Transcript: Ankur Crawford, Portfolio Manager, Alger Capital Appreciation

BARRY RITHOLTZ: This week on the podcast, we have an additional special guest: Dr. Ankur Crawford serves as co-head portfolio manager of large cap strategies at Alger. She boasts an impressive background, having worked as an engineer at Intel, receiving multiple patents, and being honored as one of the top women in asset management.

For those intrigued by the intricacies of artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and software, you'll find this conversation particularly captivating. Without further ado, let's begin our dialogue with Alger's Dr. Ankur Crawford. Dr. Ankur Crawford, welcome to Bloomberg.

ANKUR CRAWFORD: Thank you for having me, Barry.

BARRY RITHOLTZ: Let's start with your unique background. You hold a double Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering from UC Berkeley, followed by a Master's and PhD in materials science and engineering at Stanford. What was your initial career plan?

ANKUR CRAWFORD: I didn't have one, to be honest. Growing up, I was following my brother's footsteps. He, too, was a mechanical engineer who became an orthopedic surgeon. I wanted to keep my options open, not knowing what I wanted to do.

BARRY RITHOLTZ: So your brother pursued a career in orthopedic surgery after also earning a mechanical engineering degree. Does he design replacement joints or work on device configurations?

ANKUR CRAWFORD: He does. He brings his mechanical engineering expertise into device design and configurations. He collaborates with device companies as well. As a child, I was captivated by figuring out how things work, whether it was a car or a calculator. I enjoyed building things, which led me to appreciate mechanical engineering as a way to satisfy my curiosity about understanding how things work.

BARRY RITHOLTZ: And I read that you once aspired to become an astronaut. Is that correct?

ANKUR CRAWFORD: Yes, I did. Growing up near Cape Canaveral in Florida, I watched the space shuttle launch with fascination. The astronauts were celebrities to me, and I wanted to be one for many years.

BARRY RITHOLTZ: I was born in Kansas, but my family moved to the Middle East, then to a convent boarding school in the Himalayas, and finally to Buffalo, New York. Is that accurate?

ANKUR CRAWFORD: Yes, all of that is true.

BARRY RITHOLTZ: That's quite a diverse global upbringing. How does this shape your perspectives on international investing or the concept of risk and reward?

ANKUR CRAWFORD: It significantly influences how I view cultural differences when assessing companies and management teams. Understanding the cultural nuances helps me evaluate a problem more objectively, as it takes the blinders off. For instance, consider Nebius, a Russian CEO who is incredibly humble and always points out the company's shortcomings.

While this might seem concerning to some investors, it's simply his cultural norm. Living in various countries and experiencing diverse religions has given me a unique perspective on any issue I encounter.