The Department of Economics and Business at the UPF proudly announces the appointment of three distinguished scholars as Ramón y Cajal researchers. Fabian Gaessler, Dmitry Kuvshinov, and Alberto Santini have been recognised for their contributions to the field through their academic work and research agendas, further enhancing UPF's reputation as a hub for innovative economic investigation.

Prof. Gaessler is specialised in the economics of innovation and strategic management, with a particular emphasis on intellectual property rights, knowledge production, and technology strategy. Holding a PhD in Management from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, he has held various roles in the field including as Senior Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, and Interim Professor at the Technical University of Munich. His work has been recognised in prestigious journals and he has been honoured with multiple awards, highlighting his contributions to the understanding of patents, innovation processes, and the strategic management of technology.

With a strong background in macro-finance, asset pricing, and economic history, Prof. Kuvshinov obtained his PhD in Economics from the University of Bonn. His notable works include studies on stock market capitalisation over time and the impact of monetary policies on economic crises. His academic excellence is recognized with several grants and awards, such as the ECB Lamfalussy Fellowship and the ERC Starting Grant for his project SAFECRISES. Kuvshinov's career includes time at the Bank of England, where he focused on financial regulation and macroprudential policy. His teaching expertise spans financial economics and macro-finance at various prestigious institutions.

Prof. Santini's research interests lie in combinational optimisation, machine learning, and metaheuristics. Holding a PhD in Automatic Control and Operational Research from the University of Bologna, his work spans a broad spectrum of applications that aim to solve complex logistical challenges through innovative methodologies, and integrate machine learning with operational research to enhance efficiency in various sectors including transportation and agriculture. His publication record, participation in international conferences, and contributions to the academic community through various teaching and organisational roles underscore his commitment to the field of operational research and its practical applications.

The Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness awards the Ramón y Cajal grants with the goal of fostering the integration of both national and international researchers with exemplary careers into research institutions. These grants facilitate the hiring of exceptional post-doctoral researchers and contribute to the establishment of long-term employment opportunities. Recipients of these prestigious awards are selected based on their distinguished academic and research achievements and come from a diverse range of scientific disciplines. The selection of these professors as Ramón y Cajal researchers highlights the department's continuing dedication to pioneering research and academic excellence.