I currently serve as the Chief Economist for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) region at the World Bank. In this role, I lead research and analytical work and advise on project design and policy. In 2021, I founded the Central Bank Regional Research Network (RRN) to promote economic debate and evidence-based policy making in MENAAP.   

Previously, I was the Chief Economist for the Global Human Development Practice Group, where I co-led the development and launch of the World Bank’s Human Capital Index. I also oversaw the Service Delivery Indicators initiative, which collects nationally representative data on the quality of health and education services across countries.

I joined the World Bank as a Young Professional in the Macro unit of the Development Research Group. My academic research spans a large set of topics: growth and macro, corruption, labor and health. I led several World Bank flagship publications, including Jobs for Shared Prosperity: Time for Action in the Middle East and North Africa; Being Fair, Faring Better: Promoting Equality of Opportunity for Marginalized Roma; The Human Capital Project; The Human Capital Index 2020 Update: Human Capital in the Time of COVID-19. 

Over the years, I have led policy dialogue—including as Global Lead for Labor Policies—and managed operational teams and lending portfolios across the MENAAP and Europe and Central Asia regions. 

My research has a broad scope, with a particular focus on human development and governance. I also collaborate with project teams and policymakers to bridge research and policy, fostering innovation and evidence-based design. 

I hold a B.A. in Economics from Università Bocconi and a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University. I have taught undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. courses at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities. Teaching is a passion of mine, and I regularly lecture at universities around the world.