Numerix Names Ella Ceroni Recipient of the 2026 Women in Finance Scholarship

Numerix is pleased to announce Ella Ceroni as the recipient of the 2026 Numerix Women in Finance Scholarship, recognizing her exceptional academic achievements, passion for quantitative finance, and commitment to advancing innovation within the financial services industry.

Numerix’s annual scholarship supports exceptional women pursuing graduate studies in financial engineering, quantitative finance, risk management, and related disciplines. Through this initiative, Numerix continues its commitment to helping cultivate the next generation of women leaders in quantitative finance.

About Our Winner: Ella Ceroni

Originally from just outside Toronto, Canada, Ceroni recently completed her undergraduate degree in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto, specializing in Mathematics, Statistics and Finance Engineering. Throughout her studies, she maintained an outstanding academic record while exploring the intersection of mathematics, computing and financial markets. This fall, she will begin pursuing her Master of Science in Computational Finance at Carnegie Mellon University, where she plans to further develop the quantitative skills that will support her career in financial research.

While her academic accomplishments are impressive, Ceroni's path to quantitative finance has been shaped by experiences both inside and outside the classroom. A dedicated ballet dancer for much of her life, she spent several summers training in intensive programs in New York City and Boston. The discipline, precision and persistence required in classical ballet continue to influence the way she approaches complex analytical problems today.

"One of the things ballet taught me was how to solve problems that don't always have an obvious solution," Ceroni explained. "You're constantly refining, iterating and looking at challenges from different perspectives. I realized those same qualities are what drew me to quantitative finance."

Although she entered university intending to explore the many branches of engineering, her growing interest in global markets and economics gradually led her toward financial engineering. She discovered that quantitative finance offered the ideal combination of mathematical problem-solving and understanding how businesses, markets and economies interact.

"I've always loved mathematics, but I also became fascinated by how finance influences nearly every aspect of the global economy," she said. "Quantitative finance brings those interests together in a very meaningful way."

Beyond the classroom, Ceroni gained valuable industry experience through investment banking, where she worked on projects involving equity derivatives and convertible bonds while developing a broader understanding of capital markets. She also completed undergraduate research examining how industry context influences market reactions to ESG news, applying machine learning and quantitative analysis to financial data.

While she appreciated the exposure to corporate finance, those experiences ultimately confirmed that her passion lies in tackling technical, data-driven challenges.

"I realized I enjoy solving complex, ambiguous problems," she said. "That's what excites me most about quantitative research—developing hypotheses, improving models and continuously finding better solutions."

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Ceroni hopes to build a career in quantitative research, with particular focus in systematic investing, portfolio construction, and the growing applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning within financial markets.

Receiving the Numerix Women in Finance Scholarship represents more than financial support—it serves as encouragement as she prepares to enter a field where women remain underrepresented, particularly in highly technical roles.

"When I found the Numerix scholarship, it felt like it aligned perfectly with the career I want to pursue," Ceroni said. "Supporting women in these technical fields sends a powerful message that we belong in these spaces. It gives women confidence to pursue careers that may come with challenges, knowing there are organizations investing in their success."

When asked what advice she would offer other women considering careers in quantitative finance, Ceroni emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence while embracing continuous learning.

"It’s important to remain open to learning and receptive to feedback," she said. "There will always be challenges, but every obstacle is an opportunity to grow. And don't underestimate yourself. It's easy to think everyone else in the room is smarter than you, but if someone else can achieve something, you can too."

Elevating Women in Finance 

The Numerix Women in Finance Scholarship was established to help address the gender gap within quantitative finance and financial technology by supporting talented women pursuing advanced education and careers in these disciplines. Since its inception, the scholarship has recognized exceptional students who demonstrate both academic excellence and the potential to make meaningful contributions to the future of financial markets.

Congratulations to Ella Ceroni, the 2026 Numerix Women in Finance Scholarship recipient. We wish her continued success as she begins the next chapter of her academic journey and look forward to seeing the impact she makes throughout her career.