I am a native of California and received my PhD in economics from UC Berkeley.  I worked as an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, in the Asia Department of the IMF and in the Research Department of the US International Trade Commission.  I have published widely on resource-rich countries, the impact of trade policy on productivity and growth, nontariff barriers, and on trade in services. Since joining the World Bank, I have worked on West African and Middle Eastern countries, focusing on public expenditures, growth and governance.   I also worked on mutli-country projects in Africa and the regulation of multi-country infrastructure.  My greatest pleasure is working closely with our client countries.