Stephen F. Austin State University economics students in the Rusche College of Business presented research at the 13th Economics Scholars Program Conference for Undergraduate Research. Pictured from left are Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev, chair of SFA’s Department of Economics and Finance; Dr. Rebecca Davis, assistant professor; economics students Seraiah Scamardo; Madalyn Kirk; Miguel Silva; and David Ajiga; and Dr. Stephen Kosovich, associate professor.
“The event provided SFA students with the opportunity to experience a real-life academic conference,” said Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev, professor and chair of SFA’s Department of Economics and Finance. “Students were taken out of their comfort zones and challenged to present their work in an unfamiliar environment as well as interact with others working on research projects.”
Miguel Silva and Seraiah Scamardo, both senior economics majors, presented their research in a poster session, while junior Madalyn Kirk and senior David Ajiga served as discussants, providing commentary on research presented by others.
Silva’s presentation focused on movie box office revenues. It examined the degree to which receiving an Oscar nomination or winning an Academy Award affects the film’s gross box office revenues. Scamardo’s research discussed whether firearm purchases increase following news of mass shootings.
Kouliavtsev attended the conference with colleagues Dr. Stephen Kosovich, associate professor, and Dr. Rebecca Davis, assistant professor.
By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
