The Initiative, which is led by three UConn business professors with deep roots in business innovation and analysis, is available for industry partnerships, research, and workforce development.

“The passing of professors CF Sirmans and John Harding, within days of each other, has left a void in the real estate academic community that will never be filled,’’ said Chinmoy Ghosh, head of the Finance Department. “Both were great scholars and colleagues and personal friends. I consider myself most fortunate and grateful for knowing these two great human beings so closely.’’

“These students are so knowledgeable, bright, thoughtful and inquisitive,’’ said Jon Moore, executive director of the Digital Frontiers Initiative. “They really are going to shape the future of technology and business.’’

'Visiting the Federal Reserve, for an economist, is like a doctor visiting the top hospital in the country'

The Deloitte Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 Fellowship to Zhang. The honor is presented annually to just 10 top accounting doctoral students across the country who plan to pursue academic careers upon graduation. Doctoral students from more than 100 universities are invited to apply for the fellowship, which is awarded by a committee of top accounting educators.