Dr. Gustavo Leal Fernández holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM, 1983). He completed postdoctoral research stays at the University of Innsbruck (Austria) and the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs in Madrid (Spain), and served as a Visiting Professor at Duke University (USA). Since 1979, he has established himself as a leading specialist in public health policy, social security systems, and pension reforms, advising non-governmental organizations and government entities while serving as a regular columnist and commentator in national and international media.

He serves as a Full-Time Professor (Level C) in the Health and Society Research Area within the Department of Health Care of the Division of Biological and Health Sciences at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco.

His research focuses on the critical evaluation of health, social security, pension, and housing policies in Mexico. His recent publications include the book The 2020 “Reform”: The Pension Challenge in Mexico (ECOSUR, 2025), along with studies on universal healthcare coverage and structural drivers of public health published in international outlets such as Global Public Health and Fair Observer.