Meet the editors

Reza Gharoie Ahangar is a Ph.D. student in Decision Science with a minor in Economics and a teaching fellow and research assistant in G. Brint Ryan College of Business, University of North Texas, USA. He holds a BSc in Business Management, an MBA in Finance, an MSc in finance, and an MSc in Business Analytics. He is a member of the American Finance Association (AFA), Decision Sciences Institute (DSI), Production and

Operations Management Society (POMS), Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), and Association of Scientists, Developers, and Faculties (ASDF). Mr. Ahangar is a teaching assistant at UNT for six years and has authored eight books and book chapters as well as several journal and conference publications in finance and business analytics, with more than forty technical publications. His research works are cited by the top 0.1% of most-read authors in academia. He serves as an editorial board member for several scientific journals. His current research interests include investment, forecasting, optimization, FinTech, and the application of artificial intelligence in financial areas.

Professor Asma Salman is a blockchain developer and Professor of Finance at the American University in the Emirates, UAE. An Honorary Global Advisor at the Global Academy of Finance and Management, USA, she completed her MBA in Finance and Accounting and earned a Ph.D. in Finance from an AACSB member, AMBA accredited, School of Management at Harbin Institute of Technology, China. Her research credentials include

a one-year residency at the Brunel Business School, Brunel University, UK. Prof. Salman also served as the Dubai Cohort supervisor for DBA students under the Nottingham Business School, UK, for seven years and is currently a Ph.D. supervisor at the University of Northampton, UK, where she is a visiting fellow. She also served on the Board of Etihad Airlines during 2019–2020. One of her recent articles on "Bitcoin and Blockchain" gained wide visibility and she is an active speaker on Fintech, blockchain, and crypto events around the GCC. She holds various professional certifications including Chartered Fintech Professional (USA), Certified Financial Manager (USA), Women in Leadership and Management in Higher Education, (UK), and Taxation GCC VAT Compliance, (UK). She recently won an award for "Blockchain Trainer of the Year" from Berkeley Middle East. Other recognitions include the Women Leadership Impact Award by H.E First Lady of Armenia, Research Excellence Award, and the Global Inspirational Women Leadership Award by H.H Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum.

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