About the Lab
In recent years, world financial markets have grown exponentially in size and exposure. With increasing globalization, market and company developments require rapid, accurate, and sophisticated in-depth analysis. To enhance its competitiveness in this environment and to further its reputation for academic excellence, the Rotman School of Management has developed the BMO Financial Group Finance Research and Trading Lab. This high-tech facility enables students, faculty and staff to interact with the global financial community and its resources in a real-time setting.
For training sessions, the Lab
has 71 dual flat panel stations equipped with Factset, S&P Capital IQ, and real-time data feeds, six Bloomberg
terminals, two media/data awalls and an
integrated sound system. In addition, the Lab has a growing stock of custom-designed
applications software. For example, trading and risk management simulations are
conducted using Rotman Interactive Trader; and
portfolio management training using Rotman Portfolio Manager.
Research databases include NYSE's TAQ, TSE (CFRMC), Compustat, CRSP, and Datastream.
Students' training will be enhanced by providing access to worldwide information on fundamentals, research, news and prices, as well as by using industry applications.
This allows students to implement the material they are learning in the classroom.
In addition, according to Founding Director Tom McCurdy, "a primary objective of the Lab is for participants to learn how to make
good financial decisions in complex environments taking account of, and managing, uncertainty about the future. Our simulation-based learning applications are designed to
achieve this objective. For example, our RIT cases provide an opportunity for students to learn how to develop robust strategies that work well across the whole range of potential outcomes.
Our learning-by-doing approach is a foundation for learning how to learn which supports life-long learning and innovation."
This state-of-the-art
multi-function laboratory creates new opportunities for training,
teaching, research, product and curriculum development. The Finance
Lab provides a focal point for research and training in a range of
financial disciplines including: investment strategy and portfolio
management; financial engineering and risk management; trading; and
analysis of the microstructure of markets.
Tom McCurdy (Academic Director)
Professor of Finance,
Lab Founder and Academic Director
Eric Kang (Senior Research Associate)
Eric is an alumnus of the University of Toronto Rotman Commerce program. He was initially a lab assistant at the Finance Lab for previous years. His experience includes an analyst role at Business Development Asia LLC, a mid-market investment banking firm specialized in cross border M&A transactions. He served his military duty as a riot police sergeant in Korea.
Lab Assistants 2017 - 2018
The lab assistant team is dedicated to helping students use the various financial programs and software available at the lab stations. Each of the lab assistants has a specialized role that keeps the lab functioning in an efficient manner, as identified below. Lab assistants are available at the lab from 9:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m from Monday through Friday, feel free to approach any on-duty lab assistant if you have any questions or concerns related to lab resources.
Mansour Dia
Co-head Lab Assistant
Mansour is a fouth year student at Rotman Commerce, specializing in Finance & Economics. He enjoys playing soccer and travelling.
Saarah Sheikh
Co-head Lab Assistant
Saarah is a third year Rotman Commerce student specializing in Finance & Economics. She loves singing, travelling, and dancing. Outside the lab, you can find Saarah exploring the city with her friends.
Cavelle Van Nest
Lab Assistant - Rotman International Trading Competition Event Co-Organizer
Cavelle is a fouth year student specializing in Finance & Economics. She enjoys all kinds of sports, meeting new people, and exploring Toronto and the world.
Judson Asiruwa
Lab Assistant - Rotman International Trading Competition Event Co-Organizer
Annie Sun
Lab Assistant - Competition Manager
Annie is a fourth year student at Rotman Commerce, specializing in Finance & Economics. She enjoys taking photographs and exploring the city with friends.
Jessica Leung
Lab Assistant - RIT Quality Assurance
Jessica is a fourth year Engineering Science student majoring in Mathematics, Statistics, and Finance. She likes yoga, vegetables, and good design.
Zena Xing
Lab Assistant - RPM Quality Assurance
Zena is a third year student specializing in Finance and Economics at Rotman Commerce. In her spare time, Zena likes to plan events, practice piano and explore the outdoors.
Milliene Xu
Lab Assistant - Factset/Bloomberg Product Specialist
Tianquan Wang
Lab Assistant - Research Database Specialist
Tianquan is a fourth year student specializing in Finance & Economics at Rotman Commerce. He is passionate about all things sports, the market, and long walks along Toronto's lake shore.
Jacky Liu
Lab Assistant - Senior Lab Technology Specialist
Jacky is a third year student specializing in Finance & Economics at Rotman Commerce. He enjoys playing basketball and competitive e-sports games.
Mary Li
Lab Assistant - Capital IQ Specialist
Jack Chen
Lab Assistant - Lab Technology Specialist
William Rodgers
Lab Assistant - Lab Technology Specialist
Tony Ye
Lab Assistant - Lab Development Specialist
Tony is in his fourth year of the Engineering Science program, majoring in Math, Statistics, and Finance. He is an avid swimmer and a competitive tennis player, and likes to experience new cultures by living in different countries.
Amy Xiao
Lab Assistant - Lab Development Specialist
Jasper Chan
Jasper Chan is an alumnus of the University of Toronto Engineering Science program. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in physics at the California Institute of Technology. He is the programmer behind both Rotman Interactive Trader and Rotman Portfolio Manager.
Lab Alumni
If you are a Finance Lab alumnus but do not see yourself on this page, please e-mail one of the co-head lab assistants (sergey.sapelnyk@mail.utoronto.ca or mansour.dia@mail.utoronto.ca) and you will promptly be added to this page.
2017
Li, Esther
Wang, Vincent
Contact:
vincentyc.wang@mail.utoronto.ca
Employment:
Shanghai Tang He Investment Management - Founding Principal
Karker, Radhika
Dai, David
Contact:
dave.dai@clsa.com
Employment:
Regional Head of Utilities research at Credit Suisse based in Hong Kong- RSM 2302 - Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
- RSM 2303 - Risk Modelling and Financial Trading Strategies
- RSM 2306 - Options and Futures Markets
- RSM 2310 - Analysis of Fixed Income Securities
- RSM 2315 - Value Investing
- RSM 2317 - Applied Portfolio Management
- RSM 4318 - Applied Portfolio Management
- RSM 4319 - Forecasting Risks and Opportunities for Financial Securities
- RSM 6302 - Financial Markets, Risk, and Institutions
- RSM 6304 - Operational Risk
- RSM 6306 - Probabilistic Modelling for Risk-Informed Decisions
- MMF 1920 - Investment and Finance
- RSM 230 - Financial Markets
- RSM 330 - Investments
- RSM 333 - Corporate Finance
- RSM 361 - Human Resource Management
- RSM 430 - Analysis of Fixed Income Securities
- RSM 432 - Risk Management for Financial Managers
- RSM 434 - Financial Trading Strategies
- RSM 435 - Futures and Options Markets
- JRE300 - Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance
- Masters of Financial Risk Management MATLAB Sessions
- Microsoft Excel Training
- Masters of Finance VBA Training
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
The following courses integrate the Rotman Finance Lab in their lectures and assignments: