IMF Appoints Indian-origin Harvard Professor Gita Gopinath as Chief Economist

Harvard University professor Gita Gopinath Pic : Photo Courtesy

IMF Appoints Indian-origin Harvard Professor Gita Gopinath as Chief Economist

Indian-origin Harvard University professor Gita Gopinath has been appointed as chief economist of International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday. She will succeed Maurice (Maury) Obstfeld, who would retire at the end of 2018, the IMF said in a statement. Gopinath, 46, currently serves as the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University.

“Gopinath is one of the world’s outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience,” PTI quoted IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde as saying.

Born and brought up in India, Gopinath received her PhD in 2001 from Princeton University in Economics. As per her profile on the Harvard University’s website, Gopinath has also served as a member of the “eminent persons advisory group” on G20 matters for India’s finance ministry. Before joining Harvard, she was an assistant professor at the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.

She has authored some 40 research articles on exchange rates, trade and investment, international financial crises, monetary policy, debt, and emerging market crises. She is co-editor of the American Economic Review and co-director of the International Finance and Macroeconomics Program at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). She is co-editor of the current Handbook of International Economics with Former IMF Economic Counsellor Kenneth Rogoff.

In 2011, she was chosen as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and in 2014, Gopinath was named one of the top 25 economists under 45 by the IMF. In 2017, University of Washington felicitated her with Distinguished Alumnus Award.