Ashbel Smith Professor

“Economics is almost unique in that it allows you to produce research that is both rigorous and relevant. I can literally get my research ideas by looking at the world around me. I have used game theory to address topics as diverse as business ethics and counterterrorism. When it comes to the classroom, I believe that teaching is a commitment to provide a transformative experience.”

“My view of research is solving very difficult problems using entirely new ideas. If my students and or I contribute ideas that are intellectually strong – those make me very proud because they last for a long time.”

“The supportive and inspiring environment of the Jindal School of Management and The University of Texas at Dallas has constantly motivated me to strive for excellence. I am deeply honored to receive this award, and I will continue to explore the new and unknown at the intersection of technology and business.”

“In recognition of Marinus of Tyre, father of mathematical geography, students need to: enroll in more geospatial science and mathematics courses as part of a life-long learning curriculum, know how to use a global positioning system unit, known fondly by many as a GPS unit, and know whether or not a hand calculator is giving correct answers.”

“UT Dallas and the Jindal School have provided me the perfect environment to develop my research and teaching abilities to their fullest potential. I am grateful to the leadership of the school, University and the UT System for awarding me this chaired professorship and the generosity of the many supporters of UTD for providing the resources for such chairs.”

“As data is now widely recognized as the new oil for our digital economy, my research focuses on developing new methods and algorithms so we can use this essential resource without sacrificing security and individual privacy.”

“The Naveen Jindal School of Management and UT Dallas provide an amazing research environment through encouraging creativity and recognizing valuable research, service and teaching contributions of the faculty and students. The growth of JSOM and UT Dallas and the improvement in their worldwide recognitions have been phenomenal. I am also sure the upward trajectory will continue for years to come.”

“The point of doing research is to have somebody read it, and have somebody act on it, otherwise you might as well have not written it. It’s nice to know that researchers and policy-makers are being influenced by your work.”

“I am proud to be part of the UT Dallas community. I feel honored and humbled by this recognition — especially knowing that so many of my colleagues are equally deserving.”

“When I first set foot on the UTD campus in 1993 as a 19-year-old freshman, I never could have imagined that I would one day receive such an honor from the institution that has given me so much already. Our scientific work is focused on understanding what causes chronic pain and discovering new ways to treat this most common and often disabling disease. The talented students and postdocs, collaborators throughout the UT System, and resources that UTD has helped us assemble give me confidence that our understanding of chronic pain is advancing at an accelerating pace. We are getting closer and closer to developing new therapeutics that will improve the lives of people with intractable pain. This is our goal.”

“I feel privileged and honored to receive this recognition. It has been very satisfying to be part of this wonderful institution and to see the growth of the Naveen Jindal School of Management.”

“UT Dallas has the most exciting trajectory of any university in the country. Behavioral and Brain Sciences has a trajectory that is ascending, and my field is what BBS does: neuroscience, psychology, and speech and hearing sciences.”

“The students at UT Dallas are outstanding; they are so open to new thinking and creative thought. And the University’s administration also has been so receptive to my ideas. It has been such an honor to work at this University.”

“Geospatial revolution has changed the ways we think, behave and interact through location-aware devices, location-based services, Web mapping applications and crowd-sourced or volunteered geographic information. We have access to so much information about where we are, what is nearby and how to get to places. There are great opportunities for us to develop effective approaches to making sense of the data, analyzing alternative scenarios, communicating geographic dynamics and collaborating on what we can do to make the world a better place.”

“The professors at the Naveen Jindal School of Management are among the most productive in the country. I am proud to be among this group and look forward to working with them to grow the school and provide insights to our bright students.”