RESUME OF SWAGATA “BAN” BANERJEE

 

 

 

Education:

h PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia, Athens (UGA), GA, USA. Expected graduation date: December 2003.

h Masters in Resource and Applied Economics from University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), NV, USA. August 1999.

h Masters in Economics from University of Calcutta, India, 1988. Specialization: International Economics; Option: Economic Planning. 

h Bachelors in Economics (Major) from University of Calcutta, India, 1986. Minors: Political Science and Mathematics.

 

Experience:

h Graduate Assistant, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, August 1999 – present. Areas of concentration: WebCT, Microeconomics, Econometric Modeling, Forecasting.

h Numerator/Office Assistant at Senator Alan Bible Center for Applied Research, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA, 1998 – 1999.

h Graduate Research Assistant, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA, 1996 – 1998. Areas of concentration: Estimation of Recreation Demand, and Regional Economics. This also included some teaching assistant responsibilities in statistics.

h Labor Inspector in Labor Commissioner's Office, West Bengal Government, Calcutta, India, 1996.

h Lecturer of Economics at University of Calcutta, India, 1990 – 1994.

h Founder-Principal and Manager of “Punnag” – a school of music, dance and art in India – with a peak of 50 students at a time, and dealt with admission and managerial issues involving at least 100 students, and hiring, firing, and maintaining payroll of teachers, 1986 – 1996.   

h Founder-Coordinator of Athens, Georgia Chapter of Regional Workshops of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), a Nashville-based not-for-profit songwriting organization that teaches the craft and business of songwriting, and voices songwriters’ rights in Washington, DC. A newspaper (Athens Banner-Herald) article on this songwriting chapter is available online at: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/082702/ent_20020827008.shtml.

h Founder-Leader of music band “Global Horse” – a folk-rock/pop band with a variety of world influences, formed in 1999. Function as songwriter, singer, and rhythm guitarist in the band. Also a solo performer (guitar-vocals) of original songs.

 

Econometrics/Statistics skills acquired through graduate courses: 

h Matrix Algebra; Probability and Distribution Theory.

h Estimation and Hypothesis Testing; Classical Linear Regression; Multiple Regression; Nonlinear Regression and Optimization (Maximum Likelihood Estimation).

h Multicollinearity; Nonspherical Disturbances (Generalized Method of Moments Estimation); Heteroscedasticity; Autocorrelation.

h Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR); Regression with Lagged Variables.

h Vector Autoregression (VAR); Unit Roots; Stationarity; Cointegration; Error Correction.

h Simultaneous Equations System.

h Discrete Dependent Variables Model – Binary Choice, Probit, Logit.

h Limited Dependent Variables Model – Truncation, Censoring (Tobit), Selection / Incidental Truncation.

h Use of Panel Data.

h Multivariate Methods in Statistics: The relevant matrix theory; multivariate random vectors and their distributions; multivariate normal distribution (MVN); Q-Q plots; sampling from MVN and inference for population mean vector; covariance matrix; correlation matrix; multivariate ANOVA; principal component analysis (PCA); factor analysis (FA); discriminant analysis (DA) and classification.

h Programming in SAS – PROC REG, PROC IML; SAS/Assist.

 

Computer skills:

h Operating systems: MS-DOS, Windows.

h Packages: Lotus, D base, Excel, Word, Access, CASES.

h Programming: SAS, SHAZAM, GAMS, GAUSS, RATS, TSP.

h Internet Coding: HTML.

h Other: WebCT.

 

Extra-curricular activities:

h Music: Songwriter-singer-composer-arranger-guitarist-sitarist-percussionist – a regular performer of original music.

h Creative and journalistic writing: e.g., poetry, songs, instrumental music, book reviews, and articles.

h International education: multicultural and intercultural issues that affect international and study abroad students; orientation and counseling of such students, basically in acclimating international students to the US life, education, and culture.

 

Accomplishments/Awards:

  Academic:

h Esterline Prize – First Prize ($200.00) given by the Asian Studies on the Pacific Coast (ASPAC) for graduate student paper “Dealing with the Ganges – A socio-politico-economic approach: An extreme case of water pollution”, 1999.

h Graduate Student Association Merit Scholarship Award ($500.00) in Social Sciences category for essay “Graduate Study at the University of Nevada, Reno – A Unique Multicultural Experience” given by Graduate Student Association, UNR, 1999. Essay is available online at http://www.agecon.uga.edu/~sbanerjee/essay.html.

h Finalist Award in Social Sciences category for paper “Dealing with the Ganges – A socio-politico-economic approach: An extreme case of water pollution” given by Graduate Student Association, UNR, 1999.

h First prize and publication (July 1989) of essay “Planning in India” in July 1989 issue of a leading national journal (Competition Success Review) in India. Honorable mention for another essay on the impact of automation in Indian industry, contest conducted by the same journal.

 

  Musical:

h Cowriter-coproducer of about 100 song cuts in India, many published, for albums, sitcoms, movies, commercials / ad films.

h Released online (www.CDBaby.com/banbrothers and www.AthensMusic.netàBan Brothers) in May 2003 and November 2002, respectively, foreign language (Bengali) independent compilation CDs “Moonlit Sky” and “Hello Hello” under act name of Ban Brothers (with older brother as cowriter-coarranger-coproducer).

h An eight-song EP (taken from the two CDs mentioned above) currently in the library at WUOG 90.5 FM, the UGA college radio station.

h A soap commercial (“Sonali”) currently in rotation in India during winter, when the product in question has its market.

h Performed solo acoustic (guitar-vocals) live original music (half-hour each time) at WUOG 90.5 FM on three occasions: and April 17, 2003, September 3, 2002, and October 2, 2001.

h Movie score (composition, arrangement, production, and some percussion playing) for a claymation movie “Where The Wild Things Are” produced by UGA, Spring 2000. Obtain VHS and VCD copies of the 6.5-minute movie and soundtrack consisting of 10 mixed music tracks (a total 9’44” of music).  

 

  Literary:

h Former associate member and nominated distinguished member, International Society of Poets, Owings Mills, Maryland, 1998-‘99.

h Honorable Mention and Editorial Choice awards and publications in poetry anthologies through National Library of Poetry, Owings Mills, Maryland, and other poetry organizations in the US, 1997 – 1999. Three poems are available at www.poetry.com. A total of 22 poems are available online in my “poetry gallery” at http://www.agecon.uga.edu/~sbanerjee/mypoems.htm.

h Newspaper publications – such as letters, book reviews, and poems on editorial page in India in The Telegraph, Jugantar, and Danik Basumati, 1980 – 1995, and university publications of poems in campus newspapers and magazines in India and the US, 1982 – 1999: publications in English and Bengali. Some clippings/copies available.

 

  Other/Leadership:

h Outstanding Collegiate Leadership Award, International Student Life (ISL), UGA, April 2003.

h ISL Service Award, ISL, UGA, April 2003.

h “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” Award, UGA, 2002-‘03. 

h Saeeda Peermohamed Award ($500.00 and plaque) for “outstanding scholarship, leadership and service in the field of international education,” from Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society, UGA, April 2002.

h Member, Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society – inducted April 2002.

h Tax Volunteer (VITA) for international students, code NR-5, 2002.

h A Global Friends Program mentor, UGA, 2000 – present.

h A ‘World Ambassador’ at UGA, Fall 1999 – present.

h Member, University Programming Board, UGA: particularly involved in Cinematic Arts, Ideas and Issues, and Entertainment Divisions, Fall 1999 – present.

h Elected college representative in Graduate Student Association at UNR for one academic year, 1998-‘99.

h Former Secretary of International Club, UNR, Spring 1998.

h “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” Award, UNR, 1997-‘98.

h Outstanding Graduate Student Award given by the Board of Regents, UNR, 1997-‘98.

 

Language proficiency:

h Bengali – fluent; native language.

h English – fluent; was taught in English at all grade levels.

h Hindi – fluent; national language.

h French – obtained "Certificat de Française Elémentaire” (elementary certificate) from Alliance Française de Calcutta, India; studied four semesters.

h Spanish – one college semester.

 

References:

1.) Michael E. Wetzstein

     Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

     Suite 315, Conner Hall

     The University of Georgia

     Athens, Georgia 30602

     (706) 542-0758

     mwetzstein@agecon.uga.edu

 

2.) James E. Epperson

     Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

     Suite 315, Conner Hall

     The University of Georgia

     Athens, Georgia 30602

     (706) 542-0766

     jepperson@agecon.uga.edu

 

3.) Leigh A. Poole

     Coordinator, International Student Life Office

     210 Memorial Hall

     The University of Georgia

     Athens, Georgia 30602

     (706) 542-5867

     lapoole@arches.uga.edu

 

4.) Fred C. White

     Department Head and

     D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor

     Agricultural & Applied Economics

     301 Conner Hall    

     The University of Georgia

     Athens, GA 30602-7509

     (706) 542-0764 (voice)

     (706) 542-0739 (fax)

      fwhite@agecon.uga.edu

 

5.) Thomas R. Harris

     Professor and Director, University Center for Economic Development

     Dept. of Applied Economics and Statistics

     Mail Stop 204

     University of Nevada

     Reno, NV 89557

     (775) 784-6701 (voice)

     (775) 784-1342 (fax)

      tharris@cabnr.unr.edu