Aslan Lotfi

Aslan Lotfi is an Assistant Professor of Analytics & Operations at the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond. He received a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University.

Three keywords best embody the essence of Aslan’s research: technology, attention, and memory. Technology can itself become the focus of attention (e.g., a new technology product), create environments in which attention develops and manifests (e.g., online platforms and social media), or serve as a means of generating attention (e.g., online advertising). Because attention dynamics are largely shaped by memory, he studies phenomena of interest through the lens of processes with memory (PWMs), in which the current state depends on the process’s history. In his research, PWMs can represent the dynamics of behavior, for example product adoption and repeat purchases or users’ repeated online searches on topics, or they can represent drivers that influence behavior, for example a consumer’s accumulated advertising stock that is expected to influence purchase decisions. Stronger memory in these models implies more persistent behavior or a longer-lasting factor that influences behavior. In his research, these PWMs are formulated using fractional calculus, a branch of mathematics that allows for non-integer derivatives and integrals.

Aslan also enjoys teaching a variety of subjects, including Business Analytics, Database Management, and Programming.