In acknowledgment of their outstanding scholarship, three Gies Business faculty members have been named Gies Advanced Study Scholars: Erik Beardsley, Yang Gao, and Spyros Lagaras.
Now in its second year, the Gies Business Advanced Study Scholars program recognizes promising assistant professors whose research track record to date has proven to be outstanding. As an Advanced Study Scholar, each faculty member will receive one course release for the 2026-2027 academic year to provide additional time to pursue their research, as well as a stipend.
Erik Beardsley
Erik Beardsley is an assistant professor in the Department of Accountancy. “I am honored to be named a Gies Advanced Study Scholar,” he said. “The appointment provides valuable encouragement and affirmation as I pursue high-quality, impactful research at this stage in my academic career.”
He joined the Gies Business in 2022. His research focuses on the intersection of tax and financial reporting, the effects of non-audit services on audit quality, and corporate tax department incentives and operations. He earned his PhD in accounting from Texas A&M University.
“Since joining Gies, I have always felt extremely supported in my research endeavors. Being named an Advanced Study Scholar will provide dedicated time to accelerate my research agenda by enabling greater focus on advancing my projects outside the demands of a full teaching load.”
Yang Gao
Yang Gao joined Gies Business in 2023 and is an assistant professor in the Department of Business Administration. “Being named a Gies Advanced Study Scholar is a tremendous honor and very meaningful to me personally,” he said. “It is both encouraging and motivating at this stage of my career. This recognition will help enhance my visibility and reputation within my field and beyond, and it gives me greater confidence to continue pursuing research questions that I am passionate about.”
Gao’s research focuses on AI, social media, misinformation, and customer service. He examines how digital platforms and emerging AI technologies shape user behavior, organizational decision-making, and the governance of online information
“The collaborative and collegial environment has played an important role in my development as a researcher,” Gao said. “I am especially grateful for the tremendous support and mentorship I have received from my colleagues in the IOSA area, the Department of Business Administration, and the Gies College of Business.
Spyros Lagaras
Spyros Lagaras is an assistant professor in the Department of Finance. “I deeply appreciate this recognition from Gies Business,” Lagaras said. “Beyond the honor itself, the additional research support and course release will help me make progress on several ongoing projects and continue building my research agenda. It’s encouraging to be part of a college that is willing to invest in junior faculty and their work.”
Since joining Gies Business in 2024, Lagaras has focused his research on understanding how restructuring decisions by firms shape human capital within and across organizations, as well as the broader forces behind individuals' decision to enter entrepreneurship. His is interested in the intersection of corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and labor economics. He examines how restructuring decisions by firms shape human capital within and across organizations.
“One thing I especially appreciate about Gies is the strength of the research community and how supportive colleagues are of one another's work,” he said. “That environment makes a real difference, particularly for junior faculty.”