International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde on Monday appointed Gita Gopinath as economic counsellor and director of its research department.

Gopinath will succeed Maurice (Maury) Obstfeld, who announced in July that he would retire at the end of 2018. She became the first woman to hold the prestigious role.

“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.”

Gopinath is co-editor of the American Economic Review and co-director of the International Finance and Macroeconomics Programme at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).

She is also the co-editor of the Handbook of International Economics with Former IMF Economic Counsellor Kenneth Rogoff.

A US citizen and an overseas citizen of India, Gopinath has done her PhD in Economics from Princeton University in 2001 after a BA from the University of Delhi and MA degrees from both the Delhi School of Economics and University of Washington.

Gopinath currently serves as the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University.

First Published:Oct 1, 2018 8:09 PM IST