Ismael Mourifié’s groundbreaking research explores the reasons female students avoid STEM careers.
Ismael Mourifié, professor of economics, has been elected to the Econometric Society, an international society for the advancement of economic theory in its relation to statistics and mathematics.
Mourifié, who joined WashU in 2023, is also a research associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research in the area of labor studies. His academic interests include micro-econometrics (especially causal inference), partial identification, treatment effects, policy evaluations, and empirical matching models. Mourifié applies these tools to explore phenomena in the education and labor markets, such as the underrepresentation of women in STEM, judicial leniency, and wage inequality.
Economics department chair George-Levi Gayle, the John H. Biggs Distinguished Professor in Economics, said Mourifié's election to the Econometric Society is a prestigious and rare achievement for someone this early in their career, with less than 5% of economists receiving the honor in their lifetime. “Membership is considered a career-long achievement, recognizing outstanding contributions to economic research and mathematical/statistical methods,” Gayle said. “It's a privilege and a joy for us to have him do it here at WashU.”
Mourifié is part of a growing movement to diversify the field of economics, Gayle said. WashU is leading the way with one of the most diverse departments in the country when it comes to Black faculty. But Gayle said an emphasis on diversity is not just about hiring but also what faculty decide to study. “Mourifié, like many of our faculty, does not just focus on traditional macroeconomic topics like interest rates, but studies a range of issues related to inequality, gender, and racial disparities.”
Mourifié said he’s humbled to become a member of the society alongside economists whose work he has long admired. For him, it's not just a testament to his own efforts, but also the guidance and support he’s received from his advisor, mentors, colleagues, and, most importantly, family.
“I look forward to continuing this journey of exploration, innovation, and mentorship with colleagues who inspire and challenge me to think in new ways,” he said.
