Student Profiles

Hometown:
Dallas, Texas  
 
Academic Background:
B.S., Economics, 2021 (Southern Methodist University)
M.A., Economics, 2022 (The Ohio State University)
 
Topics of interest/research:
Behavioral Economics, Applied Microeconomics  
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Phi Beta Kappa, 2021 (Southern Methodist University)  
• Wallace F. Lovejoy Memorial Award in Economics, 2021 (Southern Methodist University)
• Arthur A. Smith Memorial Award in Economics, 2021 (Dallas Association of Business Economics)
• University Graduate Fellow, 2021 (The Ohio State University)

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
The Consumer Sciences PhD program has provided me a truly exceptional opportunity within a unique department. Our top-tier professors have been incredibly accessible and have challenged me to become a more talented researcher. Furthermore, the training I continue to receive here has greatly prepared me for future success.

Hometown:
China
 
Academic Background:
M.S., Consumer Sciences, The Ohio State University, 2019
Graduate minor, Statistically Data Analysis, The Ohio State University, 2019
B.B.A, Financial Management, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 2015
 
Topics of interest/research:
Household investment and saving behaviors
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Zhujun Cheng, and Tansel Yilmazer, “Are Millennials Wary of Stock Market? A Cohort Analysis of Stock holdings”, CFP Academic Research Colloquium, November, 2021 (Oral presentation);
• Zhujun Cheng, and Tansel Yilmazer, “COVID-19 pandemic and Retirement Savings: A simulation analysis”, American Council on Consumer Interests, May, 2021 (Oral presentation);
• Zhujun Cheng, and Tansel Yilmazer, “Are Millennials Wary of Stock Market? A Cohort Analysis of Stock holdings”, Personal Finance Symposium, April, 2021 (Oral presentation);
• Zhujun Cheng, and Tansel Yilmazer, “Are Millennials Wary of Stock Market? A Cohort Analysis of Stock holdings”, American Council on Consumer Interests, May, 2020 (Oral presentation);
• Zhujun Cheng, Tansel Yilmazer, and Sherman D. Hanna, “Risk Tolerance and Stock Holding Behavior After the Great Recession”, American Council on Consumer Interests, May, 2019 (Poster presentation);
• 2021 Ballentine Best Paper Award at the annual Academic Research Colloquium for Financial Planning and Related Disciplines;
• Slabaugh Scholarship Award, Ohio State University, 2021-2022.
• 2021 ACCI Student /Young Professional Conference Scholarship Award;
• 2020 ACCI Student /Young Professional Conference Scholarship Award.

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
I am interested in research related to household financial behaviors. Faculty members in our program their research interests, especially my advisor Dr. Yilmazer, really attracted me to start my graduate study journey in our program! I had a chance to talk with some of our faculty members during my application process and I was impressed by the academic atmosphere and their personalities.

Our program provides students a lot of opportunities to develop based on your research interest and we are able to select courses from other department, such as Economics, Statistics, and Public policy school. All faculty members are very willing to instruct and help students.

Hometown:
Seoul, Korea
 
Academic Background:
MA, Consumer Science, Seoul National University, 2021
BA, Consumer Science & Economics, Seoul National University, 2019
 
Topics of interest/research:
Consumer and Family Finance
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Ko, J., Hanna, S.D., & Kim, K.T. (2023). Family Lifecycle Stage and Consumer Debt among Homeowners and Renters. An Oral Presentation at the American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI) 2023 Annual Conference.
• Ko, J., & Hanna, S.D. (2023). Family Lifecycle Stage and Consumer Debt for Homeowners and Renters. An Oral Presentation at the 2023 EHE Research Forum at the Ohio State University.
• Chu, Y., Ko, J., Jang, J., & Kim, S. Y. (2021). Middle and Older Aged Householders' Life Satisfaction and Its Influencing Factors by Types of Support: Focusing on Health and Financial Status. A Poster Presentation at the 2021 Winter Conference of the Korean Association of Human Ecology.
• Ko, J., Nam, Y., & Rha, J. Y. (2021). A Study on the Determinants of Household Debt Size. A Poster Presentation at the 2021 Korea Consumer-Related Field Integration Conference.
• Ko, J., & Rha, J. Y. (2021). The Relationship between Time Allocation of Married Households and Their Expenses of Eating Out: Focusing on Household Production Theory. A Poster Presentation at the 74th Spring Joint Conference of the Home Economics Field in Korea.

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
Consumer Sciences program at OSU is the best place to study consumer behavior and household finance with leading researchers in the field.

Hometown:
Grandview Heights
 
Academic Background:
BS Comp Sci, Texas A&M
MS Comp & Info Sci, Dartmouth
Diploma, Intl Rels, LSE
 
Topics of interest/research:
Financial literacy, education and decision-making
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Presentation Scarcity Mindset & Crypto, ACCI 2023

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
Chance to combine financial and math HS teaching background.

Hometown:
Zhejiang, China
 
Academic Background:
BBA in International Business, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, 2015
MS (Terminal) in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2017
      
Topics of interest/research:
Consumer Economics, Personal Finance, Health Economics, Social Science Genomics
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Using Education and Genetic Information to Explore Stability of Risk Preference over Wealth (Best Paper - Academy of Financial Services Annual Meeting, 2021)

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?

This program has offered extensive learning resources and opportunities that have been crucial in shaping my academic and professional paths. The knowledgeable faculty and varied course options have facilitated a comprehensive learning experience. Interaction with peers has contributed to a collaborative and enriched learning environment. Teaching experiences in this program have honed my ability to convey complex financial concepts effectively and adapt teaching methods to be more inclusive and relevant. The shift to remote teaching during the pandemic necessitated innovation and adaptation to maintain clarity and engagement in content delivery.

Regarding research, the program has enabled exploration into significant subjects like personal and household health and financial behaviors. The diverse curriculum and research projects have provided insights into human behavior and decision-making processes. My research, particularly my award-winning dissertation, has been a significant component of my academic journey in the program. Participation in various research projects has developed my skills in data collection and analysis, preparing me for future academic pursuits. In summary, the program has provided a conducive environment for academic growth and skill development in both teaching and research.

Hometown:
Seoul, South Korea
 
Academic Background:
George Washington University BBA
Sungkyunkwan University MA
      
Topics of interest/research:
Household Economics
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• CJ CheilJedang Brand Management Analyst, Seoul, Korea
• 'Consumers’ Positive and Negative Perceptions toward Airbnb: Text Mining of Consumer Experiences Posted in Online Community' Journal of Consumer Studies, First author

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
To study and create model for the utility maximization of consumer