Mihaylo College of Business and Economics at Cal State Fullerton has added three new academics to its rolls this fall; their scholarly interests range from macroeconomics to financial statement analysis.
Siyi Li
Assistant professor of accounting
Ph.D., M.Phil., Columbia University; MBA, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; B.A. international economics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
Research interests: My research focuses on financial reporting and financial statement analysis. My papers have examined the role of accounting data in predicting future earnings and cash flows and different ways financial statement data can be used to measure reporting quality.
Something you’d like others to know: I enjoy reading history and spending time with my four-and-a-half-year-old boy.
Favorite book and movie: “Gone With the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell
Aaron Popp
Assistant professor of economics
Ph.D., M.A. economics, The Ohio State University; B.A. economics, University of Northern Iowa
Research interests: I am a macroeconomist who studies topics like the effects of unemployment insurance on the economy as a whole and the effects of uncertainty on the U.S. and other economies during recessions and expansions. I also am developing models to better understand the causes and effects of seasonal fluctuations in the economy.
Most impactful undergraduate academic experience: As an undergraduate, I wrote a research paper for my capstone class on the economic effects of natural disasters.
Something you’d like others to know: Prior to being promoted to assistant professor, I was a lecturer here for six years.
Favorite book: “Rendezvous With Rama” by Arthur C. Clarke
Alberto Rivera
Assistant professor of economics
Ph.D., M.S. economics, Arizona State University; B.A. economics, B.A. political science, Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico
Research interests: Macroeconomics, economic development
Most impactful undergraduate academic experience: My undergraduate thesis in economics was key to realizing that I really enjoy doing research, especially on topics related to structural change and labor mobility in developing countries.
Something you’d like others to know: I just moved here from Arizona, and I have never lived in a city where it snows.
Favorite movie: My favorite movie is “Gladiator.” I’ve watched it more times that I can remember.