B. Espen Eckbo | Econometrics and Finance | Research Excellence Award

Prof. B. Espen Eckbo | Econometrics and Finance | Research Excellence Award

Dartmouth College | United States

B. Espen Eckbo is a globally recognized scholar in corporate finance and one of the field’s most influential empirical researchers. He is the Tuck Centennial Professor of Finance at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, and has held distinguished academic appointments at leading institutions including the University of British Columbia, Stockholm School of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics, MIT Sloan, UCLA, INSEAD, and Vanderbilt University. With a Ph.D. in Financial Economics from the University of Rochester, Professor Eckbo has built a four-decade research career that has shaped modern understanding of takeovers, corporate governance, capital structure, bankruptcy, and competition policy. He has authored major handbooks, edited influential volumes on corporate finance, and published widely in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Finance, Management Science, and Journal of Corporate Finance. Ranked among the world’s top finance scholars—including a 2024 ScholarGPS ranking of worldwide in Corporate Finance—he has earned numerous honors such as the Barclays Global Investors/Michael Brennan Prize, multiple Best Paper Awards, “All Star Papers” in JFE, and an honorary doctorate from the Norwegian School of Economics. Professor Eckbo is also the founding director of the Lindenauer Center and Forum for Governance Research at Dartmouth and has served on editorial boards, research councils, and scientific advisory committees across Europe and North America. With extensive keynote lectures, major research grants, and high-impact collaborations, he continues to advance empirical corporate finance through rigorous scholarship, editorial leadership, and global academic engagement.

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar)

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Citations
15,456

i10index
73

 h-index
42

Featured Publications

Horizontal mergers, collusion, and stockholder wealth
– Journal of Financial Economics, 1983 • Citations: 1,764
Corporate takeovers
– Handbook of Empirical Corporate Finance, 2008 • Citations: 975
Valuation effects of corporate debt offerings
– Journal of Financial Economics, 1986 • Citations: 945
Seasoned public offerings: Resolution of the ‘new issues puzzle’
– Journal of Financial Economics, 2000 • Citations: 825
Asymmetric information and the medium of exchange in takeovers: Theory and tests
– The Review of Financial Studies, 1990 • Citations: 672

Md. Rubel Islam | Econometrics and Finance | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Md. Rubel Islam | Econometrics and Finance | Best Researcher Award

Bangladesh Bank (The Central Bank of Bangladesh), Bangladesh

Dr. Md. Rubel Islam is an accomplished economist and researcher whose work focuses on the intersections of monetary policy, remittances, development economics, and financial inclusion. His research explores the socioeconomic and political dimensions of remittance flows, examining their influence on poverty reduction, household welfare, governance, and democratic development in emerging economies. By combining advanced econometric techniques with empirical data, he provides deep insights into how financial systems and policy reforms can enhance economic stability and inclusive growth. His scholarly contributions, published in leading international journals such as Review of Development Economics, Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, and Social System Studies, highlight his ability to translate complex economic theories into actionable policy recommendations. In addition to his work on remittances, Dr. Islam’s research extends to central banking, macroeconomic management, and digital finance, where he emphasizes the role of technology and innovation in strengthening financial systems. His analytical proficiency with statistical software such as STATA, E-Views, and R supports his data-driven approach to research, allowing him to contribute meaningfully to evidence-based policy formulation. Through his academic and professional endeavors, Dr. Islam continues to advance the discourse on sustainable economic development, governance, and financial resilience, positioning himself as a thought leader in applied economics and policy innovation.

Profiles: ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Islam, M. R., & Lee, K. K. (2025). Do foreign remittances fuel or fight against corruption? Evidence from developing countries. Review of Development Economics.

  2. Islam, M. R., & Lee, K. K. (2024). Dynamics of remittances on household well-being in Bangladesh: Does regional migration matter? 社会システム研究, 85.

  3. Islam, M. R., & Lee, K. K. (2023). Do foreign remittances promote democracy? A dynamic panel study of developing countries. Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, 64(1), 59–85.

  4. Islam, M. R. (2021). The impact of foreign remittances on household income and poverty: Empirical evidence from Bangladesh. Asian Journal of International Studies, 57, 76.

  5. Rahman, A., Khatun, R., Hoque, M. R., Ashraf, S., Rahman, A., & Islam, M. R. (2020). An impact assessment study on special agricultural credit program at 4 percent concessional interest rate. Special Research Work (SRW) of Bangladesh Bank, 2001.

Dr. Md. Rubel Islam’s work bridges the gap between academic research and real-world economic policymaking by providing data-driven insights that enhance financial inclusion, governance, and monetary stability. His research on remittances and macroeconomic policy supports sustainable economic growth, empowering developing nations to build resilient financial systems and reduce poverty through innovative policy solutions.

Donal AJOUMESSI HOUMPE | Econometrics and Finance | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Donal AJOUMESSI HOUMPE | Econometrics and Finance | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at University of Dschang, Cameroon.

Ajooumessi Houmpe Donal is an emerging scholar whose research primarily focuses on the intersection of political leadership and economic development in developing countries. His work uniquely examines how the profiles of national leaders, particularly their professional backgrounds, influence innovation indicators such as R&D expenditures and patent applications. Ajooumessi’s innovative approach to analyzing the political leader theory in the context of innovation, specifically in developing nations, makes him a valuable contributor to the academic field of economics and public policy. His research has significant implications for policymakers, particularly in shaping national innovation strategies to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 9.

Professional Profile

Education

Ajooumessi Houmpe Donal holds an advanced degree in economics and political science, with a specialization in the impact of leadership on national economic performance. His educational background has provided him with a deep understanding of both the political and economic systems in developing countries, equipping him with the necessary analytical tools to pursue his research. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in quantitative methods and political theory, allowing him to design and conduct rigorous empirical research that connects leadership profiles to innovation outcomes.

Professional Experience

Throughout his career, Ajooumessi Houmpe Donal has gained extensive professional experience, particularly in the fields of economics and public policy. He has worked with various academic institutions and policy think tanks, where his research has focused on the economic development of developing countries. His experience has also involved collaborating with government agencies and international organizations to provide insights into the role of political leadership in shaping national innovation strategies. This professional experience has honed his skills in data analysis, policy evaluation, and leadership studies, making him an expert in his field.

Research Interests

Ajooumessi Houmpe Donal’s primary research interest lies in the influence of political leaders on innovation and economic development, particularly in developing countries. He explores the impact of leaders’ backgrounds, such as military or political affiliations, on national research and development (R&D) expenditures and patent applications. His work is grounded in political leader theory, and he is particularly interested in understanding how leaders’ professional experiences and political ideologies affect national economic policies. His research also touches on the broader themes of sustainable development, with a focus on how innovation can contribute to achieving global development goals.

Research Skills

Ajooumessi Houmpe Donal is skilled in advanced quantitative research methods, including the use of Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation to analyze large panels of data. He is proficient in econometric modeling and data analysis, enabling him to draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Additionally, he has expertise in applying political theory to empirical economic research, providing a unique approach to understanding the role of political leaders in shaping innovation outcomes. His ability to integrate economic, political, and technological variables into his analyses sets him apart as a versatile and impactful researcher.

Awards and Honors

Ajooumessi Houmpe Donal has received recognition for his significant contributions to the field of economics, particularly in the areas of innovation and leadership studies. Although details on specific awards and honors are not widely published, his groundbreaking research has garnered attention within academic and policy circles. His work, particularly on how political leader profiles affect innovation outcomes in developing countries, has been highly regarded in various academic conferences and journals. His research’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 9 further enhances his standing as an emerging leader in the field.

Conclusion

AJOUMESSI HOUMPE Donal’s research is highly innovative, methodologically rigorous, and relevant to both academic discourse and policy-making. His focus on the relationship between political leader profiles and innovation in developing countries provides valuable insights that could influence future policy decisions, particularly in relation to R&D funding and innovation. While there are some opportunities to deepen the contextual analysis and increase data transparency, the study’s overall contribution to the field, particularly its relevance to Sustainable Development Goal 9, makes it a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Publication Title: Political leader’s background and innovation in developing countries
    Authors: Donal, A.H., Eric Brice, N.F., Salomon Leroy, G.D.
    Journal: R and D Management, 2024
  2. Publication Title: The background of political leaders and capital flight: Evidence from Africa
    Authors: Donal, A.H.
    Journal: Journal of Government and Economics, 2023
    Volume: 9, Article 100068
    Citations: 4
  3. Publication Title: CO2 emission in Africa: national leader’s professional background effect
    Authors: Donal, A.H.
    Journal: Economics Bulletin, 2021
    Volume: 41(3), Pages 1501–1524
    Citations: 2