Biography

I am a theoretical and computational chemist driven by a deep passion for uncovering the fundamental principles of chemistry and transforming them into practical solutions for real-world challenges, I have a robust record of impactful scientific communication supported by peer-reviewed publications, patents, scientific software development, and frequent dissemination of results through talks, posters, and collaborative engagements. With over a decade of research, teaching, peer-reviewing, and cross-functional collaboration experience, I combine scientific rigor with a strategic mindset, and a strong interest in leading high-impact, interdisciplinary projects.

Currently, I serve as a Principal Scientist at DeepCure AI, where I lead efforts at the intersection of physics-based modeling and machine learning to accelerate molecular design for drug discovery. My role involves not only scientific innovation but also cross-team leadership, project strategy, and communication with stakeholders across research and development. Previously, at PTC Therapeutics, I contributed to the advancement of RNA-targeted small-molecule drug discovery through computational chemistry and scientific software development.

My academic path includes postdoctoral research with Prof. Michael A. Webb at Princeton, developing machine learning models for polymer systems, and with Prof. C. David Sherrill at Georgia Tech, working on high-accuracy quantum chemical methods to model noncovalent interactions in molecular crystals.

I hold a Ph. D. in Chemistry from Purdue, where I worked with Prof. Lyudmila V. Slipchenko on polarizable molecular dynamics and density functional theory. I also completed a Mini-MBA in Applied Management Principles from Purdue's Krannert School of Management, which enhanced my ability to align scientific goals with broader organizational priorities.

Earlier in my career, I was an intern at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a chemistry lecturer at Universidad Icesi, and graduated with honors from Universidad del Valle, consistently ranking in the top 5 of my class.

Personal Information

Education

Postdoctoral Research

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molecular Modeling
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering - Princeton University - Princeton, NJ, USA

Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Chemistry
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Georgia Institute of Technology - Atlanta, GA, USA

Graduate Studies

Ph.D. in Chemistry
Department of Chemistry - Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN, USA

Executive Programs

Applied Management Principles Mini-MBA Program
Krannert School of Management - Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN, USA

Undergraduate Studies

Professional (5-Year) Degree with Honors in Chemistry
Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas - Universidad del Valle - Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Experience

Research in Academia

Development of Machine Learning Models to Optimize the Synthesis of Single-enzyme Polymer Nanoparticles

Adviser: Prof. Michael A. Webb
Princeton University - Princeton, NJ, USA

Development of Computational Methods Applied to Molecular Crystals

Adviser: Prof. C. David Sherrill
Georgia Institute of Technology - Atlanta, GA, USA

Modular Implementation of Tkatchenko-Scheffler Model for van der Waals interaction

Advisers: Dr. Alfredo A. Correa and Dr. Xavier I. Andrade
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - Livermore, CA, USA

Theory Development for the Accurate Description of Environment Effects on Quantum Simulations

Adviser: Prof. Lyudmila V. Slipchenko
Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN, USA

Charge distributions in carbon nanopores via Density Functional Theory

Advisers: Prof. Lyudmila V. Slipchenko and Prof. Adam Wasserman
Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN, USA

Molecular Modeling of Water-Absorbent Materials at the Nano-Scale

Adviser: Prof. Carlos A. Arango
Universidad Icesi - Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Computational Study of the Interactions between Carbon Nanotube/DNA Hybrids and Simple Molecules Relevant in Chemical Sensing

Adviser: Prof. Julio C. Arce
Universidad del Valle - Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Teaching

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN, USA

Part-Time Lecturer

Universidad Icesi - Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Honors and Awards

Princeton University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Purdue University

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Universidad Icesi

Universidad del Valle

Colegio Berchmans

Professional Affiliations

Languages

Computer Skills

Operating Systems

Programming Languages

Computational Chemistry Packages

Others