Danling Jiang Earns Top Honors in FMA International’s 2026 Innovation in Teaching Award

Stony Brook University College of Business Professor of Finance Danling Jiang received first place in the 2026 Innovation in Teaching Award from the Financial Management Association International (FMA), recognizing her innovative approach to integrating artificial intelligence into finance education.

Jiang was one of three finalists invited to present their work at the FMA Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. Her presentation, "AI Portfolio Labs: Building Portfolio Management Skills with Purpose-Built AI Applications," earned top honors for its innovative approach to developing students' practical portfolio management skills through AI-powered learning experiences.

The award recognizes Jiang's work in FIN 525 Portfolio Management, a course serving Master of Science in Finance (MSF) and MBA students. Taking an entrepreneurial approach to course development, Jiang has independently designed and built a series of financial applications using AI tools including Claude, NotebookLM, ChatGPT , Google Colab and Gemini AI.

Through these purpose-built applications, student teams gain hands-on experience with portfolio backtesting and management, applying financial concepts in practical settings that mirror the challenges and tools they may encounter in their professional careers. The applications help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world financial decision-making while giving students opportunities to develop both technical and analytical skills.

The FMA International Innovation in Teaching Award recognizes educators whose creative approaches and teaching practices advance the quality and relevance of finance education. Jiang's achievement highlights the College of Business's commitment to experiential learning, innovation and preparing students to navigate an increasingly technology-driven business environment.

To explore Jiang's presentation, accompanying article and resources for incorporating AI into finance education, visit her AI Portfolio Labs page.