Personalizing Finance with Robot Advisers
Meet economics major Rafael Torres.
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Thesis adviser: Prof. Lindsey K. Novak [economics]
Thesis: “How Can Digital Advisors Cater to Loss-Averse Investors?”
What it’s about: How to distinguish loss-averse investors from risk-averse investors for digital advisers and designing investment strategy recommendations tailored to their distinct risk profiles and preferences.
What it’s really about: How can we personalize financial services using a robot adviser for people afraid of losing money?
In high school: I was curious and confident. My curiosity encouraged me to think deeper about how the world worked, physically and socially. My confidence allowed me to relentlessly ask my mentors in life those mind-boggling questions that I could not figure out on my own. This wombo-combo was my secret sauce in high school and is still applied today.
Influential Reed professor: Jon Rork [economics] is who I aspire to be. A polymath individual that breaks down complex problems of any topic into bite-sized servings that become easy to understand and digest.
Groups or clubs: Peer Mentor Program, Pool Hall, Reed Basketball Club, Reed Finance and Investment Club.
Cool stuff: First of many NBA games, white water rafting (highly recommend!), surfing on the coast, DJ DON RAFA was born, and zumba.
Influential book: Dean Young’s ’16 thesis “Myopic Loss Aversion in Investment Behavior.” I found it influential not only because reading their thesis inspired my thesis but also because of the amount of work put on display when reading it. This showed me that the only limitations that can be placed on myself is myself.
Concept that blew my mind: Did you know that everything is a spring?!
Challenges faced: Reed is an academically challenging institution. I switched majors after pursuing physics for three years because I failed both attempts at the junior qualification exam, and I was no longer allowed to graduate from Reed College with a degree in physics. I overcame this obstacle by pivoting, persevering, and becoming a first-generation college graduate of economics.
How Reed changed me: Reed reinforced my curiosity and confidence as the students, faculty, and staff created an environment that encouraged deep learning among our community of intellectuals.
Help received along the way: I was provided financial aid and that made my dream of going to college out of state possible! Reed College truly made my dream come true.
What’s next: I’ll be the change that I want to see in my community.
Tags: Academics, Students, Thesis, What is a Reedie?