UH Hilo economist Amirhossein Mohammadian receives tenure and promotion
Associate Professor Mohammadian’s areas of expertise are in international economics, open-economy macroeconomics, money and banking, and applied econometrics.
By Susan Enright.
This story is part of a series on faculty who have recently received tenure and/or promotion.
Amirhossein Mohammadian, an associate professor of economics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, received tenure and promotion this year. The economist is based at UH Hilo’s College of Business and Economics.
“I am honored to receive tenure at UH Hilo, a milestone that represents not just job security, but also the trust and recognition from my colleagues,” says Mohammadian. “I view tenure as a responsibility to deepen my engagement with the university’s mission, contribute more to our community, and provide quality education to our students, all while enjoying greater freedom to explore research and focus on long-term projects.”
Mohammadian’s areas of expertise are in international economics, open-economy macroeconomics, money and banking, and applied econometrics. He received his master of science in economics from the University of Tehran in 2009, and his doctor of philosophy in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2018. He arrived at UH Hilo in 2019.
Teaching
Mohammadian teaches courses on macroeconomics, money and banking, quantitative forecasting, international finance, and econometrics. He says that as a teacher, he integrates diverse courses with real-world applications, helping students grasp complex economic concepts and become more economically and financially literate.
“This preparation empowers them to serve as informed leaders and active members of the community, capable of making decisions that positively impact society and the local economy,” he explains.
In fall of 2020, Mohammadian’s course on banking and money had a record number of students taking the class. The ECON 340 course covers the relationship of monetary system and price levels with employment and income, the nature and functions of money and banking, and the role of money in international trade and inflation. The course is a requirement for students earning a bachelor of business administration, but it also attracts students from other fields and even non-students. There were 52 student enrolled in the class.
The professor says he is not surprised that in this volatile and often-confusing era, students want to learn how economic systems work.
“Basically, every financial decision we make depends on what is happening in the financial markets,” says Mohammadian. “This course helps you gain a clear understanding of how financial markets work, how they are connected to each other, and the role of monetary policy.”
He says the course also gives students a glimpse behind the curtain at the impact the Federal Reserve, the central banking system of the United States, has on the economy.
“What I find even more interesting about this course is that we learn about the channel through which the Fed influences the banking system [and] financial markets, and as a result, our life, career, and economic well-being,” he explains.
“The knowledge you gain in this class will help you to make rational, thoughtful, and educated decisions for your financial plans based on current and future economic conditions.”
Research
Mohammadian’s current research focuses on the impacts of various types of policy uncertainty on economic indicators such as unemployment and trade flows at both national and state levels.
“My research provides valuable insights for policymakers, businesses, and individuals, guiding informed decisions that promote economic well-being,” he says.
Three recently published papers:
- Whose trade flows are affected by Global Policy Uncertainty? Asymmetric evidence from G7 (Journal of Economics and Finance, 2024)
- On the Link Between Policy Uncertainty and Domestic Production in G7 Countries: An Asymmetry Analysis (International Economic Journal, 2021)
- Who benefits from euro depreciation in the euro zone? (Empirica, 2019)
Two works are in progress: “Asymmetry effect of Policy Uncertainty on Trade Flows: Evidence from Asian Countries,” and “Does Trade Policy Uncertainty Have Asymmetric Effects on State-Level Unemployment Rates?”
Campus service
Mohammadian is highly active in committee work on campus, contributing to shaping academic policies and improving educational outcomes at UH Hilo, supporting the university’s mission.
He recently served as chair of the Academic Policy Committee and as the College of Business and Economics’ representative at the UH Faculty Congress. He is a current member of the Childcare ad-hoc Committee and the General Education Committee.
Pursuits
Looking to the future, Associate Professor Mohammadian aims to pursue further research and publications while also remaining committed to enhancing the quality of his teaching.
“My goal is to design and offer courses that better equip my students to serve their communities and advance their careers and personal lives,” he says. “All in all I am grateful for having the opportunity to play a role in educating future leaders of our community.”
Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
