He attained a B.A. in Economy at the Technological Autonomous Institute of Mexico (1990), a Master’s degree in Public Administration (1992) and a Ph. D. in Political Science (1999) at Columbia University in New York (1999). He has been director of B. A. studies in Political Science and International Relations at the Center of Economic Research and Teaching in Mexico City (CIDE). His areas of research include transparency, accountability and anti-corruption, political parties and the Mexican Congress. He is the author of several books, including Surveying the Executive Branch: the Role of Congress to Control Public Spending (published in Spanish) and The Mexican Congress: Old Player, New Power. In addition to his academic career, Luis Carlos Ugalde has served the Mexican government as head adviser to the Secretary of Energy (1997) and to the Mexican Ambassador in Washington (1997-2000). He became president councilor of the Federal Electoral Institute on November 3, 2003.