Sergio Rebelo: Academic Journey and Contributions to Economics
Sergio Rebelo is a distinguished economist whose career spans prestigious academic institutions and influential global financial organizations. Born on October 29, 1959, in Portugal, Rebelo has dedicated his professional life to the study of economics, specifically focusing on international finance and long-term growth rates.
Educational Foundation
Rebelo's academic path began in his home country, where he earned a Licenciatura (a Portuguese undergraduate degree) in Economics from the Portuguese Catholic University in 1981. He further specialized in operations research—the application of advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions—earning a master's degree from the Technical University of Lisbon in 1985.
To complete his advanced training, Rebelo moved to the United States to attend the University of Rochester. He earned a master's degree in economics in 1987 and a doctorate in 1989. His doctoral research was conducted under the supervision of renowned economists Robert King and Paul Romer.
Academic Career and Professorships
Rebelo entered the American academic circuit in 1988 as an assistant professor of finance at Northwestern University, where he was promoted to associate professor in 1991. He later returned to the University of Rochester as an Associate Professor of Economics from 1992 to 1997.
In 1997, Rebelo joined the Kellogg School of Management, where he held the title of Tokai Bank Distinguished Professor of International Finance. His leadership capabilities were further recognized when he served as the chair of the Finance Department between 2000 and 2002.
Throughout his career, Rebelo maintained strong ties to his roots in Portugal. He served as an instructor at the Catholic University of Portugal from 1981 to 1984 and returned as a visiting assistant professor during the 1990–1991 and 1991–1992 academic years. During the latter period, he also directed the finance M.B.A. program and the executive program in banking at the institution.
Professional Roles and Global Impact
Beyond the classroom, Rebelo has applied his expertise to high-level policy and research. From 1990 to 1992, he coordinated a significant project for the World Bank, which investigated how national economic policies influence long-term growth rates. Simultaneously, he served as the research coordinator for the Bank of Portugal.
Currently, Rebelo continues to contribute to the field as a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), focusing on international finance, and as a research fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. In recognition of his contributions to the field, he was named a fellow of the Econometric Society in 2006.
Key Facts
- Born: October 29, 1959, in Portugal.
- Doctorate: PhD in Economics from the University of Rochester (1989).
- Key Appointments: Northwestern University, University of Rochester, and Kellogg School of Management.
- Leadership: Chair of the Finance Department at Kellogg (2000–2002).
- Global Work: Coordinated World Bank research on long-term growth rates (1990–1992).
- Honors: Fellow of the Econometric Society since 2006.
| Period | Institution/Organization | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Portuguese Catholic University | Licenciatura in Economics |
| 1985 | Technical University of Lisbon | Master's in Operations Research |
| 1989 | University of Rochester | Doctorate in Economics |
| 1988–1992 | Northwestern University | Assistant/Associate Professor of Finance |
| 1990–1992 | World Bank / Bank of Portugal | Research Coordinator |
| 1992–1997 | University of Rochester | Associate Professor of Economics |
| 1997–Present | Kellogg School of Management | Tokai Bank Distinguished Professor |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Sergio Rebelo receive his doctoral degree?
Sergio Rebelo earned his doctorate in economics from the University of Rochester in 1989, under the supervision of Robert King and Paul Romer.
What was Rebelo's role at the Kellogg School of Management?
He served as the Tokai Bank Distinguished Professor of International Finance and was the chair of the Finance Department from 2000 to 2002.
Did Sergio Rebelo work with international organizations?
Yes, between 1990 and 1992, he coordinated a major World Bank project investigating the impact of national economic policies on long-term growth rates.
Which professional societies has he been recognized by?
Sergio Rebelo was made a fellow of the Econometric Society in 2006.
What are his current research affiliations?
He is currently a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and a research fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.