Joaquin’s work lies at the intersection of innovation, geopolitics, and sustainability. With a particular interest in responsible innovation, he explores how sustainable development is shaped through complex innovation systems. His current projects touch on some of today’s most pressing challenges—ranging from circular economy models and equitable energy transitions to the role of social innovation in driving just and inclusive change.

His academic journey began with an engineering degree in socio-economic development and environmental studies from Zamorano University, complemented by an exchange at Texas A&M University in 2008. This foundation led him to pursue a master’s degree in environmental security at the United Nations University for Peace, followed by a second master’s in society, science, and technology at the University of Oslo. His doctoral research, supported by the Mohn Centre at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), examined global innovation systems and included research stays at Lund University in Sweden and Pontificia Universidad Católica in Chile.

Over the years, Joaquin has worked across academic institutions and grassroots organizations in El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, the Galápagos Islands, Bolivia, and Norway—gaining firsthand experience with the social and environmental dynamics that shape innovation on the ground. He has also lived, studied, or collaborated professionally in Canada, the United States, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Argentina, and Russia.

Beyond his academic and professional engagements, Joaquin has traveled through more than 50 countries. These journeys—often tied to personal and reflective projects—have deeply influenced his worldview and now serve as the foundation for a forthcoming book, where he explores the human side of innovation, justice, and sustainability.