Center for International Business Celebrates Second Edition of Fellows Program

Center for International Business - Loyola University New Orleans celebrated the completion of the second edition of its Fellows Program on April 29, recognizing a year of student research, academic growth, and professional development.

During the event, ten Fellows presented their research posters to faculty from Loyola University New Orleans College of Business and participants of the Creative Spark New Orleans 2026 Workshop. The presentations showcased the students’ work across a wide range of topics related to international business, economics, finance, tourism, organizational culture, sustainability, and global development.

Throughout the academic year, Fellows learned how to design and develop research projects, refine their ideas through feedback, and present their work professionally and confidently. The program aims to provide students with hands-on research experience while helping them strengthen critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.

The 2026 Fellows and their research projects included:

• Eldana Tesfaye and Isabella Castillo — Barriers of Entry, Market Opportunity, and Nuances to Implementing Cosmetic Retailers in Honduras and Ethiopia

• Halima Jammeh — Unwritten, But Enforced: How Organizational Culture Governs Global Business
• Marco Gurdian — Locational Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: A Macro-Level Analysis with Implications for Global Real Estate Development
• Amber Harp — The Impact of Study Abroad on Students’ Global Competence and Career Prospects
• Luis Nunez Cortes — The Economic and Social Consequences of the INSS Crisis in Nicaragua

• Ben Romanstein — Tourism Growth and Hotel Development in Costa Rica
• Pablo Márquez Martínez — Payment Methods Among Teenagers in Spain
• Daniela Mogollón del Castillo — Does ESG Performance Attract Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America?
• Santiago Lorenzo Gallo — Why Active Fund Managers Underperform: Evidence on Incentives, Constraints, and Investment Behavior

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of completion, officially welcoming the students into the Center for International Business Fellows Alumni community.

Congratulations to all Fellows for their dedication, curiosity, and accomplishments throughout the program.