USA, Austin, Texas. November 12, 2019

The Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of new research scholars Ana-Denisa Irimescu and Gustavo Miranda to the HFTP Middle East Research Center. To support the development of international partnerships in research in the hospitality industry, the HFTP Foundation funds a research scholarship program for two incoming MBA in Hospitality Management students at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management each year. The scholars are selected to take on the hybrid role of research scholars for HFTP and are given the opportunity to disseminate findings from their monthly research and final dissertations to the vast body of readers of HFTP's content platforms.

Under the instruction of Dr. Sanjay Nadkarni, Director of Innovation & Research at EAHM, the research scholars have begun writing their first research sections for HFTP's monthly EAHM Bulletin. As the former scholars begin the final stretches of their dissertations, Irimescu and Miranda are embarking on a year full of rigorous study that will only broaden the possibilities and considerations for their final research.

Although both students stand out for their impressive academic and professional experience, they represent complementary sides of the hospitality management field, with Irimescu tending toward guest-facing operations and Miranda towards technology. Both scholars are polyglots, and between the pair of them they speak five languages.

"Ana-Denisa and Gustavo are a wonderful addition to the HFTP Research Team" said HFTP Foundation Executive Director Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA. "Their industry experience and educational achievements will advance the HFTP Foundation's purpose of developing research for the hospitality industry."

Hailing from Romania, Irimescu is passionate about Food & Beverage operations, and is dedicated to the intricate process of creating meaningful memories for guests through seamless service. Irimescu achieved her Bachelor of Business Administration degree with special honors in International Hospitality Management from EAHM. Her extensive resume boasts numerous positions in fine dining services, private events and conferences. While F&B is her passion, Irimescu's academic work has been multifaceted: her undergraduate career was punctuated by an outstanding dissertation exploring the impact of perception and attitude on career progression in the hospitality industry, in which she consulted a large body of peers and literature to shed light on trends in the industry that affect its ability to attract future leaders.

A native of Portugal, Miranda has pursued a hospitality career that focuses on Information Technology, business analysis, and security. With his eye particularly set on the technological side of the future of hospitality, he is a skilled programmer, and holds numerous certifications, including Business Foundations (CBBF) and as a Blockchain Solution Architect (CBSA). Miranda's work experience has taken him from restaurants and private security enterprises in Lisbon to business analysis and sales at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai. As an undergraduate, Miranda earned top marks for his dissertation on the impact of data analysis on hospitality businesses.

The students will leverage their unique expertise by publishing regular written pieces on hospitality finance and technology, which will be available on HFTP Connect and Pineapplesearch.com.

About HFTP Foundation

The HFTP Foundation is the newly-established philanthropic arm of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®). The foundation assists HFTP in securing nonprofit funding for hospitality and travel industry-related research, educational projects and scholarships. The HFTP Foundation oversees the three HFTP Research Centers - Americas, Asia and the Middle East.