IMFx: MDSx Macroeconomic Diagnostics

Dimitre Milkov —I am a Bulgarian national and hold a Ph.D. degree in economics from Northwestern University in the United States. I am an economist in the IMF Institute for Capacity Development. I joined the IMF in 2007 and have also worked in the African Department of the IMF where I participated in missions in missions to Kenya and Cameroon. Prior to joining the IMF, I worked at the World Bank in Washington, DC on debt sustainability issues in low-income countries. My research focuses on variety of issues in international economics, in particular, monetary policy in developing countries and debt sustainability.

Evan Tanner — I am Senior Economist in the Asian Division of the Institute for Capacity Development (ICD) at the IMF. My research covers macroeconomics and fiscal policy issues. I design and deliver training for policy–oriented economists from around the world for the IMF. Previously in the Research Department of the IMF, I developed tools for forecasting and policy assessment. I have taught at the University of Miami and the University of California in Los Angeles. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California in Los Angeles.

Adolfo Barajas — I am a Senior Economist in the Institute for Capacity Development at the IMF. I teach courses in financial sector issues and macroeconomics. I have worked in the Western Hemisphere and Middle East and Central Asia departments of the Fund, and as a researcher in the Colombian central bank and at Fedesarrollo, a private think tank. I have a Ph.D. in economics from the Stanford University and a B.A. in economics from the Universidad de los Andes.

Asel Isakova —I joined the Joint Vienna Institute in October 2013. I previously worked as an Economic Analyst at the Office of the Chief Economist of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from Charles University in Prague and a Master’s Degree in Development studies from the Pierre-Mendes France University in Grenoble. My research interests lie in the area of macroeconomic policies, structural reforms and economic integration. I authored and co—authored a number of publications and working papers on various issues, including monetary policy, inflation, dollarization, international trade, business environment and management of natural resources.

Maksym Ivanyva —I am a Senior Economist at the Joint Vienna Institute, which I joined in 2011. I hold a Doctor’s degree in Economics from Regensburg University (Germany). I also obtained Master’s degree in Mathematics from Lviv National University (Ukraine), M.A. degrees in Economics from Central European University (Hungary) and Michigan State University (USA). I also did a number of consultancy jobs at the IMF, World Bank, European Commission, German Institute for Development, and Centre for EU Enlargement. My research portfolio includes publications and working papers in the fields of fiscal policy, development, growth, corruption, governance, fiscal federalism, taxation, technology adoption and innovation, and structural reform.

Luciana Juvenal —I am a national of Argentina and am an Economist in the Western Hemisphere Division of the IMF Institute for Capacity Development. I joined the International Monetary Fund in 2012. In the IMF, I have also worked at the European Department as an Economist for Portugal and Malta. Before joining the IMF, I worked for 4 years in the Research Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. My research interests are centered around open economy macroeconomics with an emphasis on exchange rates, global imbalances and commodity price fluctuations. My research work has been published in journals like the European Economic Review, the Journal of Applied Econometrics and the Journal of International Economics. I studied Economics at the Universidad de Buenos Aires and hold an M.Sc. in Economics from the University College London and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Warwick. In my free time, I dance tango and race triathlons. My hobbies also include scuba diving and photography.

Mikhail Pranovich —I am an Economist in the European and Middle Eastern Division of the Institute of Capacity Development. Most previously, I was an Economist at the Joint Vienna Institute. Before that, I headed the Monetary Analysis and Forecasting Division at the National Bank of Belarus, worked as an Economist at the Resident Representative Office of the IMF in Minsk and the Regional IMF Office for Central and Eastern Europe in Warsaw. My primary expertise and research interests are in the areas of monetary policy, macro-econometrics, financial econometrics and finance. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Cambridge. I am a national of Belarus.

Younes Zouhar —I am a Senior Economist in the IMF Institute and joined the Fund in 2009. I worked previously in the Middle East and Central Asia Department where I actively participated in program negotiations in low-income and emerging-market countries. Prior to joining the Fund, I was the head of the balance of payments Division at the Treasury Department in the Ministry of Finance in Morocco. I am a graduate of the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics in Rabat and I have a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics. I am a national of Morocco.

Matthew Di Carlo — I am a Project Manager at the IMF. Prior to joining the Online Learning Unit, I previously worked in the Training Operations Division. I specialize in developing courses on the edX platform. I hold a MA in Comparative History from Brandeis University and a MSc In European Politics from the London School of Economics.

Jason Torres — I am a Projects Officer and Instructional Designer with the Institute for Capacity Development at the IMF. Prior to joining the IMF, I was at MIT collaborating on a joint project with the Russian Government. I specialize in designing learning environments and experiences for adult learners and international audiences. I hold an Ed.D. from Texas Tech University in Instructional Technology and a B.A. in Government and Asian Studies from the University of Texas–Austin. I am citizen of the United States of America.

Catherine Timbers — As the video producer in the Online Learning Unit at the IMF, I oversee the preproduction, production and postproduction of every course video. I copyedit video scripts, direct studio shoots and supervise video editing. Prior to coming to the IMF I produced videos for the National Credit Union Administration, National Association of Broadcasters and American Dental Association. Before working in production I was a print reporter writing for newspapers in Northampton, Massachusetts, London and Syracuse, New York. I enjoy volunteering in various organizations and spending time with my husband and our puppy.

Milana Kuzmanovic — I am a Research Analyst at the IMF's Institute for Capacity Development. Prior to joining the Fund, I worked as a structured products analyst at a multinational investment bank in Tokyo. I have studied economics and East Asian studies at Wellesley College. In my free time, I like to read, practice martial arts, and compose music.

Srdjan Beronja — I am a Research Analyst at the IMF's Institute for Capacity Development. Prior to joining the Fund, I worked as a strategy consultant at a multinational bank. I studied economics and international relations at Brown University. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, dancing, and practicing foreign languages. After separating from the Fund, I will be continuing my studies at Cambridge University. Enjoy the course!

Gustavo Stisman — I am from Argentina and I work as a Research Analyst in the IMF, Institute for Capacity Development. Prior to joining the IMF in late August 2015, I obtained a degree in Economics from the National University of Tucuman, Argentina, where I worked as a Teaching Assistant. Outside work, I like watching movies and spending time with my family and friends. Enjoy the course!

Khishigsuren Jargalsaikhan - I am a Research Analyst at the IMF's Institute for Capacity Development. Prior to joining the IMF in 2017, I obtained a degree in Economics and Political Science from Amherst College. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, playing piano, listening to music and hanging out with friends. I am a national of Mongolia.

Kathryn Nelson-Indre —I am a Training Administrator in the Operations Management Division of the Institute for Capacity Development. I am a U.S. national and I have been working in the IMF Institute since 2005. I have a B.S. in Psychology and in 2009 I received my master’s degree in Organizational Management from The George Washington University. In my free time I enjoy being with my husband and two daughters, reading, crafting and gardening. I hope that you find this training beneficial and wish you the best of luck in the course.