Beginning Aug. 1, Professor of Economics Matías Fontenla will serve as chair of The University of New Mexico's Department of Economics. Matias Fontenla"I am humbled that my colleagues wanted me to serve as chair," Fontenla said. Fontenla's research focuses on development economics, return migration and financial intermediation, with a regional emphasis on Latin America. He has published extensively in leading academic journals, including The Review of Economics and Statistics, World Development, Economics Letters and Macroeconomic Dynamics. As he prepares to lead the department, Fontenla said his priorities include supporting faculty success and strengthening the student experience.