Reza holds a Ph.D. in finance from the University of Missouri, an MBA from Indiana State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, where he majored in mathematics, economics, and East Asian Languages and Cultures. Prior to completing his graduate studies, he worked as a data analyst in the insurance industry. Professor Houston has published research in numerous academic journals, including Managerial Finance, Accounting and Finance Research, and Advances in Financial Economics. He has served as a journal referee, presented numerous papers, and acted as a discussant at international conferences. He currently maintains research interests in the role of the political economy, credit risk, and mergers and acquisitions.​