Virginia Lasio: “A PhD prepares us not only for academia but also for life”
“A Doctoral Programme helps us to recognise how little we truly know, while equipping us with the skills and competences to continue discovering more,” states Dr María Virginia Lasio Morello, independent professional and former Professor at ESPAE Graduate School of Management, ESPOL, Ecuador.
Dr Lasio joined ESPAE in 1994, almost by coincidence. That same year, she had resigned from her last position in Ecuador’s manufacturing industry, where she resides. Soon afterwards, she was invited to the business school for a short-term assignment during May, to work a few hours a day assisting the then Dean in designing a programme related to operations management. What she never imagined was that this temporary engagement would become a 29-year professional journey.
“I did not seek to enter academia; things simply unfolded that way, and time went by. I remember that in every job I had, by the third year I would already feel restless, as though I were suffocating due to the lack of new challenges. At ESPAE, however, there was always something new — opportunities, challenges, and obstacles to overcome. For me, it was truly a privilege to work at ESPAE,” she recalls.
The Doctoral Programme
Just as her arrival at ESPAE had been unplanned, her decision to pursue a doctoral degree followed a similar course — as if the universe had conspired to make her an academic and researcher of distinction.
“I was not actively seeking to undertake a PhD; I thought the time to devote so many years to study had already passed. But when John Trapani, then Associate Dean at the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, asked me whether I would consider a PhD, I replied yes, almost out of politeness, and then forgot about it. A few weeks later, the Dean of ESPAE handed me an envelope with the application materials for the programme — and that is how it all began,” recounts Dr Lasio.
Impact on her personal life
For Dr Lasio, pursuing a PhD was one of the most significant and fulfilling decisions of her life. Having built a solid career in the business sector, returning to academia brought her profound satisfaction and memorable experiences.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life. I truly enjoyed that stage, and although those years were turbulent for my personal and family life, I have never regretted that decision. I remember that as the programme advanced, while some classmates were counting down the days to finish, I wished it would last longer,” she reflects.
Professional growth
According to Dr Lasio, the doctoral programme provided her with the necessary tools and strengthened her leadership capabilities, particularly during her tenure as Dean of ESPAE.
“During my doctoral studies, I assumed the role of Dean of the business school. We launched several projects for which, under different circumstances, I might not have been adequately prepared. The PhD enabled me to understand first-hand the significance of research and academic publications within an institution. Above all, it enhanced my curiosity, nurtured my creativity, and improved my ability to identify opportunities and develop new initiatives,” she explains.
The value of doctoral education
“Undoubtedly, studying for a PhD first teaches us to acknowledge how little we know. It prepares and equips us with the competences to continue learning and discovering more. I cannot speak for everyone, but in my case, it has enabled me to observe situations from multiple perspectives, to identify problems, to devise alternative solutions, to interact with other professionals, and to realise that no one possesses the absolute truth. Ultimately, it instils humility by reminding us that we do not know everything. In this sense, a PhD prepares us not only for academia, but also for other industries — and for life itself,” affirms Dr Lasio.
About Virginia Lasio
Dr Virginia Lasio served as Professor of Organisational Behaviour at ESPAE Graduate School of Management, ESPOL, Ecuador. She was Dean of ESPAE from 2002 to 2018. Between 2003 and 2009, she directed ESPOL’s Entrepreneur Development Programme in collaboration with the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), establishing the ESPOL Entrepreneurship Centre (now I3Lab). From 2004 to 2021, she led the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) project for Ecuador.
She also served as Country Co-Investigator (CCI) for the Global Leadership and Organisational Behaviour Effectiveness (GLOBE 2020) Project and was a member of Ecuador’s team in the Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practices (STEP) Consortium.
Dr Lasio has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact Network Ecuador, the Ecuador Chapter of WBCSD–CEMDES, and the AACSB International Latin American & Caribbean Advisory Council. She also served on the AMBA & BGA Latin America Advisory Council and the Executive Committee of the Business Association for Latin American Studies (BALAS).
She holds a PhD from Tulane University, an MBA from ESPAE, and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from ESPOL.
Dr Lasio is a member of the Academy of Management (AOM) and the American Psychological Association (APA). She currently works as an independent professional.
Among her personal interests, she enjoys reading mystery and detective novels and is passionate about both gastronomy and gardening.
