Olivia Ozlem Mesta

Continuing Lecturer
mesta in front of Hagey Hall

omesta@uwaterloo.ca
519-888-4567 x46559
Office: HH 221

CV: Olivia Ozlem Mesta

BSc Mathematics (Istanbul University); MSc Mathematical Engineering (Istanbul Technical University); MBA, MSc Applied Mathematics, MA Economics, PhD Economics (University of Missouri)

Areas of specialization: Microeconomics; Mathematical Economics; Industrial Organization; Marketing, Business Economics; Financial Economics.

Research interests

I am interested in studying the effects of entry on the efficiency of different types of market structures. In particular, the conditions under which entry creates inefficiencies in oligopoly markets when firms engage in either Cournot (quantity) or Bertrand (price) competition. In my dissertation, I examined the effects of free entry in Cournot markets. Inefficiencies arise when entry is free and firms differ in their cost structures. It is only in the presence of non-identical firms that studying the inefficiencies created by free entry becomes an interesting problem. Entry biases are calculated by comparing the equilibrium number of firms with free entry to social optimum number of firms. These comparisons are valid in both homogeneous and non-homogeneous good markets. 

Biography

I completed my graduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the United States. Given that my undergraduate degree is in mathematics, my interests were divided between mathematics, economics and business including marketing and finance. In order to explore these areas, I took classes from business school, mathematical sciences and economics. As a result, I ended up having a Master degree in Applied Mathematics and an MBA degree in addition to a Ph.D. in Economics. Based on my diverse background, I am competent in teaching courses not only in economics but also in marketing, finance and mathematics. I taught classes at full time appointments at Wilfrid Laurier University and McMaster University before coming to University of Waterloo. Some of the courses I taught and have been teaching include Microeconomics, Mathematical Economics, Game Theory, Economics of the Canadian Banking and Financial System, Marketing, Business Finance, Development Economics, and College Algebra for calculus bound students.

There are three main factors that guide my teaching philosophy. My lectures are designed to promote critical thinking and to engage my students in active learning. I relate the material covered in class to real world applications to allow students to see the applicability of the material covered in class so that they can later apply what they have been taught in their jobs. I have also strived to give my students the ability and desire to be curious about the world around them and have always aimed to give them the skills they need to pursue their dreams to explore the world around them so that they can build the future they desire.