In the dynamic realm of finance and academia, one name stands out—Ravi Jagannathan. As the CME Group/John F. Sandner Chair of Finance at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Dr. Jagannathan has left an indelible mark on the landscape of asset pricing, capital markets, and financial institutions.
Born with a passion for understanding the intricacies of finance, Ravi Jagannathan embarked on his academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, University of Madras, in 1970.
His insatiable curiosity and commitment to excellence led him to earn an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, India, and later, a Ph.D. in Financial Economics from Carnegie Mellon University in 1983.
Ravi Jagannathan’s Academic Odyssey
His academic journey is a testament to his dedication and pursuit of knowledge. Starting as an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School in 1983, Ravi quickly ascended the ranks, holding key positions at renowned institutions like the University of Minnesota and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Today, Ravi Jagannathan proudly holds the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Distinguished Professor of Finance title at Kellogg, a position he has held since 1997. His commitment to education extends beyond borders, with special term professorships at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance and the Indian School of Business.
Contributions to Financial Research
Ravi Jagannathan’s influence reverberates in the corridors of financial research. In collaboration with Zhenyu Wang, he presented the financial world with the “conditional CAPM,” a variation of the capital asset pricing model, in 1996. This groundbreaking concept has found empirical support in recent studies on options prices.
Moreover, Ravi is celebrated for his work on the Hansen–Jagannathan bounds, providing a methodology to use security market data for constraining the volatility of the stochastic discount factor. His research interests span asset pricing, capital markets, portfolio performance appraisal, and financial institutions.
Global Recognition and Leadership
Beyond his academic achievements, Ravi Jagannathan has assumed leadership roles in prominent financial associations. He served as the President of the Society for Financial Econometrics, the Financial Intermediation Research Society, and the Society for Financial Studies.
Additionally, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the American Finance Association and the Western Finance Association.
His accolades include being a fellow of the Financial Management Association and receiving the prestigious Graham & Dodd, Murray, Greenwald Prize for Value Investing in 2014. Ravi’s contributions to the field have earned him international recognition, solidifying his status as a thought leader in financial economics.
Educational Legacy
Ravi Jagannathan’s commitment to education is not only evident in his illustrious career but also in his role as an educator. As a distinguished visiting professor and academic leader, he has influenced countless minds, shaping the future of finance and economics.
Also Read: Ashish Kumar Jha: The Global Influence in Public Health