai Government Scholarship and looks forward to work for the Thai Government in the near future. However, he has also set his eyes on getting a Ph.D in financial engineering from Claremont Graduate University, which he feels would help him immensely in tackling the problems that Thailand faces as a growing economy. Tepparat enjoys dancing and has choreographed many events held at Brown University. He was also involved in organizing an All-Ivy Men’s Tennis Club during his undergraduate days wherein he scheduled the matches and also arranged for the practice sessions.
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Wen Jing Yang
B.A. in Economics
Guangdong University, China
Biography: Wen Jing obtained her B.A. in Economics from Guangdong University in China. During her studies, she worked in the trade and finance department of China Minsheng Bank, Guangzhou Branch. In addition, she actively played a roll in the university’s rural support program. Wen Jing enrolled in the MSFE program because it combines her two passions: finance and mathematics. After graduation she plans to apply her knowledge to the development of quantitative trading strategies for asset management. She also plans to use her knowledge to partake in China’s expanding economy.
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Xi Yang
B.E. in Computer Science Engineering
University of Electronic Science, China
Biography: Xi holds a B.E. in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Electronic Science, China. She followed up her undergraduate studies by working for IBM Global Service as an IT specialist. Xi then worked for the Bank of China and did an internship with Infosys Technologies in India for a year. Her long term objective is to start a consulting firm of her own and believes that the managerial aspect of the Financial Engineering Program at Claremont Graduate University will prepare her for her future entrepreneurial ventures. Xi has had many achievements to her name since receiving her bachelor degree. Among them, she was recipient of IBM’s Star Award for the year 2007.
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Zhiyuan Zhang
B.S. in Finance
Fudan Pacific Institute of Finance, China
Biography: Zhiyuan joins our FE Program with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Fudan Pacific Institute of Finance, China. After obtaining his MSFE, Zhiyuan’s goal is to work for a major Chinese firm as a portfolio analyst and ascend to positions of increased responsibility. His passion for finance was fuelled when he began working for an industrial fund management company in Shanghai as an Assistant Analyst. After a year’s work of experience, he realized that he needed a better understanding of the underlying principles of Finance. For that, he decided to participate in CGU’s Financial Engineering Program. Zhiyuan has had been a recipient of many awards most notable of which is the Outstanding Graduate Student Award granted by the Education Administration, Shanghai.
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Thanh Hoang
B.A. in International Business
University of Foreign Trade, Vietnam
International MBA (Finance), University of San Diego
M.S. in Financial Engineering, CGU
Biography: Thanh is a true veteran of the FE Program! He received his Master of Science in Financial Engineering from Claremont Graduate University and, after two fun and fruitful years, he has decided to stay at Claremont and pursue his PhD. in Financial Engineering. Before joining us, however, Thanh received his International MBA (Honors) with a concentration in finance from the University of San Diego. After receiving his MBA, Thanh worked for MISFIT Financial Group, LLC as a financial researcher. He also received training to become an upcoming commodity trader for the company. Thanh has also had experience working in the communications industry. He served as an assistant human resource manager for Telecom Technology Institute in Vietnam. When he is not studying, Thanh enjoys playing tennis and chess. In fact, he currently holds the chess title among the Financial Engineering students.
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2010 Claremont Graduate University 
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