Sonia Esperanza Reyes Gómez

I am a Chemical Engineer from the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) and hold master's and doctoral degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). With 16 years of experience in R&D, I specialize in the chemical and mechanical recycling of polymeric materials, the production and characterization of biomaterials, and green chemistry.

In 2021, I joined the Institute for Plastic and Rubber Training and Research (ICIPC) for a postdoctoral fellowship funded by Minciencias. During this time, I conducted training sessions, co-coordinated the Sustainable Packaging Cluster, and led R&D projects focused on sustainability, recycling, and the valorization of plastic waste. These projects were supported by prestigious international organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), as well as national entities such as Colombia Productiva.

My professional affiliations include leading the Santander chapter of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and serving as a member of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Roster of Specialists in Chemical Management. I'm also a member of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, the Life Cycle Initiative, the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY), and an honorary member of the Colombian Association of Chemical Engineering and Related Professions (ACIQCA), Atlantic Chapter.

My expertise covers polymeric materials, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), olefin metathesis, organometallic catalysis, and science communication. As an engineering professor and researcher, I have evaluated projects, journal articles, and scientific events, and I am the author of scientific publications and a speaker at national and international events.

I have been recognized with the I National Award for Contribution to Colombian Chemical Engineering 2023 by the Professional Council of Chemical Engineering of Colombia (CPIQ) and the Epic Women Award 2022 in the Engineering category from Level Magazine in partnership with WebCongress.

Currently, I work as a Senior External Consultant Researcher at ICIPC, supporting companies in developing innovative solutions through research and strengthening their sustainability strategies to accelerate their transition toward a circular economy.