Levan Efremidze

Dr. Efremidze joined the faculty of Graziadio School in 2011. Previously he served on the faculties and did research at Claremont Graduate University, UCLA Anderson School, and Pomona College. He has a PhD in economics from the Claremont Graduate University and has a bachelor''s degree in economics and industrial engineering from Tbilisi State University. Currently he teaches graduate level courses in stock investments and portfolio management. He has previously taught econometrics, financial economics, behavioral finance and risk management courses to graduate students. As an economist at the UCLA Anderson Forecast he did econometric modeling and forecasting of the US, California, Los Angeles and San Francisco economies.

Dr. Efremidze also worked as a market specialist and consulted on the design of trading rules at the Caucasus Stock Exchange, and managed marketing research and operations at ATX and Nissin. He has published articles on financial crises, twin deficits, business cycle forecasting, sudden stops, currency crises, experimental asset price bubbles, testosterone and generosity, and has working papers on biotech stocks, global imbalances and flat tax reforms. He is a recipient of the Benjamin Franklin and Edmund Muskie fellowships (under the Fulbright Scholarship program).

Education

Claremont Graduate University
Doctor of Philosophy

Tbilisi State University
Bachelor of the Arts

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Claremont Graduate University

Doctor of Philosophy

Tbilisi State University

Bachelor of the Arts

Academic, Military and Professional Positions

Academic

Visiting Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University. (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2011).

Economist, UCLA Anderson Forecast. (July 15, 2008 - July 30, 2009).

Visiting Assistant Professor, Pomona College. (January 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008).

Professional Memberships

Panel chair and discussant, Western Economic Association International. (June 1, 2007 - Present).

American Finance Association. (January 1, 2006 - Present).

Member, American Economics Association. (January 1, 2004 - Present).

Development Activities Attended

Workshop, "Faculty Retreat and Faculty Development.," Graziadio Business School, Pasadena. (March 17, 2015 - Present).

Workshop, "Faculty Retreat," Graziadio School, Los Angeles, CA. (March 10, 2017 - March 12, 2017).

Workshop, "Faculty retreat and workshop," Graziadio Business School, Westlake, CA. (February 26, 2016 - February 27, 2016).

Workshop, "Faculty Retreat during the spring of 2014," Pepperdine University, Pasadena, CA. (February 21, 2014 - February 22, 2014).

Workshop, "Spring 2013-Faculty Retreat and Workshop," Graziadio School of Business, Newport, CA. (February 8, 2013 - February 9, 2013).

Teaching Experience

Pepperdine University

FINC 614, 6 courses.
FINC 621, 13 courses.
FINC 625, 14 courses.
FINC 626, 17 courses.
FINC 627, 6 courses.
FINC 630, 1 course.
FINC 637, 8 courses.
FINC 639, 1 course.
FINC 640, 2 courses.
FINC 655, 2 courses.
FINC 669, 1 course.
GSBM 698, 3 courses.

Publications

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., Rossouw, J. (2017). Entropy Risk Factor Model of Exchange Rate Prediction. International Journal of Financial Research, 8(3), 51-56.

Efremidze, L., Sarraf, G., Mioto, K., Zak, P. (2017). The Neural Inhibition of Learning Increases Asset Market Bubbles: Experimental Evidence. Journal of Behavioral Finance.

Efremidze, L., Rutledge, J., Willett, T. (2016). Capital Flow Surges as Bubbles. Singapore Economic Review.

Efremidze, L., Stanley, D. J., Kinsman, M. D. (2015). Stock Market Timing With Entropy. Journal of Wealth Management, 18(3), 57-67.

Efremidze, L. (2015). How Common Are Capital Flows Surges? How They Are Measured Matters -A Lot. Open Economies Review, 26(4), 663-682.

Efremidze, L., di Lellio, J. A., Stanley, D. J. (2014). Using VIX Entropy Indicators for Style Rotation Timing. Journal of Investing, 23(3), http://www.iijournals.com/doi/abs/10.3905/joi.2014.23.3.130?journalCode=joi.

Efremidze, L., Stanley, D. J., Kinsman, M. D. (2014). Frontier Market Timing: The Georgian Stock Exchange Index (GSX) and Entropy Analytics. Paata Gugushvili Institute of Economics at Tbilisi State University(27-28 June, 2014), 318-322.

Efremidze, L., Willett, T., Sula, O. (in press). Reserve Adequacy: Evidence from Global Financial Crisis. Ekonomisti.

Efremidze, L., Schreyer, S., Sula, O. (2011). Sudden stops and currency crises. Journal of Financial Economic Policy, 3(4), 304-321.

Efremidze, L., Tomohara, A. (2011). Have the Implications of Twin Deficits Changed?: Sudden Stops over Decades. International Advances in Economic Research, 17(1), 66-76.

Efremidze, L. (Discussant), Western Economic Association International.

Efremidze, L., International Conference on Economic and Social Development, "The Effect of Flat Tax on Income Inequality," Warsaw, Poland. (October 13, 2017).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., Rossouw, J., 2017 Economic Society of South Africa Conference, "Trading of White Maize/Witmielies July Domestic Future Prices Utilizing Entropy," Economic Society of South Africa, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. (August 30, 2017).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Stanley, D. J. (Author Only), Wasilewski, N. (Author Only), Econophysics Conference annual, "Risk Factor Model for Exchange Rate Prediction," University of Warsaw, Poland, Warsaw, Poland. (July 7, 2017).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., Wasilewski, N., Kinsman, M. D., 2017 Western Economic Association International Conference, "Entropy Risk Factor Strategy for Tactical Asset Allocation," Western Economic Association International, San Diego, CA. June 25-29, 2017. (June 29, 2017).

Efremidze, L., Western Economic Association International, "The Taper Caper: the QE3 Tapering Announcement Impact on Emerging and Frontier Markets," San Diego, CA. (June 29, 2017).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., Wasilewski, N., 2017 WEAI International Conference, "Trading of the Chilean Peso Utilizing Entropy," Western Economic Association International, Santiago, Chile. (January 6, 2017).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Stanley, D. J. (Author Only), International Conference on Economics, Accounting and Finance, "Entropy Risk Factor Model of Exchange Rate Prediction," Copenhagen, Denmark. (June 27, 2016).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Willett, T. (Presenter & Author), ASSA Annual Meeting, "Capital Flow Surges and Reversals: Policy Issues," AEA, American Economics Association, San Francisco, CA. (January 4, 2016).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., 2015 Biannual Conference, "Trading of the South Africa Rand Utilizing Entropy Analytics," Economic Society of South Africa, Capetown, South Africa. (September 4, 2015).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Annual Conference Western Economic Association International, "Relationships between Surges and Sudden Stops," WEAI, Honolulu, Hawaii. (July 2, 2015).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., 2015 WFA Conference, "Market Timing Utilizing Entry," Western Economic Association, Honolulu, Hawaii. (June 28, 2015).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Capital Flows in Emerging Markets, "Relationships between Surges and Sudden Stops," George Mason University, Arlington. (April 24, 2015).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., 2015 6th Annual China EBM Conference, "The Effectiveness of Entropy to predicting movements in the Chinese Stock Market," Engineering and Business Management Institute, Suzhou, China. (March 17, 2015).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Stanley, D. (Presenter & Author), Business, Science and Engineer Conference, China, Shezou. (March 14, 2015).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., Kinsman, M. D., Georgian Economic Development, "Frontier Market Timing: The Georgian Stock Exchange Index and Entropy Analytics," P. Gugushvili Institute of Economics of Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. (June 27, 2014).

Efremidze, L., The XVI Southwest Economic Theory Conference, "Using VIX Entropy Indicators for Style Rotation Timing," UC, Irvine, CA, University of California, Irvine, CA. (March 21, 2014).

Stanley, D. J. (Presenter & Author), Efremidze, L. (Author Only), Kinsman, M. D. (Author Only), R. J. (Presenter & Author), ESSA 2013 Conference, "Market Timing of the FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index Utilizing Entropy," Economic Society of South Africa, Bloemfontein, South Africa. (December 2013).

Stanley, D. J. (Presenter & Author), Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Kinsman, M. D. (Author Only), ICTBM 2013 Conference, "Market Timing of the Dubai Financial Market General Index Utilizing Entropy," ICTBN, Dubai, UAE. (December 2013).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), 2013 Western Economic Association International Annual Conference, "Capital Flows: Surges and Reversals," 2013 Western Economic Association International, Seattle, WA. (June 30, 2013).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), di Lellio, J. A. (Author Only), Stanley, D. J. (Author Only), Academic Forum, "ETF Style Rotation Using Entropy of VIX Index," Graziadio School of Business and Administration, West Los Angeles. (March 12, 2013).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Economic Institute Seminar, "Reserve Adequacy: The Global Financial Crisis," Academy of Sciences Gugushvili Economic Institute, Tbilisi, Georgia. (December 27, 2012).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), di Lellio, J. A. (Author Only), Stanley, D. J. (Author Only), Academy of Financial Services Annual Meeting, "Market Timing for ETF Style Rotation through the use of Entropy Analytics and the VIX Index," San Antonio, Texas. (October 1, 2012).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Willett, T. (Presenter & Author), Global Financial Crisis Conference, "Reserve adequacy: The Global Financial Crisis," George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia. (May 25, 2012).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), International Management Research Academy (IMRA), London, UK!, "Asset market bubbles: Neural basis," International Management Research Academy (IMRA), London, UK. (May 17, 2012).

Efremidze, L. (Author Only), The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Behavioral Finance & Economics, "Brain, Financial Market Bubbles, and Investing," Academy of Behavioral Finance and Economics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. (September 23, 2011).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter & Author), Western Economic Association International, "Sudden Stops and Currency Crises," San Diego, CA. (July 2, 2011).

Efremidze, L. (Presenter Only), Western Economic Association International Annual Meeting, "Discussant of an article: Is There a Speculative Bubble in the Price of Gold?," Western Economic Association International, San Diego, CA. (July 2, 2011).

Efremidze, L. (Co-Principal), Stanley, D. (Co-Principal), "Entropy analytics and market efficiency in emerging markets," Sponsored by Graziadio Business School, Pepperdine University, $2,500.00. (February 2015 - Present).

Efremidze, L., "Characteristics of Frontier Markets: Efficiency and Market Timing Strategies," Sponsored by Graziadio School /Pepperdine University, Pepperdine University, $2,500.00. (February 2014 - Present).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., "GSBM Funds for Excellence," Pepperdine University, $2,500.00. (January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., "Entropy Analytics," Sponsored by GSBM, $2,500.00. (January 2016 - December 2016).

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., "Funds for Excellence," Sponsored by GSBM, Pepperdine University, $2,500.00. (January 2015 - December 2015).

Awards and Honors

Funds for Excellence Award, Graziadio Business School. (November 23, 2016).

Funds for Excellence Award, Graziadio School fo Business and Management. (January 20, 2016).

Funds for Excellence Award, Graziadio School fo Business and Management. (January 30, 2015).

Funds for Excellence Award, Graziadio School fo Business and Management. (January 30, 2014).

Benjamin Franklin/Edmund Muskie Fellowship (Fullbright Program), IREX. (June 10, 1992).

Intellectual Contributions in Submission

Refereed Journal Articles

Efremidze, L. (2017). THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CAPITAL FLOW SURGES, REVERSALS AND SUDDEN STOPS. Journal of Financial Economic Policy.

Stanley, D. J., Efremidze, L., J. R. Entropy Risk Factor Model of Exchange Rate Prediction. Entropy.

Service

Editorial and Review Activities

Ad Hoc Reviewer, Papers, "International Finance," 1 review. (November 1, 2017 - Present).

Ad Hoc Reviewer, Papers, "Open Economies Review," 2 reviews. (December 1, 2014 - Present).

Invited Manuscript Reviewer, "Journal of Behavioral Finance," 2 reviews. (November 28, 2014 - Present).

Invited Manuscript Reviewer, "Ekonomisti (the Journal)," Gugushvili Institute of Economics. (May 20, 2014 - Present).

Ad Hoc Reviewer, Papers, "Journal of Risk Finance," 2 reviews. (October 1, 2013 - Present).

Other

Attendee, Graduation. (December 10, 2011).

Pepperdine University

Faculty Advisor, CFA Research Challenge Student Competition. (November 5, 2016 - Present).

Program Organizer, Guest Lecture Talk-with Finance Club Participation. (November 25, 2013).

Professional

Reviewer, Western Economic Association International. (June 28, 2017 - Present).

Chairperson, Western Economic Association International Conference. (July 2, 2012 - Present).

Chairperson, Western Economic Association International. (July 2, 2015 - July 3, 2015).

Reviewer, Western Economics Association International, Member. (June 30, 2013).

Session Chair, 2013-Western Economic Association International Conference, Member. (June 29, 2013 - June 30, 2013).

Public/Community

Board of Directors of a Company, St. Nicholas Georgian Orthodox Church, Treasurer. (April 1, 2009 - Present).

School

Graduation Ceremony. (April 22, 2017 - Present).

Committee Member, MSAF Committee Member, Member. (January 1, 2014 - Present).

Committee Member, MSGB Programs Committee, Member. (January 1, 2014 - Present).

Committee Member, MS Full-Time Programs Admissions Committee, Member. (January 1, 2013 - Present).

Chairperson, New Finance Workshops and Seminars. (January 1, 2013 - Present).

Committee Member, Service to residential MBA program, Member. (January 8, 2012 - Present).

Committee Member, FT Program Admissions Committee. (January 9, 2011 - Present).

Attendee, Graduation, Graduation Ceremony. (December 10, 2016).

Attendee, Graduation, Member. (December 8, 2015).

Attendee, Convocation, Graduation Ceremony, Member. (December 7, 2013).

Consulting

Management, Lamb Oxford Management and Technology Consulting, Pleasanton, CA. (August 26, 2016 - Present).

Academic, Claremont Institute of Economic Policy Studies, Claremont. (September 1, 2013 - Present).

Management, Los Angeles App Academy, 6510 La Mirada Ave, # 404, Los Angeles, CA 90038. (October 10, 2011 - Present).

Management, St. Nicholas Georgian Orthodox Church, 5657 Lindley Ave, Tarzana, CA 91356. (March 10, 2009 - Present).

Management, Georgian Stock Exchange, Tbilisi, Georgia. (July 1, 2014 - October 30, 2014).

Management, Transatlantic Partners, 23236 Canzonet Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. (March 15, 2011 - November 20, 2011).