4326 Rowalt Dr. #202, College Park, MD 20740 | astark@rhsmith.umd.edu | 740.294.0365
EDUCATION
University of Maryland – Smith School of Business College Park, MD
Ph.D in Finance , Expected 2015 Aug. 2010 – Present
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PhD Level Coursework: Finance theory, Asset Pricing, Econometrics (I, II, III, IV), Microeconomics (I and II)
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Math Preparation: Spent the ’09-’10 school year at UMD completing non-PhD math preparatory coursework
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Full Graduate Assistantship: Awarded upon formal entry to PhD program in 2010
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Research Interest:
○ Corporate Finance: Debt structure, informal markets, econometrics
○ International Developmental Finance: Central financial decisions, international corporate finance
Princeton University Princeton, NJ
Bachelor in Economics (Minor: East Asian Studies)
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John Glover Wilson Memorial Award:
Minor: East Asian Studies
Extracurricular: Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Princetonian
Sept. 2000 – June 2004
For best senior thesis on international economics or politics.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
University of Maryland College Park, MD
Research Assistant June 2009 – Present
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Have assisted Professors Gerard Hoberg, Gordon Phillips, Vojislav Maksimovic and Liu Yang with their research. Focus has been on IPOs, Corporate Governance, Debt Structure, among other topics.
PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE
Oxford Resources Coshocton, OH
Manager – Financial Planning 2008 – 2009
● Oversaw modeling of company’s five-year forecast
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Prepared presentations as the company went through IPO process (IPO was after my departure for grad school)
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Managed credit agreement with bank consortium
American Commercial Lines Jeffersonville, IN
Analyst – Corporate Strategy
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2006 – 2008
Provided financial and qualitative analysis for acquisition opportunities and proposals
High School English Teacher and non-profit in China Xiamen, China
High School Teacher
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2004-2005
Taught English for two semesters at a high school
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Also worked with a non-profit microfinance organization while there
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Traveled afterwards around China for several months
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
Since beginning the PhD program, I have consulted for the following firms/organizations:
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The World Bank
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Broadridge Financial Services
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Jones Day Law Firm
SKILLS, ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS
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Technical Skills: Proficient in STATA, Python and Microsoft suite
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Financial Software Experience: Thomson IR Channel, Bloomberg Terminal, DNB, Oracle, CRSP, Compustat
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Languages: Proficient at Mandarin Chinese and Spanish
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Interests: Soccer, running