As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2024, Chuan Cai, financial services analytics Ph.D. from Lu’an, Anhui, China has thoroughly demonstrated his excellence and dedication during his time at UD.
Cai was nominated for this series by Professor of Operations Management, Director – Institute for Financial Services Analytics, Faculty Director – Financial Services Analytics Ph.D. Program Bintong Chen.
Chen said, Cai “managed to balance work, research, and family for his Ph.D. study.”
In this profile, Cai shares his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Cai: My initial semester in the FSAN program in Fall 2018 came four years after I graduated from UD with a master’s degree in statistics. Returning to student life – attending classes, completing homework, and taking exams – while working full-time at UD was initially challenging. However, with the invaluable guidance and support from the FSAN faculty, particularly my advisor Dr. Fleischhacker, I quickly adapted to balancing multiple responsibilities effectively. By my final fall semester in 2023, I had successfully managed to complete a manuscript for my third project, finalize my dissertation, and pass an elective course.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Cai: One of the most significant challenges I faced during my Ph.D. journey was learning how to identify research topics that were both sufficiently challenging and feasible to complete. I overcame this challenge by engaging deeply with the academic community: I read extensive literature, attended academic seminars, discussed various approaches with my advisor, and experimented with different ideas.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Cai: My favorite signature UD experience has been attending the IFSA seminars. These seminars feature distinguished scholars who share insights into their cutting-edge research. Additionally, as FSAN students, we are given the opportunity to meet with these scholars to discuss our own projects further. This has not only been incredibly enriching but also instrumental in broadening my academic perspective and networking within my field.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Cai: Dr. Adam Fleischhacker, my advisor in the FSAN program, significantly impacted my UD experience. His unwavering patience, support, and encouragement were instrumental throughout my Ph.D. journey. Learning from him how to integrate domain knowledge with statistical models to tackle real-world challenges was truly enlightening. Moreover, his wisdom and optimism have not only guided my research endeavors but also profoundly influenced various aspects of my life.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Cai: To me, being a ‘Lifelong Lerner’ means applying the knowledge and skills I acquired at Lerner throughout my future career endeavors. It also signifies maintaining resilience in the face of challenges and embracing innovative, ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking in both my professional and personal life.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Cai: Study hard and play hard! Discover what truly sparks your passion and dedicate yourself fully to it.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Cai: I will be working as a senior manager on the financial modeling and analysis team at Sallie Mae.