I am a development economist from Latin America (Argentina). My research is focused on the field of developmental macroeconomics, natural resources, trade and structural change, focusing primarily on quantitative approaches. I am interested in the interaction between macroeconomic variables and structural change, the role of the real exchange rate on trade, green growth opportunities for developing countries, strategies for development based on natural resources and the resource curse agenda.
My research agenda for the coming years integrates two interconnected themes that address key challenges faced by resource-rich developing countries and the developed countries trying to secure the access to the critical minerals. The first focuses on the surging demand for critical minerals driven by the global energy transition, examining its implications for local populations and how conflict and negotiation influence the technologies employed in resource extraction. Building on insights from one of my recent papers, “Civic Power in Mining Conflicts: barrier or catalyst for a just transition?” and the original database built for that project, I will leverage the growing availability of big data to systematically map global patterns of conflict and cooperation around mining activities. This approach will deepen our understanding of how governance frameworks, institutions and macro policies can foster sustainable and equitable outcomes amidst the complexities of natural resource exploitations.
The second theme explores how macroeconomic shocks, such as commodity price volatility, interact with micro-level dynamics to influence structural transformation in resource-rich economies. Unlike traditional analyses, which often separate these spheres, I aim to bridge the gap by examining how fluctuations in, for example, global commodity markets create heterogeneous impacts across sectors and regions. These shocks can amplify or undermine local efforts to develop new industries, shape labor markets, and affect the adoption of technologies for resource extraction. By connecting macroeconomic phenomena to local interactions, this agenda highlights often-overlooked pathways through which resource dependence, the energy transition and structural change are intertwined and the challenges that resource rich countries will face.
I have extensive teaching experience in macroeconomics, trade and development economics. My PhD thesis was awarded the best thesis of the year in Economics at the University of Buenos Aires and the Prebisch award by the Central Bank of Argentina.
Selected media coverage in Spanish:
- In Data: Mining disputes rising amid rush for critical minerals (Context news)
- Tiempos de estabilización ¿tiempos de valientes? In this newspaper article in Spanish, Gabriel discusses potential plans to reduce inflation and stabilise the macroeconomy in Argentina.
- Hablemos de inflación y estabilización In this short essay, Gabriel unpacks the theory of inflation and macroeconomic stabilization.
- Un mapa realista y ambicisoso para el crecimiento verde en Argentina. In this short article, Gabriel summarises his research paper about green growth opportunities in Argentina.
Academic Publications:
- Marin, A., & Palazzo, G. (2025). Civic power in mining conflicts: Barrier or catalyst for a just energy transition? Environmental Research Letters.
- Palazzo, G. (2024). Real exchange rate and import substitution episodes: Evidence from a developing economy. World Development, 184, 106752.
- From macro to micro and macro back: macroeconomic trade elasticities in a developing economy. With Martín Rapetti, 2023. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 65, 223-252.
- Real exchange rate and export surge episodes: What sectors take advantage of the real exchange rate stimulus? R&R with minor comments in the Journal of Structural Change and Economic Dynamics.
- El potencial exportador verde de la Argentina: un análisis del espacio producto verde. With M. Feole, M. Gutman, S. Bercovich. Forthcoming in the Journal Desarrollo Económico. In Spanish.
- Mapping social conflicts in natural resources: a text-mining study of extractive activities. With Ramiro Albrieu, 2020. CEPAL review no. 131 p. 29-59
- Inflation Targeting, Disinflation and Debt Traps in Argentina– with Emiliano Libman, 2019; European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, 17(1), 78-105
- Medio siglo entre tormentas. Fluctuaciones, crisis y políticas macroeconómicas en la Argentina (1948-2002). Book chapter with Emiliano Libman and Milagro Rodriguez.
