What has a (e)spanish guy to contribute to the stock of economic knowledge? Some Professors in Stockholm thought that my insights could be a nice addition to such stock.

But let me please explain to you how all started.
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​Being the firstborn is always challenging: you don't have an older sibling that can give advice to you or whom you can follow. That was my case: born to Jose and Cristina in 1992, I was the first of a large dynasty. They both work as actuaries (is this why I was attracted to Social Security and pensions? Dad is also PhD btw.)

Sister Cristina didn't take came only one year later (1993). After studying Law, she is currently working at the insurance broker AON (yes, I know, very diverse interests in the family...).

Cristina and I playing paintball.

NEWS!!!(as of 25th November 2017): Cristina is getting married 

Sharing the news: Paula in Sydney, Jaime & Jorge in Dublin, Papá, Mamá & Cristina in Madrid, myself in Stockholm

​Next one to come was Paula (1997), who is currently studying law and political science to become a Spanish diplomat (will I have the strength to convince her to instead work at the European Comission?) During her bachelor, she spent two semesters as an exchange student in Sydney and Prague. This, actually, is something I do value a lot about my parents: they have always been keen to see us going abroad. Most likely, as any southern European parents (yes, here we have family links, and we try to main them throughout the life-cycle...), they would have preferred to have us all together in Madrid. 

The last two to come -twins- were Jaime and Jorge, in 2003 (they have not lived in two centuries, will not be able to tell that to their grandchildren...). They do not know it yet, but they will become Econ PhDs. I just need more time to convince them.

Short fun story: in the initial days of pregnancy, suddenly the gynecologist started talking about the incoming baby in plural. Worried, dad asked why was the doctor speaking in plural. Dad instantaneously fainted when the news arrived. 

Jaime and Jorge keep receiving prizes for their outstanding grades. Just like me...😜

However, what I am actually most proud of is introducing them to Star Wars.

​Big family huh? Five siblings. You do not see too many of these out there.

We do enjoy being close...and we have two dogs in the family! Mac and Nessie

​Let me now focus on me. In the end, you are only interested in me...

After finishing High School, I dida Bachelor in Economics at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Apart from being a good student, I had time to enjoy my other passion: football. Believe it or not, I played for many years at Rayo de Majadahonda (Spanish 2nd Division) Academy. But a complicated cruciate ligament injury ended my career.

​Shortly after starting the Bachelor I met Cecilia 👩🏻‍⚕️, my partner in life (or in crime?) At that time studying Medicine, we mostly met in Libraries during the week. Due to this, I started to study econ more seriously. And you know what? I actually liked it a lot. I actually loved it. And I honestly hope that this love for economics will never leave me.

In Caxias, close to Lisbon (Portugal)

Most beautiful city in Spain (and hence, the world...), San Sebastian (Basque Country)

​During my bachelor I was fortunate enough to meet Jose A. Herce, whom directed my Bachelor Thesis. I will never forget the loooong meetings in his office, discussing economics. Herce's explanations on how the Social Security scheme worked were simply terrific. The result of those meetings was a Distinction in the Bachelor Thesis (there were only two, and we were +300 students). Thanks to this, after finishing my degree I had a chance to do the MSc in Economics at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. It was there where I was really introduced to economic research. And I had the chance to interact with one of the most inspiring persons I know, Luisa Fuster. Her explanations, insight and help were essential to write a Master Thesis on private pensions and its welfare caveats.

In the second year of the master I started to apply to European PhDs. The Stockholm School of Economics sent me an offer (signed by Jörgen Weibull...if you know what I mean), which was unrefusable. However, after one year at the institution, I transferred to the Institute of International Economic Studies (IIES) at Stockholm University, to be able to work with John Hassler, Per Krusell,  Kathrin Schlafmann, Kurt Mitman and Timo Boppart.

In the second year of my PhD I had the chance to teach three courses at the PhD-level: Microeconomics II (game theory, industrial organization and asymmetric info), Mathematics III (difference and differential equations, and dynamic optimization in discrete and continuous time) and Macroeconomics I (complete markets and OLG).

Microeconomics II at Room Torsten, Stockholm School of Economics

Thanks to a Scholarship from the Jan Wallanders and Tom Hedelius foundation, I will be visiting the Department of Economics at Harvard University in the 2018/2019 academic year.

I will keep updating this site...if I find an external interest on it.

PS: I will one day tell you the story of the day I coached Real...and we won the league. For now, I will just leave a couple of pictures here.
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Players sometimes need to be scolt.

Short story: while an undergrad, as a Christmas present I asked for a book written by Bernanke. As you can imagine, my whole family started to make fun of me...😜it was a pleasure to meet him personally in Stockholm at the Nobel Symposium!