Mary Ayobami Akinde
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Graduate Research Assistant
Mary Akinde is a Ph.D. candidate in Consumer Economics and an M.S. student in Statistics at the University of Georgia, whose interdisciplinary research focuses on digital engagement, consumer financial well-being, psychological well-being, and aging.
Dawson Hall
305 Sanford Dr.
Athens, GA 30602
Education
| Degree | Field of Study | Institution | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Consumer Economics | University of Georgia | Present |
| M.S. | Statistics | University of Georgia | Present |
| M.Sc. | Management and Analytics for Business | National Research University Higher School of Economics | June 2022 |
| B.Sc. | Economics | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | April 2018 |
Research
My research focuses on understanding how economic, financial, technological, and socioeconomic factors influence consumer decision-making and well-being across the life course. I am particularly interested in how digital engagement and financial literacy shape individuals' ability to navigate increasingly digital financial, healthcare, and consumer environments.
Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from consumer economics, behavioral research, and statistics, I investigate questions related to digital inclusion, financial vulnerability, psychological well-being, and aging. My research employs nationally representative datasets and advanced quantitative methodologies, including factor analysis, structural equation modeling, latent class analysis, regression modeling, and machine learning.
My overarching goal is to generate evidence that informs consumer education, promotes financial resilience, supports equitable digital participation, and contributes to policies and interventions that enhance individual and family well-being.
Teaching
Instructor of Record - FHCE 2100E: Introduction to Consumer Economics
Prior Professional Positions
| Organization | Title | Years of Service |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, University of Georgia | Graduate Assistant for Data Analytics & Institutional Performance | Summer 2025, Summer 2026, Present |
| Franklin College Office of Academic Innovation, University of Georgia | Research Data Analyst | August 2025 - May 2026 |
| Department of Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics | Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant | August 2022 - May 2025 |
| Union Bank of Nigeria | Data Analyst | April 2020 - July 2022 |
Awards
| Award Name | Awarded By | Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Student and Young Professional Conference Scholarship | American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI) | 2026 |
| Graduate Degree Accelerator Award | University of Georgia Graduate School | 2025 |
| Experiential Professional Development | University of Georgia Graduate School | 2025 |
| Graduate Degree Accelerator Award | University of Georgia Graduate School | 2023 |
| Virginia Wilbanks Kilgore Scholarship | University of Georgia | 2023 |
| Open Doors Russian Scholarship | Open Doors International Olympiad | 2020 |
| First Class Award Prize | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | 2018 |
Service
| Organization | Title | Year(s) | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia Statistical Consulting Center | Volunteer Consultant Associate | 2025 - Presemt | University Service |
| Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning | Peer Reviewer | Professional Service | |
| Finance Research Open | Peer Reviewer | Professional Service |
Outreach
Volunteer Consultant Associate - University of Georgia, Statistical Consulting Center(SCC)
Advisory Committee
Dr. Diann Moorman — Dissertation Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Patryk Babiarz — Dissertation Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Lu Fan — Dissertation Committee Member
Areas of Expertise
- Digital Engagement and Digital Inclusion;
- Aging and Technology;
- Consumer Financial Well-Being;
- Financial Literacy; Psychological Well-Being;
- Health Literacy;
- Applied Statistics;
- Psychometrics and Scale Development;
- Structural Equation Modeling;
- Machine Learning;
- Data Analytics and Visualization
In addition to my academic research, I have professional experience in business intelligence, research analytics, statistical consulting, and data-driven decision support. My work includes developing predictive models, building interactive dashboards, analyzing complex datasets, and translating analytical findings into actionable recommendations.
At the University of Georgia, I have contributed to institutional analytics projects supporting academic planning, instructional resource allocation, and operational efficiency. My interdisciplinary background enables me to bridge rigorous statistical research with practical applications in consumer economics, organizational decision-making, and public policy.
Current Research
Digital Engagement in Later Life: Three Essays on Latent Dimensions, Well-Being Associations, and the Mediating Role of Digital Engagement among Older Americans
Publications
Parker, J. L., Berghaus, L. J., Gordon, J., Mathews, L., Akinde, M. A., Hall, D. B., & Peroni, J. F. (2025). Impact of IL-6 and TGF-β1 on equine mesenchymal stromal cell homing gene expression. Research in Veterinary Science, 197, 105969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105969
Fasanya, I. O., & Akinde, M. A. (2019). Volatility transmission in the Nigerian financial market. The Journal of Finance and Data Science, 5(2), 99–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfds.2019.01.003
Working Papers
Akinde, M. A., Babiarz, P., Fan, L., & Moorman, D. (2026). Beyond digital access: Development and validation of a digital engagement scale for older adults in the United States. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-10273550/v1
Akinde, M. A., Babiarz, P., & Moorman, D. Unsecured debt and psychological well-being among older Americans: The role of health literacy. Manuscript under peer review.
Akinde, M. A., Norris, K., & Remar, D. Predicting and managing food waste in institutional hospitality: A machine learning approach. Research manuscript.
Akinde, M. A., & Moorman, D. Marital status, parenthood, and financial well-being: A gendered life course perspective on family economic dynamics. Research manuscript.
Akinde, M. A., Diaz-Valenzuela, J.-F., & Babiarz, P. Hazy days, heavy minds: Air quality and mental health-related online search activity in Atlanta. Research manuscript.