João R. Leripio
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João Renato Leripio

Statistical Modeling, Forecasting & Data Science

Brazil

joao@rleripio.com

leripiorenato

leripio

rleripio.com

Profile

Senior data science and modeling professional specializing in forecasting, time series analysis, and alternative and unstructured data. Combines hands-on statistical modeling and technical leadership with the development of reliable analytical pipelines and data products for economic and financial research. Author of R for Economic Research.

Areas of Expertise

Data: Time series · Alternative, Unstructured, and High-Frequency Data

Modeling: Econometrics · Machine Learning · State-Space Models · Bayesian Inference

Delivery: APIs · Data Apps · Automated Reports

Workflows: Data Pipelines · LLM Integration

Tech stack: R · Python · Shiny · Quarto · DuckDB · PostgreSQL · dbt · Git · Docker · Shell/CLI

Professional Experience

Kapitalo Investimentos

Data Science & Economic Modeling Lead

São Paulo, Brazil · 2022–Present

  • Lead the Data Science and Modeling team within Macroeconomic Research, providing technical direction and overseeing the development of quantitative models and analytical products.
  • Develop forecasting and nowcasting models for inflation and economic activity using alternative, high-frequency, and unstructured data.
  • Design and implement models to estimate latent economic variables, including potential output and the NAIRU, at scale across dozens of countries.
  • Build end-to-end analytical workflows that operationalize models and research, integrating LLM-assisted tools into the pipeline to process information, support analysis, and generate analytical outputs.

Itaú Asset Management

Quantitative Research Analyst

São Paulo, Brazil · 2019–2022

  • Developed economic activity and inflation indicators using alternative and unstructured data, expanding the information available for macroeconomic analysis.
  • Designed and implemented forecasting models for COVID-19 cases and vaccination coverage, developing modeling approaches for rapidly evolving processes with limited historical data.
  • Developed forecasting models for revenues of publicly listed companies, combining economic and company-level data to support investment research.
  • Built machine learning models using credit-market data to predict corporate bond prices.

IPEDF

Economic Research Analyst

Brasília, Brazil · 2017–2019

  • Conducted applied economic research and monitored regional economic activity using official and administrative data.
  • Developed statistical indicators and analytical tools to measure economic conditions and support public-policy discussions.
  • Produced reports and presented quantitative findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Education

M.S. in Economics, Universidade Federal Fluminense · 2017
B.S. in Economics, Universidade Federal Fluminense · 2013

Publication

Author of R for Economic Research, a practical guide to data workflows, statistical modeling, time series, and forecasting for applied research. The book has received more than 55,000 views from readers in over 50 countries.

Selected Presentations

  • Nowcasting When Predictors Keep Changing: Leveraging Cross-Sectional Information in High-Dimensional, High-Turnover Data — International Symposium on Forecasting · Montreal · 2026

  • Nowcasting Inflation in Brazil Using Web Data — International Symposium on Forecasting · Charlottesville · 2023

  • Real-Time Forecasting of COVID-19 Cases Across US Regions — International Symposium on Forecasting · Remote · 2020

 

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