I do research on three areas: 1) structural transformation, economic shrinking and institutional capabilities with a focus on the role of agricultural sector in developing countries 2) social demography with a focus on health inequalities and labor markets 3) climate change and productivity, with a focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). I do a lot of quantatitive modelling, but grounded on theory drawn mostly from economic history and demography. The motivation to do research on these areas comes from past experience working as deputy minister of labor affairs of Colombia and director of social promotion in the ministry of health in Colombia. However my interest nowadays covers Latinamerica, Africa and Asia.       

I have been teaching development economics and economic history since 2011 at the undergraduate and graduate level. The courses I teach on a regular basis are about inclusive growth, economic development, history of technology, emerging Asia-Economic Transformation in East and South East Asia, including China and India

I worked as a financial controller in the financial sector (Davivienda trust company and BRC Investor Services affiliated to Fitch Ratings) and the real sector (Bayer SA) between 1995 and 2001 in Bogotá. Then I studied at the LSE for two years and went back to Colombia as the academic coordinator of the Master in Government and Public Policy at the Externado University in Bogotá. In 2005 I was appointed as the national director of social promotion in the ministry of health. I had to identify, formulate and implement policies to improve the health conditions of the most vulnerable population of Colombia, win particular Afro-Colombian people. Then I was appointed as deputy minister of labour affairs of Colombia between 2007 and 2008.