Zangari Family's $1 Million Gift Launches Fordham AI Research Fund for Finance and Beyond

Fordham's New AI Fund Targets Real-World Impact in Finance, Economics, and Beyond

Fordham University is launching the Zangari Family Faculty Research and Innovation Fund to advance applied AI research across finance, economics, asset management, and data science. The fund is made possible by a $1 million gift from finance executive and investor Peter Zangari, Ph.D., a Fordham alumnus, and his wife, Jennifer Zangari. It will back faculty-led projects, many with student involvement, and build tighter links with industry partners.

The goal is clear: more research that translates into internships, jobs, and measurable outcomes for companies and society. As Zangari put it, the work can create a "multiplier effect" across sectors-from health care to education and business.

What the Zangari Family Fund Enables

• Funding scope: $1 million over the next few years to accelerate interdisciplinary AI projects.
• Primary focus: Finance, economics, asset management, and data science with cross-campus collaboration.
• Hands-on training: Student participation in sponsored projects and industry partnerships.
• Industry visibility: A stronger pipeline between research output and practical use in markets and institutions.

Fuel for a Transdisciplinary Research Incubator

The gift provides seed funding for Fordham's planned Transdisciplinary Research Incubator, designed to bring together experts from different fields around high-impact questions. "Fordham is investing in research and innovation to meet today's pressing challenges," said Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham. "We're honored by Peter's commitment to Fordham, and we thank him for supporting our faculty and helping our students become the ethical leaders in AI that our world needs."

Why This Matters to Finance and Research Leaders

• Faster iteration: Zangari emphasizes speed-AI can compress cycles from "five years, 10 years" to "two years." That shortens time-to-insight for investment, risk, and economic research.
• Cross-disciplinary lift: AI helps specialists communicate and test ideas across domains, improving model design, data quality, and validation workflows.
• Talent pipeline: Projects tied to industry needs give firms access to skilled graduates who can contribute on day one.

Opportunities for Industry Partners

Zangari, a partner at MDOTM-an AI-driven investment firm-plans to connect companies with Fordham faculty and students for research, internships, and networking. The aim is for firms to "look to Fordham as a source of talent" in AI.

• Collaborate on research sprints in portfolio construction, risk modeling, macro forecasting, and alternative data.
• Co-develop datasets, validation protocols, and governance standards that meet internal audit and regulatory expectations.
• Pilot solutions with faculty guidance and student support to reduce experimentation costs.

Speed and Impact: AI as a Research Engine

"[AI] just streamlines so much stuff that you would do otherwise," Zangari said. The result: more time for framing the right questions, more iterations, and better evidence for decision-making. This applies well beyond markets to health care, education, and operations.

For leaders building responsible AI programs, reference frameworks like the NIST AI RMF for risk controls and governance, and sector analysis from the Financial Stability Board on AI in financial services. See NIST AI Risk Management Framework and the FSB report on AI and machine learning in financial services.

About Peter Zangari, Ph.D.

Zangari studied economics at Fordham (Class of 1989) and earned his doctorate at Rutgers University. His career spans management, research, investment management, product development, and fintech. He serves on the Fordham University President's Council and is teaching a course this fall on AI and the financial markets.

He has previously supported Fordham through gifts to the economics department and by creating a graduate research fellowship. His current gift accelerates faculty research while giving students a direct path into high-impact projects and roles.

What to Watch Next

• RFPs for faculty projects that integrate finance and data science with real industry use cases.
• New partnerships that open internships, apprenticeships, and capstone collaborations.
• Publications and prototypes that show measurable gains in forecasting, risk, and portfolio workflows.

Practical Resources

• AI tools for finance to explore practical applications across research, trading, and risk.
• AI courses by job to upskill analysts, quants, and product teams.