Faculty

Laura Nuñez is an expert in applying artificial intelligence techniques to finance. She has spent more than a decade in this field studying how to convert neuronal or genetic processes that generate intelligence in human beings into mathematical functions to create computer networks that imitate the brain or algorithms to simulate the genetic evolution of live beings. She uses these new methodologies to design intelligent trading systems for the Stock Markets, and models for the prediction of corporate failure.

Her field of research has multiple applications. In her own words, “Artificial intelligence techniques are used to predict electrical demand, to optimize distribution channels, etc.”. Her specific specialization lies in the measurement of credit and market risk following the new Basilea demands and  the management of financial assets portfolios.

Professor Nuñez received an award from the Caja Madrid Foundation for her doctoral thesis on the application of genetic algorithms to the design of stock exchange trading systems. Before she came to Instituto de Empresa, in 2001, she spent five years as project coordinator and secretary general of the research center Servilab at Universidad de Alcalá. Previously she had worked for six years as an analyst, broker and portfolio manager at Bestinver SVB, at GVC SVB and at the Norwich Union Group.

She has been an evaluator for McGraw Hill, for the Case Research Journal and for Financial Management Association, and she has had numerous articles published in specialized journals like the European Journal of Operational Research or Managerial Finance. She has also worked as a researcher in projects financed by the European Union, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Madrid Regional Authorities.

Academic Background

• PhD in Finance, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
• BSc in Economics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

Professional Background

• Director of the Instituto de Empresa Research Office (2001 –present)
• Head of Equity Trading, GVC SVB (1995-1996)
• Portfolio Manager, Plus Ultra (Norwich Union Group Spain) (1993-1995)
• Financial Analyst, BESTINVER Sociedad de Valores y Bolsa, S.A. (1991 – 1993)

Teaching and Research Experience

• Professor of Finance, Instituto de Empresa (2001- present)
• Coordinator of Research Projects in Servilab, Research Centre for Madrid’s Chamber of Commerce and Universidad de Alcalá (1996-2001)