IMFx: MFx Macroeconometric Forecasting

Reda Cherif - I am an Economist at the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development. I joined the Fund in 2008. Before joining ICD I worked in the Fiscal Affairs and the Middle-East and Central Asia Departments. I hold a PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago. My research focuses on development economics, time series econometrics and international trade.

Sam Ouliaris - I am the former Chief of the Internal Training Unit in the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development (ICD), responsible for the training of IMF staff. Prior to joining the IMF’s Institute in 2009, I was a staff member of the IMF’s Research Department and the Western Hemisphere Department. I have a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University, specializing in econometrics (time-series, forecasting) and macroeconomics. Before 2011, I was also a Professor of Economics at the National University of Singapore. I have been a consultant to a number of ministries in Asia, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Bank Negara Malaysia. I am a national of Australia.

Adolfo Barajas - I am a Senior Economist at the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development. Prior to that, I worked in the Middle East and Central Asia Department and the Western Hemisphere Department. I have a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University, specializing in finance and development and open economy macroeconomics. Before 1994, I was a Senior Economist in the Research Department of the Central Bank of Colombia, and a researcher at Fedesarrollo, a private think tank in Bogotá, Colombia. I am a national of Colombia.

Adina Popescu - I am an Economist in Institute for Capacity Development. I worked on assignments in the European Department on both program and surveillance countries. Prior to the IMF, I was an economist for the European Central Bank, working on monetary policy implementation, strategy and research. I hold a PhD in Economics from the London Business School with a thesis optimal government spending. My research topics are in applied and quantitative macroeconomics and Bayesian and frequentist econometrics. I am a national of Romania.

Jorge Restrepo - I am a national of Chile and Colombia, a Senior Economist in the Institute’s Western Hemisphere Division. Prior to joining the IMF Institute in 2010, I have worked for 10 years at the Central Bank of Chile’s Economic Research Department, and also worked at the Central Bank of Colombia. I received my Ph.D. in Economics from New York University. My research includes papers on inflation targeting, demand for money, equilibrium unemployment, fiscal rules, and central bank balance sheets.

Dmitry Plotnikov - I am an economist at the Western Hemisphere Department. At the time of course production, I worked at the Institute for Capacity Development in the European and Middle Eastern Division. I received a Ph.D. in Economics from University of California, Los Angeles. So far my research has focused on labor market issues and multiple equilibria. My hobbies include biking and tennis in the summer and snowboarding during the winter. I am a national of Russia.

Mikhail Pranovich - I am an Economist at the Joint Vienna Institute. I previously 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.

Patrick Healy - I am American and began work as a Research Analyst for the Institute’s Online Learning Unit in 2013. Prior to starting at the IMF, I studied economics and government at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. I will help to monitor the discussion forums for the course and will do my best to respond to any questions and concerns you may have. When not working, I enjoy playing tennis and practicing the guitar. Best of luck!

Carl Sandberg - I am a Research Analyst at the IMF's Institute for Capacity Development. I will monitor the discussion forum and help answer your questions on the course material. Prior to joining the IMF, I studied economics and global affairs at Yale University. Outside work, I am an aspiring street-musician. I also enjoy sports and mountaineering. I hope you will find the course interesting!

Ghanshyam Kumar - I am Indian national working as a Projects Officer at the IMF. I have been leading the technical team and together we have worked hard to bring this course to you. We will do our best to make sure that you have the best learning experience possible. When not working, I enjoy playing soccer, chess, and making amateur films.

Natalia Malysheva - I am Russian and have been working at the IMF since 2008. I helped put together the video material, which I hope you will find fun and useful. In my free time, I enjoy photography, music, biking, and car racing.

Matt Di Carlo - I serve as Lead in inputting the assessment questions for IMF Courses, including this one. I am an American citizen from Boston, MA and joined the Fund in 2006. I have Masters Degrees in History from Brandeis University and in European Politics from the London School of Economics. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, following baseball, and watching classic movies.

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!

Dina Yunus - I am a Programs Assistant at IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development. I support the team with registering applications and enrollment. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the course. I am German and have a Masters Degree in International Business Management from Aachen University, Germany. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, travelling and yoga. Enjoy the course!

Xingwei Hu - I am currently an IT Officer at the IMF. My duties include macroeconomic modeling, econometric support, and teaching training courses. Prior to coming to the Fund, I was financial engineer, econometrician, and software engineer. I have a PhD in game theory from UCLA. I spend my free time with my family, sports, and movies.

Timothy Stang - I am currently a Technical Director for broadcast operations at the IMF. I’ve spent my career working in various segments of broadcast including sports, news, government and corporate sectors. Prior to coming to the IMF I was a Video Editor and Technical Director at the Washington Bureau of Bloomberg Television. In my free time I enjoy reading, playing piano, golf, and running.