Diana Grass is a PhD student in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. She was born and raised in Colombia. Diana is an alumna of the National University of Colombia and Rutgers University in the USA. Her current research revolves around the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, neuroimaging, and neurotechnology. She serves as the co-founder and co-president of the Graduate First-generation Low-Income student group at MIT (GFLI@MIT) and as the president of the Harvard Colombian Student Society (HCSS). She is passionate about empowering and advocating for global health, equity in education, and leveraging innovation to catalyze social and economic development in resource-limited areas.

Fellowships & Awards

Aristizábalwas born in one of the most impoverished areas in Cali, Colombia. Aristizábal was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after he was born. Now he runs a nonprofit to provide educational and medical support for kids who live in the same conditions that he grew up in. Aristizábal was awarded CNN’s Hero of the Year award in 2016 for his non-profit ASODISVALLE (Association of Disabled People of the Valley). Aristizábal’s organization provides free schooling, medical care, physical/occupational therapy, food, career preparation, and more to children and families who are navigating disabilities in Colombia.

Dr. Pedrozo Peñafiel is a Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms (CUA). His scientific journey started at Universidad del Atlantico in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he earned his bachelor's degree in physics. From 2009 to 2016, his pursuit to understand fundamental processes in nature led him to the coldest matter known, the enigmatic Bose-Einstein condensate – a mind-boggling fifth state of matter that only exists at temperatures close to absolute zero.

In 2016, a new chapter unfolded as Edwin transitioned to MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He embarked on a joint postdoctoral venture across the Physics department, the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE-MIT), and the MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms (CUA). Here, he unveiled a pioneering feat – the creation of an optical atomic clock propelled by quantum entanglement. This breakthrough paved the way for a nascent realm of quantum-enhanced sensors, challenging the very fabric of conventional measurement. By 2020, Dr. Pedrozo Peñafiel's was appointed as a Research Scientist at MIT.

Edwin's passions extend to the popularization of science, particularly among the youth and underrepresented groups. His commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the domains of science and education is an intrinsic part of his journey.

Dr. Pedrozo Peñafiel's narrative weaves a tale of relentless curiosity, groundbreaking exploration, and an unwavering commitment to making science a force that transcends boundaries.

Maria Helena Benitez is a co-founder and managing director of the Foundation Hogar Estudiantil Jaime Benitez Tobon. The Hogar Estudiantil program offers a safe and supportive home to young undergraduate students with exceptional academic abilities but limited financial means to cover their boarding expenses during their studies in Bogotá, Colombia. This program has provided more than 500 students with optimal conditions for academic development, as well as spaces for empowerment and personal growth, enabling them to become successful professionals with significant social impact. Several young students who benefited from the Hogar Estudiantil foundation have become researchers, professors, and leaders at some of the leading universities, laboratories, and other institutions worldwide.

Maria Helena studied IT management with an emphasis on business administration and executive development. Shortly after obtaining her degree, she began participating in multiple training sessions, forums, and congresses on corporate social responsibility. This solidified her interest in philanthropy, which she had naturally inherited from her father. In 1993, she was appointed as the managing director of Hogar Estudiantil, a role she has fulfilled simultaneously while maintaining a successful career as the Manager of Construcciones Arrecife. She has also served as the legal representative and board member of several family-owned businesses.

Maier is a scientific entrepreneur based in Boston. After completing his PhD at Harvard, he worked as a Senior Associate at Flagship Pioneering, which is well known for founding Moderna, among other scientific ventures in Boston. At Flagship, he co-founded Invaio Sciences and currently serves as the company's Director of Research. Beyond being an accomplished scientific entrepreneur, Maier is also a notable social entrepreneur. In 2015, he co-founded the Science Clubs of Colombia (clubes de ciencia Colombia) program with several Colombian scientists in Boston. Maier completed his undergraduate studies in Microbiology and obtained his master's degree from the University of Los Andes.

Eduardo Sáenz-de-Cabezón is a Spanish mathematician and a leading science communicator. He is professor of computer languages and systems at the University of La Rioja and a researcher on computer algebra. He is a recognized specialist in scientific monologues. Sáenz-de-Cabezón is also known for disseminating mathematics through conferences, shows and talks for people of all ages around the world. He was the winner of competition for scientific monologues at Famelab Spain (2013) also becoming a finalist at the Cheltenham Science Festival (United Kingdom), his TED talk "Math is forever" has more than 2 million views. He has published several books on popular mathematics and science, hosts the Youtube channel "Derivando" (more than 1.5 million subscribers) and conducts the science TV-show "Órbita Laika" in the national spanish broadcaster La2.

Maria Angelica Cuellar is a Project Manager of Maestro Cares Foundation. Maestro cares improves the quality of life of disadvantaged children and communities in Latin America and the United States. The foundation provides housing, educational programming and the essential resources to support their growth and development. Through these efforts, Maestro Cares is strengthening communities and helping children become tomorrow’s leaders.

Maria Angelica is a visionary business development leader who has navigated multiple industries and geographies throughout her career. She has developed a worldwide executive network while acting as a public/private sector liaison for corporations and investors in Latin America. She has served as Executive Director and co-founder of Incontact Group LLC where she helps companies refine and maximize their core value proposition. She holds a BA from CESA Business School in Bogota, and holds a specialization in Business Strategies, from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Alfredo Galindo-Uribarri is currently Program Director for Nuclear Physics at the National Science Foundation as an IPA coming from the Physics Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) where he is a Distinguished Scientist working in neutrino physics. He has a BSc degree in Physics from UNAM (Mexico; 1981) and a PhD in Physics from the University of Toronto (Canada; 1991) based on the study of charged particles associated with the superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands. He was a Research Fellow at the Nuclear Physics Branch, AECL, Chalk River Laboratory, in Canada and then became a Research Scientist until 1997. He was awarded the Discovery Award, at the Chalk River Laboratories in 1992: “For the development and implementation of a charged-particle detector array (miniball) for nuclear physics research at the 8Pi and other TASCC facilities”.

In 1997 he moved to the Physics Division in Oak Ridge to work at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) where he pioneered the development of advanced spectroscopic particle-gamma techniques for nuclear structure studies. Dr. Galindo-Uribarri research interests include nuclear matter under extreme conditions, radioactive ion beam physics and applications, accelerator mass spectrometry, double beta decay, nuclear instrumentation, polarized targets, neutrino physics and science education.

Since 2005 he is also Professor (Adjunct), at University of Tennessee where he has enjoyed mentoring many graduate students. He was the chairman for the biennial 2016 Nuclear Structure Conference (NS2016); and for the Neutrinos in Nuclear Physics Workshop 2016 held in Knoxville, TN. He has been a referee and a reviewer for major scientific journals and national and international program and facility review committees.

He has published more than 265 papers in high impact refereed journals, and his work has received over 10800 citations (h index = 55). He has given more than 160 invited scientific talks and many invited lectures at international schools in Italy, Mexico and the US. Galindo-Uribarri is involved in the study of neutrinos and is currently member of the PROSPECT, COHERENT and LEGEND collaborations.

Dr. Galindo-Uribarri has been committed to mentoring and developing highly skilled young talent especially from underrepresented minorities. Many have landed prominent positions in academia, industry or research labs. He has been a staunch advocate for Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. Dr Galindo-Uribarri established an internship summer program at ORNL hosting dozens of interns most of them from Latin America.

Valentin Sierra Arias is a Master of Public Policy (MPP) candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School Leadership Institute (HGSLI), and Master of International Economics and Finance (MIEF) from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is a former President of the Colombian Student Society (HCSS) at Harvard University and also represented his peers in the SAIS Student Government. He previously served as analyst for Washington, D.C.-based consulting firms, and also as editor of Vox.LACEA.org, the research portal of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association. His interests lie at the intersection of productivity, competitiveness, informality and sustainable economic development in Colombia, where he hopes to pursue a career in public service.

Valentin holds a B.A. in political science and economics from Saint John’s University (Minnesota), where he served as the first Student Manager of the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic Engagement while also leading the university’s International Affairs Society and Model United Nations team. Valentin also became the first international student in the history of St. John’s University to earn the coveted academic distinction Phi Beta Kappa.

Luis Gilberto was born in Chocó, Colombia. Holds a bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, a master’s degree in Engineering Sciences, and is an expert in public policy. Between 2016 and 2018, he served as the first afrocolombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia. During his tenure, he incremented the protected areas of Colombia, brought ethnic communities to the center of the environmental agenda, created the public policy framework for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and made possible the ratification of important environmental treaties, including the Paris Agreement.

In 2014, he was appointed by President Juan Manuel Santos as director of the presidential initiative Todos Somos Pazcífico, where he led the design and approval of a $400 million loan from the World Bank and IDB for water, sanitation, and renewable energy initiatives for communities in the pacific coast of Colombia. He was elected as Governor of Chocó in 1997 and 2011, promoting the fight against corruption, protection of the environment, and the protection of the rights of rural communities.

He served as Director General of the Corporation for Sustainable Development of Chocó (Codechocó). Later, Bogota’s Mayor Antanas Mockus appointed him as Director of the Department of Environmental Protection of Bogotá (DAMA), and as Deputy Secretary of Planning.

In the year 2000, after being victim of a politically motivated abduction by a paramilitary group in Colombia, he flew to the United States where he was granted political asylum. In this country, he has advocated for increased attention to the critical situation of black and afrocolombian communities, human rights violations, lack of inclusion and of socioeconomic opportunities.

He has worked as Senior International Policy Analyst of the Lutheran World Relief, as well as a consultant for USAID, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Advisor. He was the first afrolatino to testify on a hearing before the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

He was a professor in the Externado University, Santo Tomas University, and the Technological University of Chocó. He was also a Research Fellow at American University’s Center for Latin America and Latino Studies (CLALS), and Martin Luther King Scholar at MIT, as Adviser to the Environmental Solutions Initiate (ESI): the first Colombian national to do so.

Maria Mercedes Copello, born in Bogotá, Colombia, is a lawyer from Universidad del Rosario (1990, Bogotá). She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) with a focus on International Commercial Law from Georgetown University (1992, Washington D.C.), and she is a Specialist in Financial Law from Universidad de los Andes (1995, Bogotá). She worked in the financial and cooperative sector, serving as the Presidential Assistant at Financiera Energética Nacional –FEN (1992-1994), Legal Advisor to the Presidency of Banco de Bogotá (1994-1998), and General Secretary of Banco de Bogotá (2003-2007). In the public sector, she worked from 1998 to 2003, initially at the Banking Superintendence (now Financial) as Coordinator of the Superintendent's Office and Delegate for Financial Intermediation. In 2001, she directed the Guarantee Fund for Cooperative Entities - Fogacoop until 2003.

Since 2007, she has been dedicated to independent consulting and legal advisory in legal and financial risk matters with firms such as T&A Topa y Asociados Ltda., UNO+UNO S.A.S. (currently in liquidation). Concurrently, since 2007, she has been involved with various foundations working for children and education. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Fundación Social por Bogotá, a non-profit organization supported by the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, where she has served as treasurer and president of the Board. She is a volunteer and legal advisor for the Congregation Religiosas de María Inmaculada since 2009 and legal advisor for Fundación Santiago Vergara Crespo since 2014. She has also been a board member of Fundación San Antonio since June 2014 until July 2023, when she was appointed its Executive Director.

With an unyielding passion for social impact, Adriana León's journey from a successful CEO in international trade to a tireless advocate for education and empowerment exemplifies a remarkable transformation.

In her early career, Adriana helmed a thriving trading business, basking in success and fulfillment. Yet, as Colombia's landscape evolved, so did her purpose. Embracing a higher calling, she redirected her energy towards uplifting her nation's most vulnerable youth. As the visionary force behind Aspirantes Virtual, Adriana engineers change akin to her corporate leadership days – assembling dedicated teams of young dreamers, united by shared purpose. Armed with soft skills and unwavering commitment, she paves pathways for underprivileged students to access higher education, fostering professional growth and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Adriana's commitment to education extends beyond Aspirantes Virtual. She serves as a Board member for Enseña por Colombia and Assist Scholars, combating social inequalities and criminal enticements. Her experience as fellow at Harvard's Advanced Leadership Initiative further enriched her arsenal, infusing innovative teaching methodologies and poverty-alleviating strategies.

Adriana envisions a future where education is a beacon of hope. Her unwavering dedication amplifies opportunities for marginalized youth and propels women's empowerment across all spheres. As she continues to redefine success, Adriana León stands as a luminous testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership. Join her at the conference, where her narrative of empowerment promises to ignite inspiration and drive societal evolution.

Raúl Briceño was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2013, he received his PhD in Physics from the University of Washington. He then joined the Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics at Jefferson Lab as a postdoc. After three years as a postdoc, in 2016 he became the Nathan Isgur Research Fellow at Jefferson Lab. Shortly after, in 2017 he started an Assistant Professor position at Old Dominion University with a joint appointment at Jefferson Lab as a Staff Scientist. His research largely focuses on aspects of theoretical nuclear and particle physics. In 2023, he joined the Physics Department with a joint affiliation in the Nuclear Theory group at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

His research as been recognized with the Kenneth G. Wilson Award for Excellence in Lattice Field Theory (2017) and the Department of Energy Early Career Award (2018). Outside of his research, he works on several outreach efforts aimed at making STEM more accessible. Two remarkable examples of these include the Remote Experience for Young Engineers and Scientists (REYES) and the free virtual programming class Python4STEM.

After studying Physics at the University of Warsaw, Professor Boleslaw (Bolek) Wyslouch began his association with MIT in 1983, first as a doctoral student, where he earned a Ph.D. in Physics in 1987. In 1988, he became a postdoctoral associate with MIT’s Laboratory for Nuclear Science (LNS) stationed at CERN, followed by a fellowship at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland in 1988 and 1989. In 1990 he returned to MIT as a postdoctoral associate, before being named an Assistant Professor in 1991. Professor Wyslouch was promoted to Associate Professor without tenure in 1997 and Associate Professor with tenure in July 1998. In July 2002, he was promoted to full Professor. He is currently serving as Director of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science as of 2015 and Director of the Bates Research and Engineering Center since 2018.

Yuliana Palacio is a language professor at the University of Antioquia, known for her deep passion for education, languages, and impactful educational policies that foster a more just and equitable society. With a firm belief in the transformative power of education, she is dedicated to breaking the chains of social inequality prevalent in Colombia. Yuliana's personal journey, having triumphed over a challenging social environment, fuels her commitment to ConEducación.

Having experienced firsthand how education can alter the course of one's life, Yuliana Palacio is resolute in her mission to ensure that underprivileged students have access to quality education, comprehensive guidance, necessary resources, and adequate preparation to pursue their aspirations. Her overarching goal is to contribute significantly to the realization of students' dreams, thereby collectively contributing to the advancement of the nation. Yuliana draws her motivation from the unwavering spirit, aspirations, and resilience of students and teachers alike. Their relentless determination to overcome obstacles and forge ahead serves as a driving force behind Yuliana's unwavering dedication to her educational pursuits.