About Professor Z

Dr. Zilong Liu (also known as professor Z) is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He brings over eight years of industry experience in quantitative risk management to the table, having held significant roles at Discover Financial Service, KeyBank National Association, US Bank, and PNC Financial Service.

In these roles, Dr. Liu demonstrated his prowess in developing and validating various risk models, employing advanced statistical modeling techniques and programming languages. In the classroom, Dr. Liu is a dedicated educator, ensuring his students are well-equipped for the evolving landscape of business risk and analytics. He seamlessly integrates practical applications with theoretical concepts, creating a holistic learning experience for his students.

Dr. Zilong Liu's research ambitiously explores the use of artificial intelligence within the realms of fintech, risk management, and financial services, concentrating on credit risk management and fair lending. His work includes developing machine learning models that predict credit risk accurately and crafting loss forecasting techniques that support unbiased financial decision-making, thereby aiming to provide equitable opportunities for underserved communities.