Women in Research #LINOecon: Luisa María Rodríguez Fajardo

Luisa from Cuba is a PhD candidate in Business Administration (Finance Track) at Universidad de Chile.

Luisa’s research focuses on financial decision-making at the corporate level across firms.

Luisa participates in the 8^th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Economic Sciences.

Enjoy the interview with Luisa and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

When I was a child, I was always interested in how my parents managed the household finances. I used to role-play as if I were teaching those dynamics, even though at the time, I had no idea it was finance; to me, it was just another game. I also had a close connection to both academia and the financial world: my father is a teacher, and my mother worked in finance, so I grew up with both paths very present in my life.

Later, when it came time to choose my university studies, I decided to pursue a degree in Accounting and Finance, hoping it would offer me a wide range of opportunities. During my undergraduate years, I realized that what truly fascinated me was finance, particularly international finance, the stock market, and how countries’ economic decisions could affect businesses and people’s daily lives. This growing curiosity, combined with my interest in global economic dynamics, ultimately led me to pursue a research path in finance, one that allows me to explore those complex interactions and better understand how financial and economic decisions shape outcomes across borders.

Who are your role models?

My first and most enduring role models are my parents. Both personally and professionally, they have always been an example to follow. Their dedication, integrity, and commitment to their work and family have shaped my values and aspirations.

I am also deeply inspired by the legacy of great women throughout history. Even if they come from disciplines different from mine, their courage, perseverance, and contributions have paved the way for many of us, and their stories continue to motivate me to push boundaries and aim higher.

More recently, my thesis supervisor, Professor Alejandro Bernales, has played a key role in my academic journey. His guidance, intellectual rigor, and passion for research have had a strong impact on the way I approach my work and my own development as a researcher.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

I began my academic journey studying Accounting and Finance in Cuba, where I developed a solid foundation in Finance. However, I felt that many of the questions I had remained unanswered, and I realized that I was truly drawn to academia and research.

At that point, my husband (who shares my passion for science and has been a key source of support) encouraged me to consider pursuing a PhD. After a period of thorough research and reflection, I applied to the PhD in Business Administration at the University of Chile, with a focus on Finance, and I was accepted. At the same time, I was awarded the national PhD scholarship offered by the Chilean government through the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), which made this opportunity possible.

Winning this scholarship allowed me to move to Chile and begin my doctoral studies, an exciting but also deeply challenging step. It meant not only starting a demanding academic program, but also adapting to a new country, culture, and academic environment very different from my own. That experience taught me resilience, independence, and the value of building supportive networks. Since then, the PhD programme has allowed me to combine rigorous academic training with the development of my own research agenda. I have participated in doctoral colloquia and worked as a teaching assistant in undergraduate, master’s, and PhD-level courses in Finance and Econometrics.

Some of the challenges I’ve faced include balancing research with teaching responsibilities and navigating the steep learning curve of building empirical models with large datasets. However, the support I have received from my mentors – Professor Alejandro Bernales, Professor Paula Margaretic, and Professor Luis Pablo de la Horra – has been instrumental in overcoming these challenges and advancing in my academic career.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

The most exciting project I’ve worked on so far is my doctoral dissertation. My current research examines how monetary policy shocks in the home countries of multinational corporations affect the financial decisions of their subsidiaries abroad.

This topic excites me because it brings together macroeconomic policy, corporate finance, and the international transmission of shocks, three areas that I find particularly fascinating. I believe this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the global dimension of monetary policy, especially in a context where cross-border corporate networks play an increasingly important role. The relevance of this topic has grown significantly in the wake of the global financial crisis and the recent cycles of monetary tightening, which have shown how interconnected and exposed firms can be to foreign policy changes.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

One of the moments when I felt most proud of myself and my work was when I passed my PhD candidacy exam. By then, I had already completed all my coursework with excellent results, but it was during that milestone that I paused and looked back. I compared the person I was when I started the programme with the person I had become, more resilient, more knowledgeable, and more confident in my abilities as a researcher.

Achieving each academic goal, step by step, has been a source of pride for me. Being selected to participate in the 8^th Lindau Nobel Meeting in Economic Sciences is another moment I’m deeply proud of. Opportunities like these remind me how far I’ve come and motivate me to keep moving forward.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

My days are usually a blend of research and academic activities. I spend time refining econometric models, processing and cleaning data, reviewing recent literature, and meeting with my advisors to discuss progress and next steps. I try to organize my day in focused time blocks to maximize productivity, especially for writing and statistical analysis. I also make time to follow financial and economic news, which often inspires new research questions or perspectives.

Evenings are reserved for my family. After a full day of academic work, I truly value that time to disconnect, recharge, and share with my loved ones. That balance helps me stay grounded and motivated.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

My goal is to contribute to the field of finance through research that not only advances academic knowledge but also has practical relevance. I aspire for my work to be published in high-impact journals and to gain international recognition among scholars in the field.

I also hope to mentor future generations of researchers and help build stronger bridges between academia and society. Ultimately, I want my work to make a meaningful impact, both within the academic community and beyond.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

When I’m not doing research, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love traveling, discovering new places and cultures, and cooking, especially trying out new recipes. But I also enjoy watching series, just like anyone else. These moments help me relax, recharge, and maintain balance in my life.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

If you enjoy it, go for it! Never let negative or dismissive comments stop you from pursuing your path. It’s never easy, but it’s always worth it.

Stay curious and confident in your ideas, even when you face skepticism or moments of self-doubt. Don’t be afraid to enter a male-dominated field; your perspective matters. Build supportive networks, and don’t hesitate to seek out mentors and peers who share your commitment to high-quality research. And above all, remember: diversity of thought and experience makes our discipline stronger.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

In finance, the availability of data is growing rapidly every year, especially high-frequency data. I believe one of the next significant breakthroughs will involve the integration of high-frequency data with artificial intelligence techniques.

This combination has the potential to uncover new explanations for well-known financial phenomena and, more importantly, to explore questions that have remained out of reach due to data limitations. As we gain access to more granular and real-time information, we will be better equipped to understand complex market dynamics and make more informed decisions.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

First and foremost, we need to encourage more women to pursue doctoral studies. Expanding access and actively supporting women at the earliest stages of the academic pipeline is crucial to increasing representation in finance.

It is also essential to create more visible female role models, support mentorship programs, and promote institutional policies that recognize and address structural biases. Building inclusive academic cultures –where diverse voices are valued and heard – is key to retaining and empowering women in the field. These efforts must be sustained and intentional, so that equity becomes an integral part of how our discipline evolves.