Quantitative Finance and Risk Management
Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2025
Location: Room 270, Gross Hall
Session 1: (10:05–11:20 a.m.)
Session 2: (1:25–2:40 p.m.)
The Quantitative Finance Certificate (QFC) program welcomes Dr. Lauren Wong, Managing Director and Head of Quantitative Risk Management at the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), for two guest lectures.
In his first session with students in Math/IDS 789 (10:05–11:20 a.m.), Dr. Wong will discuss his career journey from condensed matter physics to finance, sharing perspectives on the evolving landscape of quantitative finance as technology continues to reshape the industry.
Later in the day, during Math 585 (1:25–2:40 p.m.), Dr. Wong will delve into options markets and risk management, highlighting key challenges and innovations in today’s volatile market environment.
As the world’s largest options clearer, OCC plays a critical role in global financial stability. Dr. Wong leads the firm’s quantitative risk management functions, overseeing model development, implementation, and governance. Before joining OCC, he held senior quantitative roles at Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, following an early career in the technology sector after earning his Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from UCLA.
Both sessions promise valuable insights for students interested in careers at the intersection of finance, data science, and technology.