About Professor Kumar
Kumar Venkataraman is a Professor of Finance and holds the Maguire Chair in Energy Management at the Cox School of Business. He is the Academic Director of both the Maguire Energy Institute and the Kyle Miller Energy Management Program. He earned his Ph.D. in Finance from Arizona State University and served as Chairman of the Finance Department from 2012 to 2015.
From 2017 to 2021, Professor Venkataraman was a member of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee (FIMSAC). During his tenure, the committee made key recommendations to enhance the efficiency and resilience of the U.S. fixed income markets. In 2011, he was recognized as one of “The Best 40 B-School Profs Under 40” by Poets & Quants, highlighting his impact as an educator and researcher.
Research
Kumar Venkataraman is an expert in market microstructure, focusing on how financial markets are designed and operate. His work covers topics like trading strategies, best execution, and the functioning of equity, fixed income, options, futures, swaps, and energy markets. His research has been published in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, and Review of Financial Studies. Kumar’s insights have also been featured in industry publications like The CFA Digest, textbooks, and major business outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Financial Times, The Economist, and Bloomberg News.
He has previously serves as a Visiting Economist with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). He works on consulting and expert witness engagements with clients including the U.S. Department of Justice. His research is often cited by global central banks and regulators and is frequently referenced in regulatory filings on market design initiatives.
Teaching
Dr. Venkataraman teaches courses in the area of Investments and Energy Finance.
Personal
Married to Kalyani, and has two daughters, Anushka and Sanjana. Kumar enjoys reading books and playing tennis.
Honors
The Best 40 Business Professors Under the Age of 40, Poets and Quants ranking: 2011.
NASDAQ Best Paper Award in Market Microstructure, Financial Management Association (international): 2010, 2013, 2019.
Best Paper Award (2nd Place), 20th Conference on the Theories and Practices of Securities and Financial Markets (international): 2012.
Best Paper Award, Multinational Financial Society (international): 2015.
Gerald J. Ford Senior Research Fellowship (SMU): 2008.
Research Excellence Award (Cox School): 2004, 2013, 2016, 2017.
Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor (SMU): 2017 - 2019.
Boghetich Family Distinguished Award for Teaching (Cox School): 2010, 2015.
Annual Teaching Award in BBA or MBA Program (Cox School): 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017.
Education
1990 - 1994
Master of Management Sciences (Finance)
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India.
1995 - 2000
Ph. D. in Business Administration (Finance)
Arizona State University
Contact Information
Office Phone: 214-768-7005
Email: kumar@mail.cox.smu.edu
Office # 2312, Cox School of Business,
Southern Methodist University, Dallas TX 75275-0333.
