On Monday, March 31, the Center for Emerging Markets (CEM) welcomed over 25 students from across Northeastern University to its inaugural Student Research Expo on Emerging Markets, where six student and team finalists presented their research on a diverse range of economic, financial, technological, and social issues in emerging markets across the globe. The finalists had the opportunity to showcase their work to an engaged audience of peers, faculty, and staff, fostering dialogue on innovative ideas and global challenges.
Five CEM Faculty Fellows served as judges, offering constructive feedback to the finalists and recognizing Edward “Teddy” Hunter, DMSB '25, as the Best Research Poster winner for his outstanding work on entrepreneurial resilience and economic recovery in emerging markets.
Following the poster session, attendees gained valuable insights from a thought-provoking panel discussion on how AI is shaping opportunities and challenges for emerging markets in the global business landscape. The panel featured David De Cremer, Dunton Family Dean of the D'Amore-McKim School of Business; Loredana Padurean, Associate Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation; and Bruce Clark, Associate Professor of Marketing. Their perspectives highlighted the transformative power of AI while addressing its implications for businesses in developing economies.
The success of the expo was driven by an exceptional team of undergraduate organizers who championed the event: Brenda Belgamo, DMSB '26; Brecker Ferguson, DMSB/COS '25; Anjali Laddha, DMSB '26; Lia Lezcz, DMSB '27; Paulina Madero, DMSB '25; and Henry Tolleston, DMSB '27. CEM Faculty Fellow and Assistant Teaching Professor of International Business & Strategy, Larissa Marchiori Pacheco, provided invaluable leadership to this team over the past three months to ensure its seamless execution.
CEM also celebrated the achievements of four graduating seniors at the close of the expo, recognizing their dedication and contributions to emerging markets research and student programming throughout their time at Northeastern. Santiago Forster, DMSB '25; Brecker Ferguson, DMSB '25; Edward “Teddy” Hunter, DMSB '25; and Carolina Pacheco-Balcazar, CSSH '25 were honored as CEM Student Fellows, a distinction that reflects their impact on the Center and the broader Northeastern community as CEM Student Associates.
The success of the event would not have been possible without the evaluations and expertise of our faculty judges: Kunyuan Qiao, Nikki James, Kevin Chuah, Gaston de Los Reyes, and Zhenyu Liao. Their guidance and commitment to fostering student research in emerging markets played a pivotal role in the event's success.
CEM is excited to continue providing opportunities for students to explore critical issues in emerging markets and showcase their research to the broader Northeastern community in the years to come. We look forward to building on the success of this year's expo and inspiring even more students to engage with global challenges.
