![student in library](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_4_3_413px_fallback/public/2022-08/research%203.jpg?itok=_80o4NAY)
The Darden Ph.D. Program
Ph.D. - Data Analytics and Decision Sciences
Data Analytics and Decision Sciences
Research in Data Analytics and Decision Sciences is focused on mathematical methodology with business applications and includes:
- Dynamic programming
- Game theory
- Mechanism design
- Machine learning
- Optimization
- Search theory
- Wisdom of crowds
- Forecasting
- Decision analysis
- Pricing and revenue management
- Behavioral models of human decision making
Students will be required to take a few core courses but also have the freedom to choose from the many Ph.D. courses that the UVA campus offers, and are encouraged to follow their interests and expand their knowledge. Whatever portfolio they choose, students are expected to be strong in several areas of fundamental theory (e.g., real analysis, probability theory, micro-economics, game theory, decision theory, optimization) as well as methods (e.g., statistics, econometrics, experimental design, coding), so that they can begin exploring novel research questions by the middle of their second year. There is no requirement for prior experience in business applications. Students with a strong quantitative background can be taught all the necessary skills for success in academic research.
Data Analytics and Decision Sciences
![Michael Albert](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2022-08/Michael-Albert-250x250IMGM0025.jpeg?itok=KWu-HlSP)
Michael Albert
Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Mechanism Design, Machine Learning
![saed](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2024-05/Saed%20Alizamir%20BW2_0.jpg?itok=HKKbG1ix)
Saed Alizamir
Associate Professor of Business Administration
![JA](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2024-05/joe-andrasko_1440_0.jpg?itok=YyzilJV5)
Joe Andrasko
Professor of Practice
![Manel Baucells](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2022-08/faculty-baucells-manel-180px.jpeg?itok=lCGz_B4H)
Manel Baucells
David M. LaCross Associate Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Prescriptive and Descriptive Decision Theory, Behavioral Models of Human Decision Making
![Max Biggs](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2022-08/faculty-biggs-max-180px.jpeg?itok=w-4nFUNt)
Max Biggs
Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Data-driven Optimization, Machine Learning, Pricing
![RC](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2024-05/Robert%20Carraway%20%288%29_1800x1800_BW_0.jpg?itok=OUwFHnwW)
Robert L. Carraway
Yiorgos Allayannis Distinguished Associate Professor of Business Administration
![AC](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2024-05/Alex-Cowan_faculty-bio_1x1_0.jpg?itok=UTl_cu9J)
Alex Cowan
Academic General Faculty
![Rupert Freeman](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2022-08/faculty-freeman-rupert-180px.jpeg?itok=vGsHKjCI)
Rupert Freeman
Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Computational Social Choice, Fair Division, Resource Allocation, Prediction Mechanisms
![yael](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2024-05/Yael-Grushka-Cockayne_faculty-bio_1x1.jpg?itok=QmQMovhK)
Yael Grushka-Cockayne
Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Forecasting, Forecast Aggregation, Project Management, Data Science for Business
![Dana Popescu](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2022-08/Dana%20Popescu_IMGS0846.jpeg?itok=NE90zr9o)
Dana Popescu
Associate Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Pricing Optimization, Revenue Management and Demand Forecasting
![Saša Zorc](/sites/default/files/styles/simple_profile_image_200px_1_1_/public/2022-08/faculty-zorc-sasa-180px.jpeg?itok=GYmkVc8x)