(Image source from: Bloomberg)

An Indian-American Harvard University professor and Kerala government's economic adviser Gita Gopinath has been appointed chief economist of the IMF or International Monetary Fund, the financial body’s chief Christine Lagarde announced on Monday.

She replaces Maurice (Maury) Obstfeld, a chief economist who announced in July that she would retire in December.

Gopinath, 46, is the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University. Her research centers on macroeconomics and international finance.  

"Gita is one of the world's outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience," Lagarde said. "All this makes her exceptionally well-placed to lead our Research Department at this important juncture. I am delighted to name such a talented figure as our Chief Economist," she said.

Gopinath, who was born and grew up India, received her Doctorate in economics from Princeton University in 2001 after earning Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delhi and Master of Arts from both the Delhi School of Economics and University of Washington. She joined the University of Chicago as an Assistant Professor in 2001 before moving to Harvard in 2005. She became a tenured Professor there in 2010.

Gopinath has likewise served as a member of the "eminent persons advisory group" on G20 (Group of Twenty) matters for India's finance ministry, her profile on the Harvard University website says. Before joining Harvard, she was an assistant professor of economics at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.

In 2018, she was chosen a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Earlier this year, she received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Washington.

She was named one of the top 25 economists under 45 in 2014 by the IMF and in 2011, she was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

-Sowmya Sangam