Dr. Aric LaBarr
Associate Teaching Professor
EMAIL: labarra@wfu.edu
PHONE: (336) 758-2576
OFFICE: Farrell 212
Biography
Dr. Aric LaBarr is an Associate Teaching Professor of Business Analytics who is deeply passionate about helping people solve challenges using their data. His professional mission centers on preparing a modern workforce to wisely communicate and handle a data-driven future by focusing on modern analytic techniques for making data-driven decisions. Beyond the field of education, he collaborates with banks in developing countries to implement modern analytical techniques that improve client services and expand financial access to underserved and overlooked populations.
LaBarr's extensive experience includes serving as an Associate Teaching Professor at the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University prior to his appointment at Wake Forest. This institute is noted as the nation's first Master of Science in analytics degree program. There, he helped innovate the educational structure by developing and teaching courses in statistics, mathematics, finance, risk management, and operations research. His specific teaching subjects include predictive modeling, forecasting, simulation, financial analytics, and risk management.
Beyond academia, LaBarr possesses substantial industry expertise. He previously held the position of Director and Senior Scientist at Elder Research. In his role directing the Raleigh office, he mentored and led a team of data scientists and software engineers. He frequently collaborated with clients and partners to solve problems across sectors such as banking, consumer product goods, healthcare, and government.
LaBarr's research interests include important areas such as time series forecasting, credit modeling, microfinance, and insurance in developing nations. He earned a Ph.D. in statistics with a minor in economics from NC State University, where he also received his master's in statistics and dual bachelor's degrees in statistics and economics.
LaBarr's extensive experience includes serving as an Associate Teaching Professor at the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University prior to his appointment at Wake Forest. This institute is noted as the nation's first Master of Science in analytics degree program. There, he helped innovate the educational structure by developing and teaching courses in statistics, mathematics, finance, risk management, and operations research. His specific teaching subjects include predictive modeling, forecasting, simulation, financial analytics, and risk management.
Beyond academia, LaBarr possesses substantial industry expertise. He previously held the position of Director and Senior Scientist at Elder Research. In his role directing the Raleigh office, he mentored and led a team of data scientists and software engineers. He frequently collaborated with clients and partners to solve problems across sectors such as banking, consumer product goods, healthcare, and government.
LaBarr's research interests include important areas such as time series forecasting, credit modeling, microfinance, and insurance in developing nations. He earned a Ph.D. in statistics with a minor in economics from NC State University, where he also received his master's in statistics and dual bachelor's degrees in statistics and economics.
Honors
- 2024 - Excellence in Teaching Award, Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University
Research Interests
- Credit Modeling
- Microfinance
- Time Series Forecasting
Teaching Interests
- Machine Learning
- Predictive Modeling
- Business Statistics
- Time Series Forecasting
- Financial Analytics
Education
- Ph D, North Carolina State University (Statistics) - 2010
- MS, North Carolina State University (Statistics) - 2007
- BS, North Carolina State University (Economics) - 2005
- BS, North Carolina State University (Statistics) - 2005
