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Dr. Yijun Zhao

Associate Professor
Director of the MS in Data Science (MSDS) Program
Co-director of the Dual MS in Data Science and MA in Economic Program
Co-director of the Joint MS in Data Science and Quantitative Econometrics Program
Computer and Information Sciences Department
Fordham University

Contact

 610E Lincoln Center
Phone: 212-636-7816
Email: yzhao11@fordham.edu

Education

  • PhD in Computer Science, Tufts University
  • MS in Computer Science, University of Kansas
  • BS in Computer Science, Tianjin University

Biography

Dr. Zhao is an Associate Professor of Computer and Information Sciences at Fordham University. She directs the Master of Data Science (MSDS) program, one of the largest GSAS graduate programs at Fordham. She also co-directs two interdisciplinary master’s programs: the dual degree in Data Science and Economics (MSDS+MA) and the joint degree in Data Science and Quantitative Economics (DSQE). In these roles, she leads the design and delivery of curricula that prepare the next generation of data scientists.

Dr. Zhao’s research interests include machine learning, data mining, and statistical pattern recognition. She supervises a team of graduate research assistants and collaborates with domain experts to develop novel computational models in real-world applications. These new methods creatively exploit unique circumstances associated with a given task to establish a sound theoretical footing and allow for more effective learning.



Prior to embarking on her academic career, Dr. Zhao worked in the financial industry for over 10 years in a wide variety of roles, starting as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC), a senior quantitative analyst at Wells Fargo Advisors, and ending as a quantitative trader at hedge funds Millennium Management LLC and Ronin Capital LLC.