I am an engineer and researcher working in the field of computational mechanics. Currently, I work as a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Kristin Myers’s soft tissue lab at Columbia University. I am interested in using continuum mechanics theory and computational tools, such as finite element modeling, to understand how materials behave when subjected to dynamic and extreme loading conditions such as impact, shocks, and vibrations. My goal as a researcher is to use computational modeling techniques to help develop new materials with superior performance and sustainable properties. I received my BS in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Colombia, Bogotá, in 2015 and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2021. My experiences navigating academia motivated me to work on service activities to increase diversity in STEM and support students with my mentoring. For example, at Purdue, I served as the president of the Colombia Student Association at Purdue, helping Colombian students acclimate to the new school environment and promoting Colombian culture and research made by Colombians. Currently, I am involved with the Columbia University Postdoc Society (CUPS), where I co-lead the Research and Professional Development Committee. Additionally, I am part of the 2022-2023 cohort of IMPACT fellows, an initiative organized by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).
