Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics

Hugo Montesinos-Yufa
Hugo Montesinos-Yufa

Hugo Moises Montesinos-Yufa

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” -Henry Ford

I was born and raised in Venezuela, where I studied industrial (production) engineering and earned a Ph.D. in engineering with a concentration in statistics. In 2013, I was a professor at Universidad Simon Bolivar (USB) and the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administracion (IESA), both located in Caracas, Venezuela. At USB, I broadly taught in the areas of industrial engineering, quality control, probability, and statistics. At IESA, I mostly taught quantitative methods, business statistics, and research methods.

In 2014, I moved to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in economics with a concentration in economic development at Florida State University (FSU). Given the difficult situation in Venezuela, life was giving me a big opportunity, and I took it! At first, it was a challenge to be a student again, but at the end, I did so successfully and enjoyed one of the most remarkable periods of my life. I learned a lot, improved my research, and practiced some old hobbies like playing guitar, rollerblading, and playing table tennis (I was in the FSU Table Tennis team and participated in several national and regional competitions). I also had the immense privilege to closely work with my FSU advisor, James Gwartney.

On August 19 of 2019, I successfully defended my dissertation at FSU, culminating this “second” stage as a student. On the next day I started teaching activities at Ursinus College, PA, USA. I am currently an assistant professor of Statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Ursinus College. After leaving my parents, extended family, and friends in Venezuela, I have been incredibly blessed to have found my wonderful wife, the love of my life, and a wonderful job both at the same place and time.

Department

Mathematics and Computer Science

Degrees

  • Ph.D. in Economics, Florida State University
  • Ph.D. in Engineering, Universidad Simon Bolivar
  • Master of Science, Universidad Simon Bolivar
  • Bachelor of Science, Universidad Simon Bolivar

Teaching

  • Probability (Math 341)
  • Biostatistics (Stat 243)
  • Mathematical Statistics (Math 442)
  • Applied Regression Models (Stat 342)

Research Interests

Statistics, Econometrics, Economic Development, Political Economy, Business Analytics, Data Science, Finance, Actuarial Science, Risk Management and Insurance

Recent Work

“Long term absence of invasive breast cancer diagnosis in 2,402,672 pre and postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” (with Winnifred Cutler, James Kolter, Catherine Chambliss, and Heather O’Neill). PLOS One. September 2020. 

“The Transportation-Communication Revolution: 50 Years of Dramatic Change in Economic Development” (with Joe Connors and James Gwartney). The Cato Journal. Vol 40(1). Pages 153-198. Abstract

“The Effect of Damage Cap Reforms on Medical Malpractice Insurance Market Conditions during Periods of Crises” (with Patricia H. Born and J. Brad Karl). The Journal of Risk and Insurance. December 2019, Vol 86, Issue 4, pages 1045-1071. 

“Ultrasound your NPO: Effect of body mass index on gastric volume in term pregnant women–Retrospective Case Series.” (with Efrain Riveros-Perez, Sherwin Davoud, Maria Gabriela Sanchez, and Alexander Rocuts. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. December 2019. Vol 48, pages 95-98. 

“The Rise and Fall of Worldwide Income Inequality, 1820-2035”. Invited Talk at Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala). August 2019.

“The Ethics of Socialism. Understanding the Case of Venezuela: An Approach Based on Economic Freedom.” Invited talk at Florida State University. March 2019.

Presentations

Southern Economic Association November 24, 2019
Invited Talk at Appalachian State University: Forthcoming, Spring of 2020. Topic, TBA.