Dr Valentina Diana Rusu | Finance – Senior Researcher at Institute of Interdisciplinary Research in Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania
Dr. Valentina Diana Rusu is an accomplished Romanian economist and Senior Scientific Researcher (CS I) at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași. With over 15 years of academic and research experience, she has built a distinguished career that bridges economic theory, public policy, and entrepreneurial finance. Dr. Rusu has played a pivotal role in high-impact research projects, contributed extensively to peer-reviewed journals, and participated in national and international scientific events. Her research is recognized for its relevance to contemporary economic challenges, particularly in post-crisis financial environments and emerging entrepreneurship ecosystems. Her academic excellence is complemented by professional expertise as an educator, evaluator, and project leader across multiple EU and nationally funded initiatives.
Academic Profile
Education
Dr. Rusu earned her PhD in Economics (2008–2011) from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, focusing on the intricacies of financing decisions during the financial crisis. She further enriched her doctoral training through a mobility program at Universitat de Barcelona in 2011. Her solid academic foundation includes a Master’s degree in Banking and Financial Management (2007–2008) and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking (2003–2007), both from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. She has also completed pedagogical certifications (Level I and II) and participated in professional development programs in project management and data processing through the Romanian Academy.
Experience
Over her career, Dr. Rusu has held progressive research and teaching roles. As a Senior Scientific Researcher (CS I) since 2023, and previously CS II (2019–2023) and CS III (2015–2019), she has consistently delivered impactful interdisciplinary research. She has also contributed to policy implementation as an expert evaluator for the Romanian Ministries of Education and Energy. Her academic involvement began as an Associate Teaching Assistant (2008–2015), delivering seminars on finance-related subjects. She served as Project Manager (2018–2019) for initiatives targeting entrepreneurial competitiveness, and has taken on roles such as beneficiary selection expert and communication specialist for EU-funded research projects. Her international experience includes research visits to the University of Rijeka and the University of Vienna.
Research Interests
Dr. Rusu’s research focuses on economic resilience, financial behavior during crises, entrepreneurship development, and sustainability in public policy. She has made significant contributions to understanding firm-level financing decisions, the socio-economic impact of financial shocks, and the effectiveness of entrepreneurship as a tool for economic revitalization. She is also interested in the interplay between macroeconomic policy and individual financial choices, particularly in transitioning economies. Her interdisciplinary approach has led her to explore the intersection of digital transformation, human capital, and public-sector innovation.
Awards
Dr. Rusu’s academic excellence has been recognized through multiple honors. She has received six research awards from UEFISCDI (Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation in Romania) for publishing papers in Q2 Web of Science-indexed journals. Additionally, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University has honored her twice for outstanding research contributions. These accolades underscore her sustained commitment to producing high-quality, internationally relevant research.
Publications 📚🧠
📈 The nexus between entrepreneurship and economic growth: A comparative analysis on groups of countries. O. Stoica, A. Roman, V.D. Rusu
Sustainability, 2020
Cited by: 368
🚀 Entrepreneurial activity in the EU: An empirical evaluation of its determinants. V.D. Rusu, A. Roman
Sustainability, 2017
Cited by: 133
🌍 An empirical analysis of factors affecting competitiveness of CEE countries. V.D. Rusu, A. Roman
Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 2018
Cited by: 122
💹 Financial performance – determinants and interdependencies between measurement indicators. M.B. Tudose, V.D. Rusu, S. Avasilcai
Business, Management and Economics Engineering, 2022
Cited by: 83
💻 Digital Technologies and the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises. A. Roman, V.D. Rusu
Studies in Business and Economics, 2022
Cited by: 44
🧠 Determinants of entrepreneurial intentions of youth: the role of access to finance. V.D. Rusu, A. Roman, M.B. Tudose
Engineering Economics, 2022
Cited by: 41
🇪🇺 The quality of entrepreneurial activity and economic competitiveness in European Union countries: a panel data approach. V.D. Rusu, A. Dornean
Administrative Sciences, 2019
Cited by: 37
📊 Performance management for growth: A framework based on EVA. M.B. Tudose, V.D. Rusu, S. Avasilcai
Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 2021
Cited by: 28
💰 Public debt and economic growth in EU countries. M. Onofrei, I. Bostan, B.N. Firtescu, A. Roman, V.D. Rusu
Economies, 2022
Cited by: 24
🏦 The Access of Small and Medium Size Enterprises to Banking Financing and Current Challenges: The Case of EU Countries. A. Roman, V.D. Rusu
Annales Universitatis Apulensis: Series Oeconomica, 2012
Cited by: 21
Conclusion
Dr. Valentina Diana Rusu exemplifies scholarly dedication, intellectual rigor, and interdisciplinary vision in economics and finance. Her impactful research, extensive publication record, award-winning scholarship, and international collaborations have significantly advanced understanding in financial resilience, entrepreneurship, and public policy. Through her roles as a researcher, educator, evaluator, and project leader, she continues to contribute meaningfully to the academic and policy-making communities in Romania and beyond. Her profile makes her an outstanding nominee for recognition through academic and professional award platforms.