Stefano Lugo

Dr. Stefano Lugo is an Associate Professor of Finance at Utrecht University's Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance, where he serves as Research Director of the Department of Economics and is the principal contact person with the CFA Institute. His academic career at Utrecht spans over a decade, having previously served as Assistant Professor (2012-2018) before his promotion to Associate Professor. Lugo has held significant administrative roles including Head of the Finance Section for a two-year term and coordinator of bachelor and master programs.

Lugo's educational background includes:

• PhD from Politecnico di Milano
• MSc from Politecnico di Milano
• CFA charterholder
• Member of the CFA Society of the Netherlands

Lugo maintains an active research profile with visiting positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford (Saïd Business School), University of Oklahoma (Price College of Business), and Stockholm School of Economics.

Dr. Lugo's research primarily focuses on Corporate Finance and Financial Intermediation, with particular expertise in Sovereign Wealth Funds, Credit Rating Agencies, and Debt Markets. His work bridges theoretical finance with practical applications in banking and investment markets. Lugo has developed a distinctive research trajectory examining how institutional investors, government policies, and market structures influence corporate financing decisions and financial stability.

His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to top-tier finance journals including the Review of Finance, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Financial Intermediation, and Journal of Corporate Finance. Lugo's recent work shows increasing focus on the intersection of monetary policy and corporate finance, particularly examining how central bank interventions affect corporate financing decisions. His research methodology combines rigorous empirical analysis with theoretical insights, often employing natural experiments and quasi-experimental designs.

Lugo's professional recognition includes:

• CFA charterholder designation
• Active membership in CFA Society of the Netherlands
• Principal contact with CFA Institute for Utrecht University

As an educator, Lugo has contributed significantly to finance education at Utrecht University, having coordinated multiple bachelor and master programs. His industry engagement through the CFA Institute ensures his teaching remains closely aligned with professional practice. Lugo's research activities are supported through collaborations with leading scholars across Europe and North America, with frequent co-authorship with researchers from institutions including Politecnico di Milano and other European universities.