Professor Gustavo Leal Fernández was born in Mexico City, he has a doctorate in economics from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). He made postdoctoral stays at the University of Innsbruck, Austria (1989-1991) and in the cabinet of the Minister of Health and Consumption, Madrid, Spain (1991-1993). He has also been a visiting professor at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina ( 1989).

He has worked as a specialist in public health and social security policy since 1979. His lines of investigation as of June 2020 are pension systems in Mexico and the world; Health systems in Mexico and the world, and various topics of social policies, especially social security, linked to housing, direct and indirect social benefits.

He has books and articles in specialized journals and has experience as a lecturer, panelist, moderator, and at the arbitration of items of the subject.
He has been advisor for NGO's and different governments. He is a member of several editorial committees, columnist in the national press, commentator on the radio, TV and regular collaborator of electronic portals.

He is currently a professor at the UAM Xochimilco Campus, Department of Health Service. Area Health and Society.