Welcome to Fast Five: Rapid-fire, insightful interviews with GS students and alumni!
With degrees in economics and financial engineering, Arez Mardoukhi ‘11GS, ‘13ENG has built a career at the intersection of finance and technology and continues to shape this innovative field. Whether guiding new students through practical mathematical finance training in the Columbia Mathematics Department, or leading his own firm (Mardoukhi Capital Management, LP, an investment firm leveraging cutting-edge AI in optimizing investment strategies), Mardoukhi exemplifies the power of a GS education to fling open professional and intellectual doors.
Tell us your GS story in one sentence.
Stepping into the unknown—at the top university, in the top city, on the planet.
What is a stand-out memory from your time as a GS student?
One of my most memorable stories involves Dean Peter Awn. When I started dating one of my partners, she was taking a course with him. I kept showing up to her class and somehow kept losing my wallet on the seat. After every class, I’d run back—and there was Dean Awn always by the board, waiting for me with my wallet in hand.
How did GS help you achieve your career success?
GS gave me the platform to discover the financial engineering program, connect with its administrators, and develop the skills I needed to apply. It truly launched my career.
How do you continue to stay involved with Columbia communities after graduating?
I’ve never broken ties with Columbia. Whether interviewing prospective students as part of the admissions team or teaching, I’ve stayed engaged. Currently, I serve as the lead instructor for the Master of Arts Program in Mathematics with a specialization in the Mathematics of Finance (MAFN) bootcamp in the Department of Mathematics—a program I helped start from the ground up. I’m proud to guide incoming students as they prepare for careers in quantitative finance and on Wall Street.
What advice would you give to new GS alums?
Use the school. Being part of Columbia opens doors and opportunities. As I always tell my students: no one on this planet will ignore an email ending in columbia.edu.
