Meet the faculty teaching in Warrington’s MSM in AI program in Jacksonville

Warrington’s Master of Science in Management in Artificial Intelligence program in Jacksonville is designed to prepare students to lead in a business world increasingly shaped by AI. But beyond a forward-looking curriculum and flexible format, one of the program’s defining strengths is the faculty behind it.

Students in the Jacksonville-based MSM in AI program learn from the same accomplished faculty members who teach in Warrington’s on-campus programs in Gainesville. These professors bring deep expertise across artificial intelligence, analytics, strategy and business leadership, along with active research agendas and real-world industry insight.

That means Jacksonville students receive the same academic rigor, high standards and direct access to thought leaders that have helped establish Warrington as a nationally recognized business school. Faculty members challenge students to think critically about how AI is transforming organizations while equipping them with practical tools to apply emerging technologies responsibly and effectively.

Meet the faculty teaching in Warrington’s MSM in AI program and learn how their expertise helps bridge cutting-edge research with real business impact.

Berkay Akyapi

Berkay Akyapi is a clinical assistant professor in the Information Systems and Operations Management Department at Warrington, where he brings interdisciplinary expertise spanning machine learning, geospatial data analysis and environmental economics.

His work connects business analytics with real-world challenges, including research examining the economic impacts of extreme weather events such as heat waves and droughts, which has been featured by UF News. In the classroom, Akyapi teaches subjects including business systems, managerial statistics, operations analysis, Python programming and business analytics.

His teaching portfolio reflects both technical depth and practical business application, helping students build analytical and problem-solving skills relevant to today’s data-driven organizations.

• Ph.D.: University of Florida
• Master’s: Middle East Technical University
• Bachelor’s: Bilkent University

John Banko

John Banko is an instructional professor of finance and the director of the Wealth Management Program at Warrington, where he also serves as a Wells Fargo Faculty Fellow. With a career that spans academia, finance and technology, Banko has built a reputation for combining technical expertise with student-centered teaching and professional development.

Before joining UF’s faculty, he held academic positions at Northern Illinois University and the University of Central Florida and worked in systems development, including helping build UF’s administrative and academic systems. Banko teaches a wide range of finance courses, from business finance and financial modeling to financial plan development.

He has also played an active role in the finance profession through service with organizations such as the Financial Planning Association, the Financial Management Association and the CFA Partner Program, helping strengthen connections between students and industry.

• Ph.D.: University of Florida
• Bachelor’s: University of Florida

Odile Guinot

Odile Guinot is a clinical assistant professor at Warrington whose career spans global sales leadership, executive management and higher education. Before joining academia, Guinot built an accomplished career as a sales executive known for driving innovation and surpassing performance goals across competitive industries.

Her professional leadership experience informs her teaching, where she brings a strong emphasis on strategy, communication and real-world business application. Colleagues and industry professionals have recognized her as a creative and strategic leader who inspires high performance and collaboration.

Beyond the classroom, Guinot has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success and the broader UF community through philanthropy and engagement, including support for scholarship and experiential learning initiatives. Her combination of executive expertise, leadership and dedication to mentorship strengthens Warrington’s connection between business education and industry practice.

• DBA: University of Florida
• MBA: University of Florida
• Bachelor’s: Northern Illinois University

Gabriel Pundrich

Gabriel Pundrich is an assistant professor at Warrington whose work bridges accounting research and advanced analytics. His research applies artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing to complex accounting and financial questions, with expertise spanning debt contracting, mergers and acquisitions, financial reporting, credit ratings, and municipal bonds.

Prior to joining UF, Pundrich held faculty and research appointments at institutions including Bocconi University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also served as a research affiliate and visiting scholar.

He has contributed to the field through editorial leadership as an associate editor and journal editor and has published research in leading journals such as The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting & Economics and European Accounting Review. In the classroom, Pundrich teaches accounting information systems, data analytics and financial accounting, preparing students to navigate an increasingly data-driven business environment.

• Ph.D.: University of Technology Sydney
• Master’s: Politecnico di Milano
• Bachelor’s: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul