Ai Chatbot Site Developer
A project for Wharton's Professor Schweitzer is in need of software developers.
The project is a web app for non-technical users to create custom chatbots for negotiations and other types of text based interactions. The chatbots will be used for research and education purposes, and are powered by LLMs like OpenAl's GPT models.
Using AI to improve the environmental and nutritional efficacy of food subsidies
Food consumption is a key lever for enhancing human health and environmental sustainability on earth. Our goal in this research is to better understand and find effective approaches to jointly alleviate malnutrition and climate-change outcomes in developing countries. In-kind food subsidies are a primary policy intervention in economically underprivileged communities. However, despite the proven efficacy of machine learning and data analytics in various industries, these technologies have not been widely adopted to enhance the design and impact of such subsidies. We aim to bridge this gap: this study develops a method to design nutrition- and climate-targeted food programs i.e., we algorithmically decide which foods to subsidize to maximize the nutrition value and minimize the carbon footprint of a subsidy program. This project builds on extensive field data collection in an underserved community in India, which comprises a randomized controlled trial, collection of large-scale point-of-sale transaction data, and survey data. Our methodology will combine a predictive choice model based on machine learning techniques and an optimization algorithm. Through this research, we aim to offer policymakers a tangible, data-driven pathway to refine food subsidy schemes, achieving healthier populations and a reduced carbon footprint.
The undergraduate RA is expected to have strong proficiency in coding, and basic understanding of statistics and/or econometrics.
Shreya Srinivasan
Currently, my research interests lie in consumer retail, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, and I hope to look more into these fields and keep an open mind to others in the next couple of months. Additionally, I'm involved in the Consulting Committee of the Penn Social Entrepreneurship Movement and on the Finance Committee of the Wharton Retail Club on campus.
David Tran
My research interest lies at the intersection of commercial real estate and the construction industry, specifically in the labor relations process that governs how construction workers engage with contractors, developers, and unions. With the support of the University Scholars program and Dr. Peter Cappelli of the Wharton Management Department, I am currently pursuing independent research on the division of labor and employee relations within Philadelphia's construction industry and their effects on real estate projects. Beyond my research, I am actively involved with the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and the Wharton Management Club.
Samen Hossain
My research interests are in the realm of applied mathematics and economics, particularly utilizing models and equations to understand and predict the consequences of human behavior and other real-world phenomena. I am currently conducting research under the tutelage of Dr. O. W. Ibhagui on applying the monetary model of exchange rate determination in South America, expanding from a century-long analysis previously done in Europe post the Industrial Revolution. By looking at the long-term relationships of various economic factors, like money velocity and interest rate fixation, it lays out crucial insights into the economic stability of their currencies, which matters in measuring the effectiveness of existing measures and the benefits of international trade. Beyond research, I really enjoy watching basketball and football, especially looking into team and individual analytics. I also work with We Care Act, a youth-led non profit focusing on providing technology and education to underserved student communities, as we expand our operations beyond New York City to other states. On campus, I am currently on the Quantitative Finance Committee for WUFC and the Academic Journal Committee for the Wharton Undergraduate Statistics Journal.
- University Scholar
- Research Assistant at UAB under Dr. Shannon Starr
- Received Nationals at Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium
