I am an applied economist, interested in political economy and development economics. I have conducted research on the causes and consequences of civil war, the economics of crime, and the challenges of peace and state building.

Before joining Collegio Carlo Alberto and UniTo, I was Professor of Economics at Universidad del Rosario, where I was named Distinguished Professor in 2014. 

I am the the scientific director of the America Latina Crime and Policy Network (AL CAPONE) of the Latin America and the Caribbean Economics Association (LACEA). 

I have held visiting academic positions at NYU, Harvard, and UCLA. I have served on the board of LACEA and Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP). I was the conference chairman of the 2021 LACEA-LAMES Annual Meeting.

In 2018, I obtained the Juan Luis Londoño Medal Award, granted every two years to a Colombian, aged 40 or younger, who deserves recognition for their contributions to the well-being of Colombians through research that impacts the design and implementation of public policies.