Dr. Cao earned a PhD in Finance in 1995 from UCLA and a PhD in Pathology in 1991 from Yale University. In 2016, he was on the list of “China’s Most Cited Researchers” unveiled by Elsevier, the world’s famous provider of scientific, technical, and medical information.

Before joining CKGSB, he taught at UC Berkeley, UCSD, Ohio State University, Carnegie Mellon and UNC Chapel Hill.
Cao's research has been published in journals including Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Economic Theory, Journal of Business, Review of Finance and Marketing Science. Cao is the co-editor of International Financial Review and sits on the editorial board of Annals of Economics and Finance and China Financial Review. Cao has been speaking about blockchain technology globally, his speech topics include “A New Paradigm of Blockchain”, “The Parallel World on Blockchian” etc.

Ikhlaq Sidhu, Chief Scientist, and Founding Director, Sutarja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology, & IEOR Emerging Area Professor. A world-class expert in "real-life" technology innovation and leadership. He invented the technology used in Skype and other internet communications (75 patents). Academically trained, yet highly focused on application. Dr. Sidhu developed the Data-X lab, course, and framework for rapid implementation of digital transformation. He serves on many advisory boards. Created the Entrepreneurship & Technology area at the #1 public university in the world.

A career-long capital markets lawyer, Lewis Cohen started working in the blockchain space in early 2016 when he was appointed co-head of the blockchain Task Force created by the Structured Finance Industry Group (SFIG), the trade association for the U.S. structured finance industry, on which Lewis sits on the Board and Executive Committee. Lewis has since advised a range of clients and handled a number of key blockchain projects, including the Cook County, Illinois Recorder’s Office pilot to allow blockchain-based real estate transfers. Lewis is also one of the leaders of Hogan Lovells’ blockchain industry initiative. Most recently, Lewis and his team have been handling legal issues on a variety of transactions involving the initial sales of cryptographic tokens (sometimes also known as “initial coin offerings” or ICOs.
In the traditional capital markets sector, clients turn to Lewis to help them untangle the web of regulations involved in cross-border transactions. Lewis takes the time to know his clients' business so that he can provide efficient, targeted advice. His experience includes working on some of the first structured finance transactions, including a securitization of credit card receivables by Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company (now part of JPMorgan Chase & Co.).

Consultant with a history of work in Blockchain Consulting, Executive Education, Tokenization, and Use Case Ideation. Worked previously with ExxonMobil, the US Dept. of Commerce, and Haywood Securities. Recognized as a TEDx Speaker, United Nations Youth Ambassador, and BC Excellence Award winner.

From a group of academic pioneers in 1868 to the Free Speech Movement in 1964, Berkeley is a place where the brightest minds from across the globe come together to explore, ask questions and improve the world.