He is an economist (PhD. and MPhil from the U. of Cambridge) specialized in development, inequality, social mobility, education and innovation. For 20 years, he has focused on the comparative study, design and development of public policies and institutional changes, from academia, government and various international organizations.

He is Director and Co-founder of SUMMA, the Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (created by the IDB in 2016), from where he advises and works collaboratively with the authorities of the ministries of education of 21 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting research and educational policies that promote greater social justice. Between 2014 and 2022 he was affiliated with the University of Cambridge, as a professor of political economy and development.

He is part of the advisory group of the OECD's Schools+ network, he has been a senior advisor to various organizations, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), UNESCO, the World Bank, UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), Oxford Policy Management (OPM) and ASEAN.