About Me

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I am a passionate and self-driven Colombian Fulbrighter with a Ph.D. in Economics from Washington State University, bringing over two decades of expertise in the education sector. My career is dedicated to designing, implementing, and evaluating impactful education policies and programs, with a focus on fostering equitable and inclusive educational systems. As a former Provost at Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar in Cartagena, Colombia, I honed my skills as an effective and empathetic leader, guiding teams to achieve institutional goals while prioritizing the needs of diverse student populations.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, I leverage my advanced econometric and statistical skills to develop data-driven strategies that enhance educational outcomes. My current work at the UMass Bilingual Hub focuses on critically evaluating K-12 educational policies to promote inclusive practices that meet the needs of diverse learners. As a collaborative team player, I thrive in dynamic environments, fostering innovation and driving meaningful change through shared vision and strategic leadership.

I proudly serve as a member of the Board of Trustees at Fundación ALUNA, a Colombian organization dedicated to supporting over 1,400 individuals with intellectual disabilities through interdisciplinary, holistic care. This role reflects my commitment to advancing equitable and transformative educational initiatives. Motivated by a deep passion for education.

EDUCATION: 

                2012 Spring Commencement (Watch 3pm Archive Stream)

                Scholarship Fulbright Colombia, "Beca de Postgrado para las Regiones". 

                My LASPAU advisor: Lisa Mallozzi Tapiero.

M.S., Economics, 2005, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.

            Master Paper: The Location Choices in the Colombian Manufacturing Industry, 1980-1999. 

            Academic Advisor: Marcela Meléndez (email: marcela.melendez@econestudio.com)

            Scholarship Inter-American Development Bank – Inter-Institutional agreement

            BID/CAF/UNIANDES for the Master in Economics (PEG) Universidad de Los Andes. 

B.S., Economics, March 2001, Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, Cartagena, Colombia.

            Outstanding Graduate Award and Valedictorian, Commencement Ceremony, 2001. 

            Universidad Tecnológica De Bolívar.

AWARDS AND HONORS:

• Fulbright Ambassador, 2017-2018. Fulbright Colombia.  

• National Counsel for SMSE, 2016-2017. Ministry of Commerce in representation of ASCUN.

• Titular Professor, since August 26th, 2016. Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar.

• ALUNA, Board of Directors, since April 2016.

• William Applebaum Memorial Award for outstanding Ph.D. dissertation awarded by the Food Distribution Research Society, 2012. Download the slides here.

• Fulbright Scholar, 2008-2011—Colombian Regional Graduate Program Scholarship awarded in 2008, Fulbright Colombia. 

• Fulbright Summer Research Grant, April 16, 2010.

• Meritorious Teaching Award, 2005. Universidad Tecnológica De Bolívar, Cartagena, Colombia.

• Scholarship for a Master's degree program in economics, 2001. Universidad De Los Andes-IADB-CAF. Bogotá.

• Exchange program, Colombian Vice President’s Scholarship at West Indies University in Barbados, 2001. 

• Outstanding Graduate Award, Salutatorian, Commencement Ceremony, 2001. Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar.

• Young Research Talent, 1997, selected from among all the undergraduate students in Colombia by Colciencias, a government institution dedicated to promoting scientific and technological growth in Colombia.

FIELDS OF INTEREST: 

• Primary: Education, Applied Industrial Organization (Empirical Models of Product Differentiation and Market Equilibrium) and Game Theory

• Secondary:  Applied Econometrics, Development.

Applications: Education (Higher Education), consumption - consumer behavior and transportation.

INSTITUTIONS I HAVE WORK WITH:

• ECON ESTUDIO, Bogotá, Colombia.

• Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, Cartagena, Colombia. 

• Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 

• Inter-American Development Bank, Washington DC.

• Cotecmar, Cartagena, Colombia. (Project Info in Spanish)

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (Project Info in Spanish)

• CEDE - Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.

• Observatorio del Caribe Colombiano, Cartagena, Colombia.  

• Score, Business Advice Counselor, Spokane Chapter.

• ALUNA.