My story
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I'm a Fellow at the World Economic Forum's Global Futures council on Agile Governance for the 2020-2022 term. I hold a Ph.D. from the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering (DoGEE) at The Johns Hopkins University. I use science and technology as catalyst for social change.
I grew up in the foothills of the Andean Mountains. Nature was my first laboratory and I learned the joy of adventure and discovery early in life. My love for figuring-things-out led to a diverse career in STEM, because a curious mind is an awful thing to waste. I learned early on that science is a tool for discovery and exploration. My work in Sustainability and Innovation began at The Earth Institute, Columbia University, where I worked with faculty who drafted the Millennium Development Goals' Tasks Force. I was inspired to find ways in which knowledge could be applied to solve some of humanity's complex challenges like poverty, food security, and education.
Today, I have over 15 years of experience working on Sustainability projects, and my work spans four continents in very diverse projects from rural communities in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, to the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. I'm a Faculty for the Future fellow alumni, which recognizes women for their leadership potential and academic excellence. My project on water sustainability earned me a fellowship in the Global Solutions Program (Google sponsored) at Singularity University.
I speak internationally about water conflict, emerging tech for sustainable development, and tackling global challenges.
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Born in Brazil, raised in Ecuador, trained in the USA, I feel at home just about anywhere. I love to discover new places that - along with their people, food, and culture - challenge my limited experience and world views.
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Amateur triathlete. Lifetime yoga student.
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The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
- Marcel Proust
Awards & recognitions
