We remain grateful to our previous members for their involvement and support throughout the years.
The Rare Voices in Economics initiative could not exist today without their help and work.
Thank you!
Co-founders
I did my undergrad at U Mannheim and my Master's at Barcelona GSE. My research interests lie at the intersection of macro, finance and environmental economics. I am very interested in economic policy and have previously interned at the ECB and the IMF.
Laura Nowzohour
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy) and a master's in Economics from the HEC Lausanne (Switzerland). My research fields are Political Economy, with a focus on the interaction between organized crime and institutions, Labour Economics, and Migration Economics.
Outside academia, I love hiking and biking around Switzerland and dancing swing.
I grew up between Brazil, the United States, and France, and started my career in policy work at the Climate Investment Funds (a Trust Fund of the World Bank) before starting my PhD in political economy in Lausanne. I am interested in political economy, development economics, and climate change economics, all from a micro perspective. I am currently running a field experiment in Bogotá, and am exploring different facets of the effects of climate change on conflict and development.
Alice Antunes
University of Lausanne
Former Co-Presidents
I did my undergraduate and master studies at the University of Lausanne with one year exchange at McGill University in Montreal. I worked a year in England before going back to my alma mater university to pursue a Ph.D. My research focus is on conflict, political, and development economics, I am particularly interested in gender-related questions.
I love listening to podcasts and a ton of music when I am working. When I’m off a computer, I enjoy traveling, ice-skating, baking, yoga, and movies.
Katja Bergonzoli (she/her)
University of Lausanne
I did my undergrad studies at the University of Bern and my Master's at HEC Lausanne, both with a focus on Economics. After an exchange semester at NHH in Bergen, Norway, I was an intern at Swiss Economics. My main research interest is theoretical industrial organization.
Besides being a sweet tooth, I am passionate about fashion and sports. As a chionophile, you will find me on any type of ski during the winter months.
Noëmi Jacober (she/her)
University of Lausanne
I hold a B.Sc. in Economics from Presidency University, Calcutta and a Master's in Economics (Specialisation in Trade and Finance) from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. My areas of interest are: Development Economics with a focus on Poverty and Gender, and International Trade. I have also worked briefly with the Reserve Bank of India.
I am a passionate vocalist & music lover, avid reader, and a cinema enthusiast. I enjoy connecting with people and knowing about the global cultural diversity. Traveling, exploring and cooking bring peace and happiness to me.
I finished my BSc and MSc at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland with Quantitative Economics and Macroeconomic Policy orientations. I worked as a research assistant at the Swiss National Bank for a year before starting my Ph.D. at the Graduate Institute. My research interest covers monetary policy and international finance in connection with climate change.
In my spare time, I like to compensate for sitting in front of the computer with hiking, running, and horseback riding.
Viktória Vidaházy (she/her)
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
Alumni
I hold a BSc. in Economics from the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and an MSc. in Environmental and Natural Ressource Economics from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark). My research interests lie mainly in climate policy design and energy market regulation, with a focus on applied microeconomic theory.
Language lover, keen baker, voracious taveller and recent runner. I'm at my happiest on a long walk or sharing a beer with good friends.
Felipe Fausto (he/him)
University of Geneva
I spent my undergraduate years in Beijing at Renmin University of China. After my studies in the master's program in Economics at the Graduate Institute, I have moved to the University of Lausanne to pursue my PhD degree. My research interests lie in macroeconomics, especially on small and medium firms' borrowing constraints and its implications.
I hold Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics from Jadavpur University. Before my PhD, I interned at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India. My focus areas are environmental and energy economics, particularly their role in development and political economics.
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Outside of academia, I am passionate about photography, enjoy hiking and playing chess, and love exploring new cities and their unique cultures.
Pritam Saha (he/him)
University of Geneva
Wenxia Tang (she/her)
University of Lausanne
I hold a BSc and a Master’s degree in Economics from Los Andes University. I currently work as a research analyst of the Gender Innovation Lab, part of the Office of the Chief Economist for the Africa Region at the World Bank. Before, I worked with the Development Research Group (DIME) and other research institutions such as Center of Economic Development Studies (CEDE), Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), and International food Policy (IFPRI). I have worked a lot with field work projects and have strong knowledge on impact evaluation. My main focus is on gender, agriculture economics and entrepreneurhsip.
When I'm not knee deep in data, I enjoy cycling and I have a huge soft spot for elephants. I have a healthy addiction to feminist literature and I like to explore the obstacles that stand between us and a fair and equitable society through literature.
Paula Gonzalez (she/her)
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
I have a bachelor's from the University of Delhi and masters from the University of East Anglia and The Graduate Institute. In the past, I have worked with JPAL, the World Bank, WIPO, and ITC. My research covers areas of Public Policy, Gender, and Conflict.
I am also a travel and yoga enthusiast and turned vegan recently.
Kritika Saxena (she/her)
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
I hold a BSc in Management and a MSc in Economics from the University of Bologna (Italy), where I am also an alumna of Collegio Superiore of Alma Mater Studiorum. Before starting my PhD, I worked for the Center for CeRP at Collegio Carlo Alberto in Turin. My research focuses on Education, Gender and Labor Economics.
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I am a keen Opera lover and I try to put my degree in violin to good use when I have time. I love cycling, running, hiking and virtually any activity taking place outdoors or in a theater.
Eleonora Brandimarti (she/her)
University of Geneva
I hold a BSc in Economics from the University of Geneva and a MSc in Economics from the University of Lausanne. Prior to my PhD, I worked as an intern in Monetary Policy Analysis at the Swiss National Bank. My research focuses on monetary economics, international macroeconomics and financial economics. I am particularly interested in the relationship between global liquidity, monetary policy and sovereign debt management.
I am a creative person who thrives in artistic environments. I shoot black and white analogue photography and play the piano. I am also a chess enthusiast who enjoys occasional sport activities such as basketball and bouldering.
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Maxime Phillot (he/him)
University of Lausanne
I have a bachelor degree from the University of Bologna and a master degree from the Graduate Institute. I am a research assistant at the Center for Finance and Development, for which i conduct fieldwork in Bangladesh. Before starting the PhD I worked at the WTO, the ILO and the German institute for economic research (DIW). My research focuses on financial inclusion and women labor force participation.
I am an insatiable reader but i also enjoy aperos by the lake, countryside bike rides and smashing the glass ceiling (and the "angels of the house").
Carlotta Nani (she/her)
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
I have a BSc in International Relations from the University of Turin and a MSc in Economics and Political Science from the University of Milan. Currently, I am working on my own research and teaching as a PhD candidate at the University of Geneva. My main focus are intergenerational mobility, urban economics, and migration choices. Before my PhD I have worked for Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, investigating migration and integration patterns in Europe.
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The need of feeding my curiosity pushes me towards reading about everything and talking to everyone, trying to develop connections with people and ideas outside my field. I enjoy running, alone or in groups, and occasionally climbing and skiing.
Pietro Campa
University of Geneva
I hold a BSc in Economics from the Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain) and a MSc in Economics from the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands). My research interests are Human Development and Conflict and the Economics of Crime. Before my PhD, I worked with NGOs and the United Nations.
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I am also a slow reader, street food enthusiast, and amateur DJ
Orlando Zambrano Roman
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
I am finishing my PhD in Economics at the Graduate Institute. Before, I worked at the IMF as a research analyst in the Middle East Department. My current research focuses on corporate profits and price dynamics.
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I bike whenever (and anywhere) I can. Maybe one day I'll get into repairing vintage watches if I ever find the time...
Gregory Auclair
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's in Economics from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. I am currently a PhD candidate and teaching assistant in Applied Economics Workshop and Microeconomics (Game Theory). My primary research interest are political economy, conflict studies, and broadly applied microeconomics.
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I am a travel enthusiast and a foodie. I'm sometimes too lazy and do love watching web-series.
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Souparna Maji
University of Geneva