Issue 3: November 2020 Archives - THE STERN OPPORTUNITY

The Work Begins Now

By David Kalan on November 13, 2020

I had quite the shock last week. After eight months of what I thought were MBA courses at NYU Stern, I discovered I’ve actually been attending online classes with Stern Lawn N’ Landscaping, the only place in Wausau, Wis., worth calling if your home needs more curb appeal. While the employees have surprisingly deep knowledge of forecasting models and the Cobb-Douglas function — I mean, how else would it have taken me this long to notice? — it is clear I’ve been made a fool.

That tuition better cover a whole lot of lawn care.

Luckily, I learned last Saturday that I was in good company, though I use the term “good” loosely.…

The Election, the Vaccine, and the Moolah

The Election, the Vaccine, and the Moolah

By David Kammiel on November 15, 2020

If you haven’t heard Joe Biden is president-elect of the United States of America, you should probably stop reading now. The market had priced in several predictions for the US elections of 2020. We all know the polls were not as accurate as projected but, as usual, the devil is in the details. The Senate and House election outcomes have caused the major moves in the market thus far, not so much the presidential election. And don’t worry, we will obviously get into the Covid vaccine’s effects on the market, too.

First and foremost, the Senate and House election surprises. What this means in market speak is the unwinding of the “blue wave” bet.…

Pfizer’s COVID vaccine demonstrates efficacy in clinical trials. Now what?

Pfizer’s COVID vaccine demonstrates efficacy in clinical trials. Now what?

By Deirdre Keane on November 13, 2020

Last Monday, Pfizer announced preliminary findings from Phase III of clinical trials demonstrate that its SARS-CoV2 vaccine is effective in producing antibodies against COVID. Pfizer partnered with German biotech firm, BioNTech, to produce the vaccine. Pfizer is one of the two forerunners in Phase III of clinical trials to prove efficacy of an mRNA vaccine. The other being Moderna. mRNA vaccines are developed from re-engineered messenger RNA (mRNA), the molecules that relay genetic instructions from DNA to the cell’s protein-making machinery. The company’s technology sends synthetic mRNA into cells, which would hypothetically invoke an immune response that causes the body to develop antibodies against the virus.…

Moderna’s Race for a Covid Vaccine: A Fireside Chat with Lavina Talukdar, Head of Investor Relations

Moderna’s Race for a Covid Vaccine: A Fireside Chat with Lavina Talukdar, Head of Investor Relations

By Deirdre Keane on November 15, 2020

On November 4th, Stern Healthcare Association (SHA) hosted a fireside chat with Moderna’s Head of Investor Relations, Lavina Talukdar. Ms.Talukdar joined Moderna in April 2019 after 20 years as a biotech and healthcare investor. She is an expert in the niche market of investment procurement for mRNA development. Professor Viral Acharya moderated the discussion. Professor Acharya is the C.V. Starr Professor of Economics in the Department of Finance at Stern and an Academic Advisor to the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Philadelphia. The week of the event, he published a paper on the economic value a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine would bring to society. …

From Major to MBA

From Major to MBA

By sternoppy on November 13, 2020

By Darwin Castillo

My training and unique experiences in the military have led me to become a better physician, educator, and leader. Growing up, I never would have seen myself in the military since I envisioned a career in a quiet laboratory, researching treatments for rare diseases. Throughout college and years after, I worked as a research scientist at the University of California – San Francisco, The Salk Institute, and The University of Tokyo. Transitioning into clinical medicine became an obvious choice when the highlights of my work schedule were weekly visits to operating rooms, emergency departments, and clinical offices to obtain samples and data for my research projects.…

A Navy Life of Many Journeys

A Navy Life of Many Journeys

By sternoppy on November 13, 2020

By Hisham Semaan

My journey in the world’s most powerful Navy began in September of 2008 when I started my Officer Candidate School training in Newport, Rhode Island. Since I was a child, my dream was to become an American military officer. Despite my family’s concerns for my well-being and calls to reconsider, I fulfilled my dream by getting my officer commission as an Ensign in the Supply Corps on 08 Dec 2008. My new life had begun. Looking back, the Navy kept its promise to me with their motto of “Accelerate Your Life.”

My experience in the Navy is wide-ranging, from basic military training to leading hundreds of Sailors on seafaring deployments.…

White Apathy

White Apathy

By Deirdre Keane on November 15, 2020

November 7, 2020 was a day of change for the United States. A new administration that promotes equality, rather than discrimination, will take office on January 20, 2020. While this will hopefully lead to a move in a positive direction for equity in policies and the justice system, progress needs to occur in our society on a cultural and individual level. I have been reflecting on white privilege and its many facets. I started doing the 28-day challenge called Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. The reflection process promotes people who identify as white to deliberate how they benefit from white privilege and harm POC with racist actions and thoughts.…

Stern Hobbies: From babybacks to bacon

Stern Hobbies: From babybacks to bacon

By sternoppy on November 13, 2020

By Ryan Bedell

As part of our new “Stern Hobbies” series, The Oppy is taking a look at off-the-beaten-path interests among some of our classmates at Stern. If you have a hobby you would like to write about, please e-mail the Oppy at [email protected]. Today’s feature comes from Langone student Ryan Bedell.

In 2014, on the island of Jeju off the southern coast of South Korea, my life was forever changed. I could point to the growth that happened in my year there, or the friends I made, or even the severely broken foot I suffered in a rather serious motorcycle accident.…

Covid Journals: Mask Life

Covid Journals: Mask Life

By Teresa Bruno on November 15, 2020

From left to right, Sternies Deirdre Keane, Michelle Vogt Gwerder, Teresa Bruno, Shaina Himelstein and Shelby Duncan and their masks.

As part of our Covid Journal series, we asked your fellow classmates, named above, to share their perspectives on a new staple of our everyday lives: Masks.

Considering that we live in one of the fashion capitals of the world, let’s start there. As you can see from the photos above, and in true New York fashion, most masks our article participants sport are black and utilitarian. Shelby’s classic, surgical mask will never go out of style. It’s tried and true.…

Stern Singles Presents: Patton Chandler

Stern Singles Presents: Patton Chandler

By Phuong Tran on November 15, 2020

Welcome back to another addition of Stern Singles. We are excited to introduce you all to another Stern eligible bachelor, Patton Chandler! A musical theater, college football, and all things fried loving southern boy looking for love!!

Patton grew up in Huntsville, Ala., home of the world renowned Space Camp and setting for The Case of the U.S. Space Camp Mission, a true classic of the Olsen Twins’ cinematic oeuvre. Patton received his BFA in musical theater at The Hartt School in Connecticut and then headed to the big city, where he spent six years working as an actor.

He’s a fresh Sternie, obeys COVID-19 quarantine rules, loves a good Christmas decor situation, and is loyal to the core.…

Posts published in “Issue 3: November 2020”