Meet Christoph Frei: Incoming chair of the Department of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences

On July 1, 2022, Christoph Frei took on the role of interim chair of the Department of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences for a one-year term. 

As a professor in the department, Frei’s research is in quantitative finance, mathematical economics, and risk management. Frei joined the University of Alberta in 2010, and before that worked as a researcher at École Polytechnique in Paris. In addition to his research, Frei contributed substantially to the undergraduate and graduate student experience. He developed a calculus stream for business and economics, and established links to the finance and risk industry. On the graduate level, he was the main organizer of a Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Science summer school and served as the associate chair (graduate studies) of the department during the past year. 

Hear from Frei on his research interests at the alignment of mathematics, finance and economics, favourite courses to teach, and opportunities facing the department over the next year.

Tell us about the focus of your research program.

My research interests are in quantitative finance, mathematical economics, and risk management. In brief, I am using and developing mathematical and statistical methods, which I apply to problems from finance and economics. The questions that I am studying deal with the analysis of risk and the structure of financial markets, including how financial technology transforms them. The methods that I am applying often come from stochastic analysis, probability theory, and machine learning. My research deals with both theoretical questions and applied problems from the financial industry.

What is your favourite course to teach?

My favourite undergraduate course to teach is MATH 156 (Calculus for Business and Economics II), which is the second course in the calculus sequence with applications in business and economics. I love it when students realize that the mathematics they are learning relates to business and economics questions and can be used to solve them. I also enjoy teaching MATH 408/508 (Computational Finance), which is close to my research area. The course combines finance theory, numerical methods, and programming.

What is the biggest strength/opportunity that you see for the department in the next year?

Regardless of the time horizon, the department's biggest strength is the passion that our members have for mathematics and statistics. An opportunity for next year is to start making select hirings.

What is your first memory at the U of A?

When I had my job interview at the U of A twelve years ago, CCIS was under construction, and the Dean's Office was temporarily moved to the Biological Sciences Building, which is known for its weird layout. After a frantic search, I found the Dean's Office and, in the end, got the position offered.

What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?

I helped with the logistics of the European Soccer Championship in 2008.

Where is your favourite place on campus?

The Main Quad, both in summer sitting on the benches in front of CAB and in winter seeing the lightened trees.

If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?

If I had more time, I would be interested in a course complementary to my research interests, such as economic history.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Be you and follow your ambitions.