Prof. Dr. Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo | Economics| Best Researcher Award
Professor Auxiliar, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade de Coimbra Portugal
Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo is a researcher at the Centre for Business and Economics Research (CeBER) and an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra. He holds a PhD in Economics from the same institution, specializing in industrial dynamics, technological progress, and income inequality. His research focuses on creative destruction, innovation, and labor market impacts, contributing through high-impact journal publications, international conferences, and externally funded projects. Previously, he served as Ecuador’s National Undersecretary of Knowledge Strengthening, shaping science and education policies. Nieto-Carrillo has also worked on peer-reviewed journal evaluations and supervised research at various academic levels. His multilingual proficiency in Spanish, English, and Portuguese aids his global research collaborations. He is currently leading projects on democracy building and firm dynamics, with an emphasis on economic recovery and policy implications. His work integrates rigorous economic analysis with real-world policymaking for societal impact.
Profile
Education 
Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Coimbra in 2023 with Summa Cum Laude distinction. His dissertation analyzed the instability of creative destruction in Portugal’s industrial dynamics and productivity growth over four decades. Before that, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Ecuador, in 2010, graduating with a high distinction (86/100). His academic journey reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation, integrating economics, technological innovation, and industrial transformation. Nieto-Carrillo’s education has provided him with expertise in understanding economic systems, firm-level technological change, and income inequality. Throughout his studies, he engaged in research projects, peer-reviewed publications, and international collaborations. His academic excellence has been complemented by practical insights from governmental roles, bridging research and policymaking. His current research continues to explore innovation waves, firm dynamics, and labor market implications in evolving economic structures.
Experience 
Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, and a researcher at CeBER. Since 2019, he has conducted research on industrial dynamics, innovation, and income inequality. Previously, he held high-ranking government positions in Ecuador, including National Undersecretary of Knowledge Strengthening (2014-2017), where he played a key role in shaping higher education and research policies. He also served as Regional Undersecretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (2013-2014) and Ministerial Advisor (2011-2013). His experience includes research fellowships at FLACSO Ecuador and leading projects on firm dynamics and economic recovery. Nieto-Carrillo has supervised graduate students and contributed to top economic journals. His background uniquely integrates academic research with practical policy applications, positioning him as a thought leader in economic development, technological change, and industrial competitiveness. He continues to work on high-impact projects at the intersection of economics and public policy.
Awards & Honors
Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo has received numerous distinctions, including a Summa Cum Laude for his PhD in Economics at the University of Coimbra in 2023. His research contributions have been recognized through funding from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), supporting projects on economic recovery, firm dynamics, and democracy building. During his tenure as National Undersecretary in Ecuador, he played a pivotal role in policy reforms for science and education, earning accolades for his contributions to knowledge strengthening. He has been invited to prestigious international conferences and recognized as a key contributor to industrial economics and technological progress. Nieto-Carrillo has also been awarded research fellowships at leading institutions, reflecting his academic excellence and policy influence. His work continues to receive recognition for bridging economic theory with practical policy applications, emphasizing innovation, firm competitiveness, and income distribution in evolving economies.
Research Interests 
Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo’s research explores creative destruction, innovation, and industrial dynamics, emphasizing their impact on labor markets and income inequality. His work integrates long-term innovation waves, firm-level technological adoption, competitive selection, and industrial transformation. He investigates how economic shocks and policies influence technological progress and firm dynamics, particularly in Portugal and Latin America. Nieto-Carrillo has contributed to projects on economic recovery, financial constraints, and employment dynamics, offering insights into post-recession firm behavior. His research extends to democracy building, production systems, and public policy, analyzing their economic implications. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economic history, industrial organization, and labor economics, providing empirical evidence for policy recommendations. By combining academic research with governmental experience, he offers practical insights into fostering sustainable economic growth, reducing inequality, and enhancing industrial resilience. His findings contribute to shaping policies that promote inclusive innovation and economic stability.
Publications 
- Recovery and exit of zombie firms in Portugal (2022) – C. Carreira, P. Teixeira, E. Nieto-Carrillo – 63 citations
- Giving zombie firms a second chance: An assessment of the reform of the Portuguese insolvency framework (2022) – E. Nieto-Carrillo, C. Carreira, P. Teixeira – 19 citations
- Industrial dynamics in the ICT technological paradigm: the case of Portugal, 1986–2018 (2024) – E. Nieto-Carrillo, C. Carreira, P. Teixeira – 4 citations
- Financial Constraints and Business Dynamics: Lessons from the 2008-2013 Recession (2021) – C. Carreira, P. Teixeira, E. Nieto-Carrillo, J. Eira – 4 citations
- Education, Labor, and Inequality in Ecuador, 2006–2016: Building Social Convergence (2021) – E. Nieto-Carrillo – 3 citations
- Rentas no schumpeterianas y desigualdad: fundamentos teóricos de la competencia y la innovación (2020) – E. Nieto-Carrillo – 1 citation
- From Manufacturing Decline to the Rise of Consultancy: A Framework for Time-Consistent Industry Analysis in Portugal (1986-2018) (2024) – E. Nieto-Carrillo
- The (in) stability of Creative Destruction: Industrial Dynamics and Productivity Growth in Portugal over the Last Four Decades (2023) – J.E.N. Carrillo
- Industrial dynamics throughout the ICT innovation cycle: The rise and decline of business dynamism in Portugal during 1986-2018 (2023) – E. Nieto-Carrillo, C. Carreira, P. Teixeira
- The Paradox of Schumpeterian Competition: ICT Revolution and Competitive Regime in Portugal (1990-2018) (2023) – E. Nieto-Carrillo, C. Carreira, P. Teixeira
- Recovery and exit of zombie firms in Portugal: A remake (2023) – C. Carreira, P. Teixeira, E. Nieto-Carrillo
Conclusion
Dr. Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo is an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his contributions to economics, policy-making experience, and academic achievements. His research on industrial dynamics and income inequality is not only theoretically significant but also socially impactful. With continued efforts to broaden his academic influence and collaborations, he is well-positioned to make even greater contributions to his field.
Current Position:
Agricultural Economics
Environmental Economics
Development Economics