J. Christopher Westland

About the Fulbright-García Robles (COMEXUS) Award

The Fulbright-García Robles (COMEXUS) grant is an esteemed bilateral program between the United States and Mexico. Named after Nobel Peace Prize winner Alfonso García Robles, it is considered one of the "Crown Jewels" of the global Fulbright program due to the depth of diplomatic, economic, and cultural relationships it fosters between the two nations.

Because of the USMCA and our extensive shared border, this grant is viewed by both the U.S. Department of State and the private sector as a high-level training ground for the future of the North American corridor. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the academic and professional links uniting our two countries.

Research: Economic Complexity Networks in the Yucatán

During my Fulbright year, I am based at Universidad Anáhuac Mayab in Mérida, Mexico. The Yucatán is currently the fastest-growing economy in Mexico. My research focuses on economic complexity networks across the region:

• Trade & Satellite Analytics: Mapping municipal product spaces, revealed comparative advantage (RCA), and industrial concentration using firm-level census records (DENUE/IMSS) and nighttime lights satellite data (VIIRS).
• The "Yucatán Connectome" Project: Evaluating how major transport infrastructure—specifically the Tren Maya rail network—reshapes regional economic geography and labor-market informality.
• Market Access Diagnostics: Modeling market-access gain against travel friction and train waiting times to identify true regional economic multipliers.

Collaborating with TecniA Technology Incubator

I also look forward to collaborating with Mexico’s technology incubator, TecniA, at Universidad Anáhuac Mayab to help promote, evaluate, and commercialize Mexican STEM innovations. This initiative bridges academic research with venture capital, patent analysis, and cross-border commercialization along the North American economic corridor.

📚 The 52 Episodes & Historical Essays

All 52 episodes and historical essays are available to read interactively on the Shiny Dashboard Episode Reader.

The complete catalog of all 102 refereed publications is documented in the downloadable Curriculum Vitae (PDF) and the interactive Shiny Web App.

Education

• Ph.D., Computers & Information Systems, University of Michigan, 1987
• MBA, Accounting, Indiana University, 1973
• BA, Mathematics (Physics & Chemistry minors), Indiana University, 1971
• Languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish

Awards, Certificates & Honoraries

1. Certified Public Accountant (Illinois License 065.035982)
2. Illinois CPA Society
3. Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Honorary Society)
4. Mensa International; American Mensa
5. Fulbright Specialist Award, Colombia, 2024
6. Fulbright Specialist Roster appointment by U.S. Department of State
7. Fulbright-García Robles US Scholar, Mexico, 2026–2027 *(One of only three U.S. Scholars for Mexico)*
8. 1000-Talents Plan Award, China, 2013–2016
9. High Level Foreign Expert designation, China
10. Stanford University’s list of World’s Top 2% Scientists

Career History

1. Professor, IDS, University of Illinois – Chicago, 2007–present
2. Fulbright-García Robles U.S. Scholar & Visiting Scholar, Universidad Anáhuac Mayab, Mérida, México, 2026–2027
3. High-level Foreign Expert, P.R.China (under 1000-Talents Plan) Beihang University, 2012–2017
4. Adjunct Professor, XiDian University, Xian, P.R.China, 2017–present
5. Adjunct Professor, Shanghai University, Shanghai, P.R.China, 2019
6. Adjunct Professor, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, P.R.China, 2013–2016
7. Adjunct Professor, Key Center for e-Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, P.R.China, 2011–present
8. Adjunct Professor, SWUFE Key Lab of Financial Intelligence, Chengdu, P.R.China, 2007–present
9. Head, IDS, University of Illinois – Chicago, 2000–2007
10. Professor, HK University of Science & Technology, 1995–2007; Visiting Professor Tsinghua University, Beijing, 2002–2003
11. Visiting Professor, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 2002
12. Associate Professor with Tenure, Marshall School, University of Southern California, 1994–1996
13. Assistant Professor, Marshall School, University of Southern California, 1985–1988
14. Assistant Professor, Accounting, Eastern Michigan University, 1986–1987
15. PhD Student, Computers and Information Systems, University of Michigan, 1981–1987
16. Database Admin & Security Manager, Rockwell International, 1977–1981
17. IS Audit Manager, Republic Life, Dallas, 1976–1977
18. Accounts Payable / Payroll Manager, Federated Department Stores, Dallas, 1975–1976
19. Auditor, IS Consultant, Touche Ross, Chicago, 1973–1975

Ph.D. Students

1. Fabiha Jalal
2. Keran Zhao (graduated 2021)
3. Pouya Rahmati (graduated 2020)
4. Poornima Krishnan (graduated 2010)
5. Sanjeev Jha (graduated 2009), University of New Hampshire
6. Kirill Yurov (graduated 2009), Nova University
7. Carsten Paasch (graduated 2008), Senior VP – Information Security, Standard Chartered Bank
8. Wendy Hui (graduated 2005), Nottingham University
9. Eric See-to (graduated 2005), Research Fellow, University of Lancaster Business School, U.K.
10. Hilton Chan (graduated 2000), Hong Kong Police, Head of Special Investigations
11. Eric Law (graduated 1999), CEO, Boncle, Inc. (secure internet platforms) Santa Clara, CA