Financial Math graduate students win regional Risk Management Challenge

A team of students from the University of Chicago’s Financial Mathematics program placed first in the regional Risk Management Challenge, which the Professional Risk Manager International Association held in Chicago on Friday, Feb. 7.

The team, consisting of Helene Sajer, Eric Hendries, James Peters and Jakob Sorenson, competed against 91 teams that included 340 students from 38 U.S. colleges and universities. “Their hard work advanced them to the international championship in Toronto, Canada, where they will represent the University of Chicago and apply their quantitative skills to explore risk in order to solve business problems,” said Kevin Corlette, professor in mathematics and director of UChicago’s Financial Mathematics program.

The UChicago team will compete on Friday, Feb. 28 in Toronto, for a $9,100 cash award against winning teams from participating chapters in Dublin, London, Montreal, New York, Toronto and Vancouver.

The PRMIA Risk Management Challenge provides undergraduate and graduate students from multiple disciplines the opportunity to solve realistic business problems with a risk management focus. Ultimately, PRMC aims to develop and strengthen professional and social relationships among students, faculty and risk professionals. The competition is open to students in Europe, Canada and the United States.