Our Team
Dr. Ali Emdad
Executive Director of Research Centers
Dr. Ali Emdad is the Executive Director of Research Centers at Morgan State University’s Graves Business School in Baltimore, Maryland.
He is a forward-thinking academic and professional with a proven record at the intersection of business, finance, and technology. Guided by my motto, “Rethink Possible,” He advocates for innovation and inclusivity through spearheading curriculum development, research projects, conferences, research centers, and industry-academia collaborations. These efforts have enabled him to introduce numerous “Firsts,” underscoring his belief in the transformative power of technology across business fields.
He is the founding Director of the Center for the Study of Blockchain and Financial Technology (The FinTech Center) and the Center for Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research, both research centers at the forefront of innovation. Dr. Emdad has demonstrated the ability to seize opportunities in evolving, cutting-edge trends, scale initiatives that drive academic excellence, and deliver tangible social impact. His work bridges technology, business, and real-world applications, focusing on advancing data-driven solutions that address key societal challenges.
Previously, he served as Interim Dean and Associate Dean of the Graves Business School and as the founding Chair of the Department of Information Science and Systems, where he led the creation of new academic programs, including a B.S. in Supply Chain Management, a Master of Science in Project Management, and a Ph.D. track in Information Systems. Before joining academia, he worked at Kennecott Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. He has established strong partnerships with industry and government agencies to bring significant funding to Morgan State University.
A 2007 Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Emdad has been recognized with Morgan State University’s Iva G. Jones Medallion for outstanding teaching, research, and service. He holds a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and has completed executive education programs at Harvard, Yale, and MIT. His leadership philosophy centers on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing data-driven innovation, and creating sustainable, high-impact programs that benefit academia and industry.
He is a forward-thinking academic and professional with a proven record at the intersection of business, finance, and technology. Guided by my motto, “Rethink Possible,” He advocates for innovation and inclusivity through spearheading curriculum development, research projects, conferences, research centers, and industry-academia collaborations. These efforts have enabled him to introduce numerous “Firsts,” underscoring his belief in the transformative power of technology across business fields.
He is the founding Director of the Center for the Study of Blockchain and Financial Technology (The FinTech Center) and the Center for Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research, both research centers at the forefront of innovation. Dr. Emdad has demonstrated the ability to seize opportunities in evolving, cutting-edge trends, scale initiatives that drive academic excellence, and deliver tangible social impact. His work bridges technology, business, and real-world applications, focusing on advancing data-driven solutions that address key societal challenges.
Previously, he served as Interim Dean and Associate Dean of the Graves Business School and as the founding Chair of the Department of Information Science and Systems, where he led the creation of new academic programs, including a B.S. in Supply Chain Management, a Master of Science in Project Management, and a Ph.D. track in Information Systems. Before joining academia, he worked at Kennecott Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. He has established strong partnerships with industry and government agencies to bring significant funding to Morgan State University.
A 2007 Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Emdad has been recognized with Morgan State University’s Iva G. Jones Medallion for outstanding teaching, research, and service. He holds a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and has completed executive education programs at Harvard, Yale, and MIT. His leadership philosophy centers on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing data-driven innovation, and creating sustainable, high-impact programs that benefit academia and industry.