Ali Jafarzadeh (PhDFin’28)
As doctoral candidate Ali Jafarzadeh completes his third year at Leeds, his academic interests and long-term goals are coming into sharper focus. He chose to pursue a PhD in financial economics to study questions with real-world relevance. His dissertation examines corporate finance, innovation and creative destruction—how new technologies, products and business models replace less efficient ones and shape economic outcomes. His work draws on both social science and his background in engineering.
“I wanted to learn more deeply about how economic systems—and, more broadly, societies—work,” Jafarzadeh said. “In economics, marginal analysis studies the incremental effects of decisions. That perspective led me to financial economics, where many of the most interesting decisions tend to be financial ones.”
“I wanted to learn more deeply about how economic systems—and, more broadly, societies—work.”
—Ali Jafarzadeh (PhDFin’28)
Using history to chart the future
Originally from Iran, Jafarzadeh completed his undergraduate degree in engineering at the University of Tehran before moving to the United States to pursue his doctorate. When reflecting on the decision to leave Iran in pursuit of his education, he often frames it through a historical lens—imagining what his life might have looked like had he lived centuries earlier.
“If I was a prince of Persia in the 18th century, I probably would have been sent to a good school in the West, and I would be paid to study something very important for the country. And that is exactly what I’m doing now,” he said.
“I want to understand how nations become prosperous, and that motivation comes from growing up in Iran—a country with so much potential yet so little growth,” Jafarzadeh added. “The situation in Iran is complex at the moment, but I believe that, at some point, there will be a transition to a more democratic and liberal system, creating opportunities for people like me to contribute meaningfully.”
After completing his doctorate, he hopes to return to Iran to contribute to his home country. His goal is to teach at the University of Tehran or pursue a path that allows him to have a broader social impact.
Celebrating culture and community
Beyond his academic work, Jafarzadeh has played an active role in strengthening the Persian community at CU Boulder. As president of the Iranian 鶹Ժ Organization, he has worked to create a space for people who share his identity to come together and celebrate their culture.
“Throughout this past year, I tried to make sure everyone in our community had a place to connect to talk with peers and celebrate our culture,” Jafarzadeh said. “When people go through difficult times, those with shared experiences understand each other much better. I saw it as a responsibility to help sustain that community. We have a deep, ancient history and a culture with meaningful traditions. I tried to respect that and keep it alive—even far from home.”
Graduate Student Excellence
In recognition of his academic achievement and leadership, Ali Jafarzadeh was awarded the 2026 Summer Graduate School Fellowship by the CU Boulder Graduate School. This selective, campuswide honor includes $7,500 in funding for exceptional doctoral scholars.
Balancing commitments
Balancing his dissertation, his role as president of the Iranian Student Organization, and family life has required Jafarzadeh to manage competing responsibilities. He views this as a skill that improves with practice, but it requires setting priorities and knowing when to seek support.
“Managing multiple commitments is something you learn over time,” he said. “There’s a balance to maintain, and when things become too complex, I don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
Support from friends, family and the broader community has shaped his experience in Boulder. He points to that network—along with time spent with his wife and their cat—as central to navigating the demands of doctoral study.
“My wife is incredibly supportive,” he said. “We both want the best for each other.”
For Jafarzadeh, a financial economist by training, the next step is clear: turning his vision into impact.