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D.D. Monieson Doctoral Fellowship

Established in memory of Professor Emeritus D.D. Monieson. Awarded to PhD students in Smith School of Business based on academic excellence and a thesis topic that contributes to our usable knowledge of a business issue of contemporary importance. Selection will be made by the Smith PhD/MSc Awards Adjudication Committee.

Latest Recipients

Milad Mirzaee

Milad Mirzaee

Where is your hometown?

I was born and raised in Bojnurd, a city in northeastern Iran, similar in size to Kingston. I lived there until I was 17, when I moved to Tehran—the capital of Iran—to pursue my studies.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

To pursue my PhD, I decided to study abroad and chose Canada for its multicultural environment and welcoming academic community. Among Canadian universities, I selected Smith School of Business because of its diverse student and faculty backgrounds, exceptional research opportunities, and strong reputation in the field of business analytics. During my first interview with my supervisor, Professor Guang Li, I was deeply impressed by her insightful perspective and the school’s collaborative research environment. The combination of top-notch research and supportive faculty made Smith the ideal place for me to continue my studies.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

My favourite experience at Queen’s has been working with my supervisor, Professor Guang Li. From the very first day, she has been incredibly patient, even when I asked what felt like a simple or naive question. Whenever I needed help, she was always there to provide guidance and support. Her mentorship has not only helped me grow as a researcher, but has also made my PhD journey much more rewarding.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

Before starting my PhD in Business Analytics, I worked in industry, where I developed a strong interest in using data to solve practical problems. After completing my PhD, I plan to return to industry, where I can apply my advanced research skills to make a greater impact. With the knowledge and experience I’ve gained during my time at Queen’s, I’m excited to contribute to data-driven projects that drive innovation and create real value for businesses.

What is one interesting fact about you?

I love solving puzzles and spend time each day working on them. I find the process of breaking down complex problems and discovering patterns both fun and rewarding. It’s a hobby that reflects my passion for problem-solving in my academic and professional work.

Research Overview

Incorporating Customer Behavior Insights into Revenue Management

Milad’s research in Revenue Management (RM) addresses key limitations in traditional Discrete Choice Models (DCMs) by integrating practical insights from his industry experience. His work focuses on three critical areas: incorporating multi-item purchase behavior to improve assortment, pricing, and inventory decisions; addressing the paradox of choice by balancing the benefits of variety with the challenges of decision overload; and developing a novel algorithm under the Mixed Multinomial Logit (MMNL) framework to account for customer heterogeneity in joint pricing and assortment optimization. By bridging theoretical advancements with real-world applications, Milad’s research offers innovative solutions to enhance business decision-making, and drive meaningful improvements in RM practices.

Ali Ahmadi

Ali Ahmadi

Where is your hometown?

I was born and raised in northern Iran, in the city of Sari, nestled along the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. My academic journey began with a foundation in mathematics and physics during high school, followed by a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and later an MBA in Strategy. Three and a half years ago, I embarked on a new chapter by immigrating to Canada to pursue a Ph.D., a step that has allowed me to chase my dream of becoming a researcher in strategic management.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

My decision to join the Ph.D. program at Smith School of Business was driven by my deep admiration for the research of Professor Andrevski. His work had already shaped my own research interests, so the opportunity to have him as my supervisor was both thrilling and humbling. He and his colleagues are pioneering in shaping what we know of strategy and strategy-making in inter-firm rivalry.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

One of my most cherished experiences at Queen’s has been collaborating on a research project from its very inception to the revision stage, alongside a former Queen’s Ph.D. student—someone I had long admired. Now a professor in North Carolina, he has not only been a mentor but has also become a research colleague with whom I continue to work with on exciting projects.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

Looking ahead, my primary aspiration is to pursue an academic career, and I am currently applying for assistant professor positions across Canada. However, as an international student from Iran, the academic job market presents significant challenges. With U.S. opportunities largely inaccessible due to visa restrictions and the Canadian market favouring citizens and permanent residents, the path is undoubtedly competitive. Yet, I remain confident in my ability to navigate these obstacles. Beyond academia, my research holds profound practical implications. I envision businesses and public institutions leveraging our model of competitive surprise to enhance their strategic and tactical planning. In the long run, I see potential in translating this research into a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic decision-making for organizations.

What is one interesting fact about you?

An interesting fact about me is my deep connection to languages. Growing up in a diverse cultural environment with multiple languages spoken at the same time, I developed a passion for linguistics and have learned more than six languages. This year, I embarked on a new challenge—learning French—and I am currently preparing for the TCF exam, aiming for a B2 certification this Summer.

Research Overview

Ali’s dissertation research explores competitive surprises — unexpected actions initiated by a competitor that cause a sense of astonishment, confusion, or threat. These actions can disrupt competitors, delay their responses, and create significant competitive advantages. Despite their prevalence, competitive surprises remain understudied in management research, particularly regarding how firms initiate and respond to them. In his dissertation, he developed a definition, a typology, and a theoretical framework, followed by creating a measure of competitive surprise and conducting an empirical analysis using large datasets, while also contributing as a second author to two side research projects beyond his primary dissertation work.