Her research focuses on consumer behavior and symbolic consumption–how consumers use products and brands to express who they are and signal status. Professor Bellezza’s work uncovers the role of alternative signals of status (e.g., nonconforming behaviors, lack of leisure time) and establishes new perspectives on brand communities (e.g., the distinction between “Brand Tourists” and “Brand Immigrants”). Before joining Columbia, she earned her doctorate in Marketing at Harvard Business School and worked in the marketing departments of L.V.M.H and Dannon. Professor Bellezza teaches a core marketing course to MBA and executive MBA students, and has previously taught a core marketing course to undergrads.