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Marcos Lopez de Prado
Global Head - Quantitative R&D at ABU DHABI INVESTMENT AUTHORITY (ADIA), Professor of Practice at CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Marcos López de Prado is a distinguished hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, inventor, and dedicated academic known for his transformative contributions to the finance sector over the last 25 years. With a robust foundation in machine learning and statistical inference, Marcos has positioned himself at the forefront of modern finance, bringing innovation through implementation of groundbreaking methodologies and the Big Science model within some of the world’s largest investment firms. His profound expertise has been recognized globally, earning him numerous prestigious awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career.
In his current role, Marcos serves as the global head of quantitative research and development at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), which is one of the largest sovereign wealth funds globally. His responsibilities encompass steering quant research initiatives and fostering advancements in data and computational sciences, significantly impacting the financial landscape. He is also a founding board member of ADIA Lab, the research center aimed at promoting study and innovation in data science.
Before joining ADIA, Marcos demonstrated extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit by founding True Positive Technologies LP (TPT). This firm has successfully advised clients with a combined total of Assets Under Management (AUM) in excess of $1 trillion and has developed innovative technologies that have been commercialized through patents purchased by major asset management firms. Marcos has also held prominent positions at respected financial institutions, notably as a partner and the inaugural head of machine learning at AQR Capital Management. His leadership at Guggenheim Partners in the Quantitative Investment Strategies division saw the management of a significant portfolio worth $13 billion, achieving an impressive risk-adjusted return with an information ratio of 2.3.
In addition to his professional roles, since 2011, Marcos has been closely aligned with academic research as a fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy. An esteemed scholar, he has made substantial contributions to the field through the publication of nearly 100 scientific articles focused on financial machine learning and statistical inference in leading journals. He is also a founding co-editor of The Journal of Financial Data Science, which highlights his commitment to advancing the field through scholarly excellence. His textbooks, such as 'Advances in Financial Machine Learning' and 'Machine Learning for Asset Managers', are recognized for their significant impact in educating new generations of finance professionals.
Marcos's educational background is impressive. He earned two PhDs: one in financial econometrics from Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (U.N.E.D.) in 2003, and another in mathematical finance from Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 2011. Furthermore, he has participated in prestigious post-doctoral research fellowships that include opportunities at Harvard University and Cornell University. At Cornell, he also served as a Professor of Practice, lending his expertise in machine learning to the next generation of students.
Beyond his professional accolades and academic contributions, Marcos has received several prestigious awards acknowledging his innovation and influence in the finance and academic communities. Some of these accolades include the National Award for Academic Excellence from the Kingdom of Spain in 1999, the Quant Researcher of the Year Award from Portfolio Management Research in 2019, and the Buy-Side Quant of the Year Award from Risk.net in 2021. His most recent recognition, the Bernstein Fabozzi / Jacobs Levy Award from The Journal of Portfolio Management in 2024, is a testament to his ongoing impact in the field.
Marcos's recognition extends into influential discussions, including testifying before the U.S. Congress regarding AI policy, showcasing his role as a thought leader in the intersection of finance and technology. His noteworthy achievements and ongoing contributions stand as a pillar within the realm of financial research and quantitative analysis. Marcos López de Prado not only enhances investment strategies through innovative applications of machine learning but also shapes the landscape of finance through education and active participation in policy discussions. His reputation as a pioneer in quantitative finance is complemented by his commitment to innovation, research, and mentorship.
